How Switching Your Ragdoll from Dry Food Can Resolve Hairball Issues

If I had a nickel for every time a reader e-mails me about a problem with their kitty, 95% of the time, it’s a dry food issue. That is, the kitty eating dry food is causing a problem – whether it’s a UTI, hairball issues, diabetes, etc. Fortunately, if the kitties are switched from another food other than dry food, the issue is usually resolved. I am so passionate about no dry food for kitties. Below is an awesome success story – fortunately, I get these often in my inbox and really should share them more often because it’s so exciting! I am so happy for Pepper & Rigsby and their humans – please see the last correspondence to see the benefits of being off of dry food!

Pepper & Rigsby’s mom sent me an e-mail on October 27, 2014 stating:

We thought we would write you and ask a few things regarding diet & hairballs. Our male, Rigsby seems to have them every now and then. We know it’s common, but wanted to make sure are doing everything we can to help.

Our cats (who are now 10.5 months) are currently on Blue Buffalo Freedom Indoor Grain Free dry during the day and the wet version at night. We are looking to eventually move them to wet both morning and night. Are there other things we can do for the diet to help with the digestion of these? I have read pumpkin, food geared toward hairballs, etc…but wanted your thoughts.

We are also open to other food brands (not sure if we are at the “raw” stage) that are good all natural foods that you suggest and we could transition to.

Thanks for your advice!

I replied:

My goodness – are they gorgeous!!

My guess is that it’s the dry food. Have you read catinfo.org?

Dr. Jean also told me about Vaseline in this interview – but that’s not necessary usually if there is no dry food.

Pepper & Rigsby’s mom replied:

Thank you and thanks for the additional read- we did not see before. We are definitely going to make the switch to wet food, clearly the benefits are worth it.

We appreciate your thoughts!

On December 16, 2014, Pepper & Rigsby’s mom wrote me to tell me:

I wanted give you an update on our kitties – because of your suggestions and who knows how much research, they have officially been off dry food for 1 month! One (Rigsby) had no issue, the other (Pepper)…well, she’s was an addict and took a little more convincing! She would eat it but it wasn’t filling enough for her…so we supplemented with raw, freeze dried chicken for “crunch” & rewarded her with Greenies…again she likes the crunch! We use blue buffalo right now, but the next step is a higher quality wet food once they are well adjusted.

What we noticed:

• Reduced poop smell
• Consistent poop schedule
• More urine
• They Drink less water
• They weren’t overweight, but our female has become leaner
• Coats are smoother
• More active ( ok that’s the downside – LOL) as it takes more time to wind them down!
• Almost no coughing up hair balls – I would say almost non existent…but we do work so not always there.

Thanks again for posting this great information!
Wishing you and your guys a wonderful holiday!

Learn about how we went about transitioning Charlie and Trigg from dry food to wet food only