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FREEZE-DRIED RAW · CAT FEEDING GUIDE

Feeding for Hairball Control

If your cat regularly coughs up hairballs, the cause starts at the dinner bowl. Cats are obligate carnivores, and the smoother and more complete their digestion, the more easily swallowed fur passes through instead of collecting in the stomach.

Freeze-dried raw is meat, organ and moisture — the diet a cat's gut is built to run on. A highly digestible, meat-first meal keeps things moving and, paired with good hydration, can ease how often hairballs form.

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    A healthy Hairball Control cat
    iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

    What your cat actually needs

    Cats are obligate carnivores — they're built to run on meat, organ and moisture. Here's what matters most.

    • Self-grooming carnivore

      Needs: A highly digestible, meat-first meal so swallowed fur passes through

      Freeze-dried raw is muscle meat, organ and bone with no plant filler — easy to digest, so fur is more likely to move through than collect.

    • Low thirst drive

      Needs: Moisture in the meal, not just the water bowl

      Rehydrated raw is a high-moisture meal that keeps the gut lubricated and digestion moving — a key lever against hairball buildup.

    • Obligate carnivore

      Needs: High animal protein from real meat and organ

      A meat-and-organ raw diet delivers the protein a cat's body actually runs on, supporting a healthy gut and a strong, glossy coat.

    • Poor carbohydrate metabolism

      Needs: A very low carb, low-filler load

      Meat-first raw keeps carbs and indigestible filler minimal, so the digestive tract isn't bogged down and fur transit stays smooth.

    • Coat that sheds year-round

      Needs: Omega-rich animal fats for skin and coat

      Fish-based raw recipes are naturally rich in omega fats that support skin and a healthy coat, which can mean less loose fur swallowed.

    How much to feed your cat

    Quick answer: portion freeze-dried raw by your cat's ideal weight — about 0.13 oz per pound per day (a 10 lb cat ≈ 1.3 oz), split across two or more small meals. Kittens need more; seniors and indoor cats a little less. Feed to a lean body, not the bag.

    Ideal adult weightFreeze-dried per dayPer meal (×2)
    6 lb 0.8 oz 0.4 oz
    8 lb 1.0 oz 0.5 oz
    10 lb 1.3 oz 0.7 oz
    12 lb 1.6 oz 0.8 oz
    15 lb 2.0 oz 1.0 oz
    18 lb 2.3 oz 1.2 oz

    Starting points for a moderately active adult cat (~0.13 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Kittens need roughly double per pound; indoor and senior cats a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.

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    What to feed your cat

    Build the bowl around complete-and-balanced freeze-dried raw recipes that are high in animal protein and low in carbohydrate, so the meal is easy to digest with no plant filler to slow things down. Rotate proteins to broaden the nutrient base and keep a picky cat interested.

    Land Animal's cat recipes are meat-first and gently freeze-dried to preserve nutrition, then rehydrate to a high-moisture meal. A naturally fiber-light, highly digestible diet plus moisture supports the smooth gut transit that helps keep hairballs in check.

    Recipes for cats

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    Feeding by life stage

    • Kitten: Kittens groom less and rarely have hairball trouble, but starting them on a digestible, high-moisture raw diet builds good gut habits early; feed more often as they grow.
    • Adult: Adults groom the most and form the most hairballs — hold a lean weight on two-plus measured, rehydrated meals a day to keep digestion regular.
    • Senior: Seniors need more digestible protein and moisture to protect muscle and keep the gut moving; smaller, more frequent meals help fur pass through comfortably.

    Common concerns — and the diet connection

    • Hairball frequencyA highly digestible, meat-first diet plus the moisture in rehydrated raw supports smooth gut transit, which can help swallowed fur pass through rather than build up.
    • HydrationCats have a naturally low thirst drive; the moisture in rehydrated raw helps keep the digestive tract lubricated and supports healthy digestion.
    • Skin & coatReal animal protein and omega-rich fish support a healthy skin barrier and glossy coat, which can mean less loose fur shed and swallowed.
    • Healthy weightA measured, protein-dense raw portion supports a lean body and steady digestion without leaving an indoor, hairball-prone cat hungry.

    Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.

    Feeding your cat: what to know

    Feed a hairball-prone cat to their ideal body weight on two or more small, measured meals a day. Steady, frequent meals suit a cat's natural grazing rhythm and keep digestion regular, which helps fur move through rather than sit.

    Rehydrate freeze-dried raw with a little warm water at every meal — the added moisture is one of the biggest levers you have for smooth digestion. Keep grooming up alongside diet, always offer fresh water, and re-check the portion against body condition every few weeks.

    Cat feeding questions

    What is the best food for a cat with hairballs?
    A highly digestible, meat-first diet with plenty of moisture. Complete-and-balanced freeze-dried raw is high in animal protein and low in filler, and rehydrates to a high-moisture meal that supports smooth digestion and can ease hairball frequency.
    How does diet affect hairballs?
    The easier a meal is to digest, the more readily swallowed fur passes through the gut instead of collecting in the stomach. A meat-first, low-carb diet plus good hydration supports the smooth gut transit that helps keep hairballs in check.
    How much freeze-dried raw should I feed a hairball-prone cat?
    About 0.13 oz per pound of ideal body weight per day — roughly 1.3 oz for a 10 lb cat — split across two or more small meals. Rehydrate each meal with a little warm water and adjust to body condition.
    Does adding moisture to food help with hairballs?
    Yes — moisture is one of the biggest dietary levers. Rehydrating freeze-dried raw with warm water keeps the gut lubricated and digestion moving, which supports fur passing through smoothly.
    Can switching to raw reduce hairballs?
    Many cats on a digestible, meat-first raw diet with good hydration form hairballs less often. Transition gradually over 7-10 days, keep up regular grooming, and always provide fresh water.
    How do I switch my cat to raw?
    Go slowly over 7-10 days, mixing a bit more raw into the current food each day. Cats can be neophobic, so warming the food to release aroma and staying patient both help.

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    • Obligate-carnivore formulated
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    • Pathogen-tested every batch

    • "My picky indoor cat actually finishes her bowl now — and she's drinking less because the food has real moisture back in it."

      — Dana & Miso

    • "Switching our senior to raw was easier than I expected. He's more playful and his coat looks incredible."

      — Theo & Pepper
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    Portions are starting points for freeze-dried raw and AAFCO complete-and-balanced recipes. Always feed to your individual cat's body condition and ask your vet about specific health needs.