Recently, we have been having a bit of trouble with our beautiful longhaired cat, Snoopy. Actually the trouble has been there for the past 16 years but it has recently intensified.

The Problem? Snoopy has been vomiting hairballs. Since he has long hair and takes great pains to groom himself, it is only natural that the hairballs develop. However, it is a truly unpleasant experience for him to spend as much time as he does, either gagging or throwing up the hairballs. May I also make the observation that it is equally unpleasant for me to be constantly hearing him with the dry (or way too often productive) heaves. With the hairballs comes whatever else he has recently eaten.

Gross, to say the least. Uncomfortable for him to experience is an understatement. The final part of this equation is my own weak stomach because although I don’t have long fur or hairballs stuck in my throat, I do get the gagging reflex each time I clean up after him.

So, how can I stop gagging?

Enter: Hill’s Science Diet Hairball Control Formula Light for cats 1 + Years.

Slogan on the bag: What Vets Feed Their Pets.

Now I personally don’t know many veterinarians that talk about cleaning up hairballs after their cats, so I decided that I’d give this formula a try. Snoopy loves the Feline Senior (Snoopy is 16 so qualifies in cat years as a senior) and so I decided that he would also love the HairBall formula. The HairBall formula can be bought either in adult control formula or Control for Seniors (7 years old and older.)

To try it out, I bought the smallest bag which was 3.5lbs. The cost, at my local pet store, was $8.59 a bag. Not cheap, but definitely worth it if it stops the problem. (Did I mention that he favors unloading the hairballs first thing in the morning????)

The package states that hairballs may form in your cat’s throat or stomach after self-grooming. They cause irritation. Natural vegetable fibers help move hair through your cat’s system. This formula contains this needed natural vegetable fiber and:

37% carbohydrate
9% fiber
8% fat
6% vitamins and minerals
40% protein

It is balanced for health and longevity plus high fiber and low fat that help with weight control in older cats. There's no "fat cats" at this house. It also contains all the essential fatty acids vital for nervous and immune system wellness plus health skin and a shiny coat

Along with all of that, the package says that it has high quality protein to help maintain strong skeletal, muscle, and organ systems. All 13 essential amino acids including taurine to help ensure optimal heart and eye health.It has digestible carbohydrates to help supply energy and is enriched with essential vitamins and minerals. Protects your cat with 100% of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of 23 vitamins and minerals for maximum health including: calcium (strong bones and teeth); selenium (healthy immune function); iron (builds red blood cells); zinc (healthy skin and shiny coat); choline (nerve health); vitamin A (supports vision and immunity); B vitamins (proper metabolism); Vitamin D (calcium absorption).

With all of this, I figured that I couldn’t go wrong. But, I forgot one thing. For it to work, Snoopy had to eat it. And there was my problem. He didn’t like it.

I have absolutely no idea why because its composition is almost identical to the Scientific Diet Feline Senior that he loves. The shape is different but they are relatively the same color and texture but…Snoopy could tell the difference. It may be that he is just very picky or that he is so used to the other food that he won’t eat anything else.

I allowed him to get hungry enough to feel that some food was better than no food. (Besides, I’d spent almost nine dollars on this bag and didn’t plan to waste it unless I saw that he ate nothing.) He would eat it and meow unhappily and hungrily most of the day.

During this “picky eater” experience, I will say that he did not have the degree of hairball problems that he’d previously been having. So I definitely do think that this is a great product and that it will work. I even venture a guess that most cats will like the flavor. It did not however, please Snoopy. (Do you think that he thought it was diet food because of the low fat? Do you think that he didn’t like the shape? Do you think that he likes to give me a morning surprise?)

Some other helpful information for cat owners that is included on the bag:

CATS PREFER FOOD SERVED IN SHALLOW BOWLS.

CATS NEED FRESH WATER AT ALL TIMES

IF YOU SWITCH FROM CANNED TO DRY FOOD MAKE CERTAIN YOUR CAT DRINKS AN ADEQUATE AMOUNT OF WATER TO REDUCE THE RISK OF CONSTIPATION.

And strange, but true according to the bag:


IMPORTANT: DO NOT FEED ONIONS OR TABLE SCRAPS. THEY CAN CAUSE HEALTH PROBLEMS.


WEBSITE: HTTP://WWW.HILLSPET.COM

I think that this is a fine, healthy food for your cat and they guarantee Satisfaction 100% (if you want to take the time to return the bag if your cat doesn’t like it) on the handy plastic coated bag that contains the food. They even have an expiration date to insure freshness.

So, even though Snoopy doesn’t like this particular formula, I recommend it to you. Science Diet makes healthy cat foods and this formula did cut down on the number of hairballs that he produced while using it. Plus, if your cat doesn’t like it, you can return it because it carries a 100% guarantee of satisfaction.







Recommended: Yes