If you were looking for cat food to reduce shedding and hair loss, we found eight brands to check out. Our detailed reviews can help, but check with a veterinarian before making a dietary transition.
Disclaimer: The foods reviewed here were chosen because they have certain characteristics that might help with some of the causes or consequences of this medical condition. However, they are not a medical treatment or a substitute for medical treatment. Keep in mind that each medical case is different and what works for some pets may not work for others. A veterinarian is the right person to advise you on the best diet for your pet’s individual case.
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A Glance at Our Winners in 2026
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Best Overall
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Smalls Smooth Bird Recipe (Fresh Cat Food Subscription) |
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Budget Buy
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Purina ONE Hairball Adult Formula |
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Royal Canin Hairball Care Cat Food |
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Taste of the Wild Grain-Free Dry Cat Food |
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American Journey Grain-Free Cat Food |
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The 9 Best Cat Foods for Shedding & Hair Loss
1. Smalls Smooth Bird Recipe (Fresh Cat Food Subscription) – Best Overall
Smalls Smooth Bird recipe contains human-grade ingredients, which are gently cooked and shredded into a smooth texture, making it the best cat food for shedding and hair loss. The recipe includes high-quality ingredients, such as chicken thigh, chicken breast, and chicken liver. Because chicken thigh is the first ingredient, this formula is higher in protein than most commercial cat foods.
On top of the chicken, Smooth Bird also includes a variety of veggies, such as green beans, peas, and kale. The only protein source is chicken; for cats with sensitive stomachs, sticking with one protein source is often best. Therefore, we also recommend Smooth Bird for those with troubled tummies.
Like all Smalls recipes, it features only USDA-certified and sustainably sourced ingredients. Plus, because it only contains sustainably sourced ingredients, many consider it better for the environment than other brands.
All Smalls recipes are made in the USA and prepared in kitchens throughout the United States. They thoroughly test all of their foods for salmonella and other food-borne illnesses in small batches to ensure they are safe and healthy for your feline.
- Sustainably-sourced ingredients
- Made in the USA
- Includes chicken as the first ingredient
- High in fat and protein
- One animal source
- More expensive than regular kibble
- Only available on their website
2. Purina ONE Hairball Adult Formula Dry Cat Food – Budget Buy
If your kitty doesn’t stop licking until they have bald patches, you may want to look at the Purina ONE Hairball Adult Formula Dry Cat Food. It can help with hairballs while providing total nutrition. Plus, it’s the best cat food for shedding and hair loss for the money.
This recipe is full of fiber to combat hairballs, making digestion a seamless process. One cup of the kibble contains 445 calories. Purina ONE contains 34% crude protein, 14% crude fat, 4.5% crude fiber, and 12.0% moisture.
It’s carefully crafted to provide natural fiber while catering to your feline’s health needs. If you’re on a budget and want to save as much as possible while feeding an adequate diet, check out Purina ONE Hairball to reduce shedding.
- Affordable
- Reduces hairball production
- Provides easily digestive ingredients
- SmartBlend nutrients
- Might not work for all issues
3. Royal Canin Hairball Care Dry Cat Food
If money is no object, look into Royal Canin Hairball Care Dry Cat Food. It is pricier, but it provides high-quality ingredients. Royal Canin carefully crafts its recipes, and its Hairball Care targets the problem of too many hairballs.
In each cup of kibble, there are 338 calories. There is also 32% crude protein, 13% crude fat, 8.4% crude fiber, and 8% moisture. Due to the high amount of fiber, it smooths digestion, preventing hairball formation.
In addition, the recipe includes psyllium seed husk, which has insoluble fibers to help as well. The main ingredients also meet the required nutritional profiles for overall health. However, if hairballs aren’t your main concern, this probably won’t bring a lot of benefit to your kitty.
- High in fiber
- Meets all nutritional profiles
- Specifically formulated for hairballs
- Trusted brand
- Might not match your cat’s issue
4. Taste of the Wild Canyon River Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
If your grain-allergy sufferer has hair loss issues, Taste of the Wild Canyon River Grain-Free Dry Cat Food is an exceptionally healthy choice. It is a bit expensive, but it quickly pays for itself in results.
Taste of the Wild prides itself on offering protein as the main ingredient, creating solid muscles and healthy hair growth. Each cup contains 350 calories. It contains 32% crude protein, 16% crude fat, 3% crude fiber, and 10% moisture.
Another perk to Taste of the Wild is that it contains live probiotics to aid gut health. It also has healthy vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids to give your cat the necessary nutrition. It’s a low-calorie meal and works well for indoor cats.
- Promotes hair growth
- No grains
- Live probiotics to aid in digestion
- Great for indoor cats
- Not all cats need grain-free diets
- Pricey
5. American Journey Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
American Journey Grain-Free Dry Cat Food is one of our favorites for combating shedding issues. It’s full of all the nutrients your cat needs to stay healthy. Deboned salmon is the first ingredient, which provides an irritant-free protein-rich diet. Each cup contains 410 calories. Each serving contains 40% crude protein, 15% crude fat, 4% crude fiber, and 10% moisture.
American Journey contains taurine, vitamins, and minerals that replenish the body and keep organs in tip-top shape. The omega-fatty acids soothe the skin and keep coats shiny. This protein-dense dry kibble is an ideal recipe for house cats struggling with sensitivities.
It’s made in the USA with trusted ingredients. However, grain-free recipes aren’t necessary for all cats. Please consult a veterinarian before switching to grain-free cat food.
- No irritating ingredients
- Lots of vitamins and minerals
- High protein improves coat
- Not all cats benefit from grain-free diets
6. Instinct Original Grain-Free Pate Wet Canned Cat Food
If your kitty is partial to a wet food diet and you’re looking for a brand that helps with shedding the Instinct Original Grain-Free Pate Wet Canned Cat Food. It has no grains, is soft to chew, and has all the ingredients that help your cat thrive. It contains real meat, vegetables, and savory broth to stimulate taste buds.
Cage-free chicken is the first ingredient, and each can contain 193 calories per serving. It has 10% crude protein, 7.5% crude fat, 3% crude fiber, and 78% moisture.
Many cats don’t drink enough water, and Instinct Original can help you hydrate your furry pal. You can use it as a standalone diet or add it in with their daily dry kibble. Be mindful if you use it as a solitary diet since some cats are prone to weight gain.
- Cage-free chicken is the first ingredient
- Chunks of real meat
- Soft to chew
- No grains
- Can cause weight gain
- Grain-free is not for every cat
7. Blue Buffalo Indoor Hairball Control Adult Dry Cat Food
Blue Buffalo works directly with nutritionists to target specific health issues, like hairballs. Blue Buffalo Indoor Hairball Control Adult Dry Cat Food is an ideal pick for your house cat. It is tailored to meet the needs of indoor cats while helping them pass their fur without issues.
The first ingredient is real deboned chicken, and in one serving, there are 397 calories. There is 32% crude protein, 15% crude fat, 6% crude fiber, and 9% moisture. It also has several fatty acids to keep the skin and fur healthy.
Each Blue Buffalo recipe has LifeSource Bits, which are antioxidant-packed soft kibble pieces. They give your cat a kick of free-radical-eliminating nutrients for optimal health, and the brown rice also helps with digestion.
- Tailored for indoor cats
- High fiber
- Real deboned chicken is the number one ingredient
- LifeSource Bits
- Won’t work for every hair issue
8. Go! SENSITIVITIES Limited Ingredient Dry Cat Food
If your kitty is having hair loss issues due to an irritating ingredient in their regular kibble, check out Go! Sensitivities Limited Ingredient Dry Cat Food. It is grain, gluten, potato, and filler-free. It contains dried chicory root, which is a natural prebiotic fiber for sensitive tummies.
This cat food for hair loss recipe has a high-calorie count of 464 calories per serving. It contains 31% crude protein, 15% crude fat, 3.5% crude fiber, and 10% moisture. It also has ash, magnesium, and fatty acids that feed the body. Many cats are sensitive to common proteins like beef, fish, and chicken, but this recipe uses cage-free duck instead.
It only contains six key ingredients, which is ideal for cats on limited-ingredient diets. Again, grain-free isn’t the answer for every cat, so consult a veterinarian unless your cat has a known grain allergy.
- Free of fillers, potatoes, grains, and gluten
- Novel protein
- 6 key ingredients
- Prebiotic support
- High calories
- For grain-sensitive cats only
9. Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Pate Canned Cat Food
Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Pate Canned Cat Food is a protein-rich wet cat food recipe that is sure to appeal to your feline. The savory taste of chicken, turkey, and liver is combined with a nutritious medley of antioxidants, omega fatty acids, and taurine for immunity, skin, and muscle support.
This grain-free recipe contains 101 calories per can. There is 12% crude protein, 7% crude fat, 0.5% crude fiber, and 78.0% moisture. It’s a perfect way to give your cat an extra kick of hydration and protein.
With added cranberry, it also supports urinary health and digestion. It has absolutely no harmful fillers, artificial preservatives, or dyes. It does contain potato, however, which is a known irritant for many cats.
- Three meat medley
- Supports urinary and digestive health
- Contains no harmful additives
- Not for cats with potato allergies
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing Cat Food To Help With Shedding & Hair Loss
Shedding is normal for most cats. However, sometimes it’s excessive, which is an issue that needs to be addressed. In addition to diet changes, veterinarian attention might be a requirement to alleviate some of the behaviors. So, let’s go over some of the reasons your cat might have problems with hairballs, hair loss, and bulk shedding.
What Are Hairballs?
A hairball is a collection of fur in a cat’s stomach that can’t be digested. It can pass through the tract, or your cat might regurgitate the clump. Many breeds, including those with long hair, occasionally hack up hairballs. While it’s normal, having a proper diet can reduce the effects. Also, it might be a bigger issue for some cats, causing irritation and other problems.
Do Indoor Cats Shed Seasonally?
Cats shed year-round, especially if they are only indoors. Outdoor cats, or those who alternate between, can experience heavy shedding in the springtime as they lose their winter coats.
Can You Stop Cat Shedding?
Shedding is a standard part of cat-owning. Unless you have a Sphynx cat or other hairless variety, all cats shed. Even downy-haired cats like the Devon Rex shed lightly.
What Conditions Lead to Excessive Hair Loss?
If you have a problem with your cat excessively shedding, it can have multiple causes. It’s best to work with a vet to perform the necessary testing to uncover the root cause. Here are some triggers for bulk hair loss:
- Food Allergies: A dietary sensitivity is a prevalent reason cats might experience hair loss. Not all food allergies are the same. If your cat has an allergy, you might have to perform food trials and testing to find the trigger. Typically, cat food allergies stem from a protein source but may also develop from grains or artificial additives in the recipe.
- Excessive Grooming: If your cat is anxious or overzealous, they might lick themselves until they develop bald patches. It might also be a display of nervousness or anxiety.
- Flea Allergies: Every cat owner knows how important flea treatment is for our felines and homes, and some cats can have an allergic response to flea bites.
- Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism is a disease when your cat’s thyroid produces too few hormones, causing an under-activity of the gland. It can have several signs, but brittle hair and hair loss are common.
- Fungal Infections: Fungal infections on the skin, like ringworm, can irritate the area, causing patches of lost hair. It might also cause intense itching, which may lead to biting, scratching, and hair-pulling.
Common Food Allergies in Cats
Like us, our cats can develop allergies from different causes. Many food-related issues can cause sensitivities to spark in cats. However, some of the most common triggers for cat allergies are protein sources. Common meat like chicken, beef, and fish can cause stomach issues in some cats.
Though grain-free diets are hot on the market these days, grain sensitivities only make up a small percentage of allergies in cats. Cats might also be sensitive to a number of other ingredients in their cat food, like corn, wheat, soy, dairy, eggs, and artificial additives. In those situations, vets might recommend dietary changes to combat the problem once they find the reason behind it.
What Are Signs of Allergies for Cats?
While every cat might display different symptoms, normal symptoms of allergies include:
- Recurring yeast infections on the skin
- Recurring ear infections
- Excessive or intense scratching
- Wheezing, sneezing, or hacking
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Bloating
Only a vet can determine if your cat has allergies. They will likely look for triggers through blood testing, examination, or food trials.
If you need to speak with a vet but can't get to one, head over to PangoVet. It's an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!
Why Does Diet Matter?
Some causes of hair loss have nothing to do with their diet. But many times, some ingredient in their cat food causes trouble in their digestive system. Weeding out each ingredient in food trials can pinpoint the problem so you can craft a recipe to soothe your kitty.
Feeding your cat a high-quality diet is important for keeping them healthy and happy. But it goes beyond the food you choose; the dishes they use also matter. The Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl is our favorite for its unique, five-star design that protects from whisker fatigue and promotes good posture which also aids in better digestion. As an added bonus, it’s beautifully crafted and offers a modern take on the traditional cat bowl that fits seamlessly with all home stylings. Learn more about the NomNom by clicking here. At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company! 
How We Selected Our List of Cat Foods for Shedding & Hair Loss
Catster has an experienced, expert team of writers, editors, and veterinarians who carefully consider a wide range of parameters when choosing the cat foods. This includes but is not limited to customer reviews, brand reputation, veterinary experience, hands-on testing, and of course, our cats have a say in the process too! We aim to select and review only the best products available, to help you make the best possible choice and most informed decision for your and your cat’s needs.
Why Trust Catster?
A trusted online brand since 2001, Catster has a lot of experience with cat food. Our team of cat-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians is dedicated to helping you make the best decision for your precious cats. Our aim is to provide the best information available for cat owners to help cats live their best life possible. To do this, we scour reviews from the most trusted sources available and this, combined with our veterinary team’s experience and expertise, helps us gather the best options available to readers. Our team is deeply invested in the health and welfare of cats the world over, and believes that expert knowledge and veterinary guidance will help you make the right choices—for you and your cats!
Conclusion
Above others, the Smalls Smooth Bird recipe contains all human-grade ingredients, which are then gently cooked and shredded into a smooth texture. The nutritious recipe includes chicken thigh, chicken breast, and chicken liver and is the overall best cat food for shedding & hair loss.
If you want a more affordable brand, glance at Purina ONE +PLUS Hairball Formula Adult Dry Cat Food. It is easily digestible and full of fiber, which reduces hairballs in the tract. This recipe might not work for every situation, but it’s worth looking at when excessive grooming is a problem.
We hope these reviews helped you make an informed purchase!
Related Reads:
- Does My Cat Need Breed-Specific Food? Vet-Approved Nutritional Advice
- Food Sources of Thiamine for Cats (Vitamin B1): Vet Reviewed Options
Featured Image Credit: Jaromir Chalabala, Shutterstock
