You know the awful sound: your cat retching and gagging as they cough up a hairball. Cats are meticulous groomers, and while regular brushing helps reduce the chances, hairballs can and still do happen.
Though you might not be able to eliminate them completely, you can minimize the occurrence with a homemade treat that supports health and tastes great. The fiber and oil help the hairballs move through the digestive system so your furry companion can pass them more comfortably. We’re not kitten around when we say they leave your kitty feline good.
Great treats to help with my hairballs. Meow! – Dunkin
Pumpkin Cat Treats for Helping Cat Hairballs
Ingredients
- 1-1/4 cup brown rice flour
- 1/3 cup pumpkin canned (not pumpkin pie mix)
- 1 brown egg
- 3 Tbsp. flax ground
- 3 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2 Tbsp. water
- 1 Tbsp. catnip, optional
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Set a sheet of parchment paper the size of your baking sheet to the side.
2. In medium bowl, combine all ingredients; mix thoroughly. Wrap dough in plastic wrap. Let rest 5 minutes.
3. Unwrap dough; knead a few times. On parchment paper, roll dough out to 1/4” thickness.
4. Using a pizza cutter, cut narrow strips vertically or horizontally. If dough starts sticking, wipe off cutter. Repeat in the opposite direction. When finished, you should have a patchwork grid.
5. Transfer parchment paper to cookie sheet. Bake 10 minutes.
6. Remove cookie sheet from oven. Using a spatula or your oven-mitted hands, break up treat grid. Spread bits around evenly and return to the oven.
7. Bake 10 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool. Or, bake 10 minutes and turn oven off; leave in oven for several hours or overnight.
Recipe Notes
Recipe Notes
Feeding Instructions
IMPORTANT: Hairballs are normally harmless, but not always. Talk to your vet if your cat develops a swollen or hard belly or has difficulty pooping, attempts to vomit but nothing comes up or experiences repeated coughing.
Shelf-life & Storage
These treats will last 4 to 6 weeks when kept stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Refrigerate for longer shelf-life. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months. If your cat doesn’t have dental issues, frozen treats are safe to eat.
