Effects of Combined Use of Keratinolytic Enzymes and Sugarcane Fibre on Hairball Excretion in Cats

The study, involving 24 mixed-breed adult cats, examined the effects of combining keratinolytic enzymes and sugarcane fiber on hairball excretion. Over 59 days, cats were fed different diets, including a high-fiber diet with or without a protease complex. Results showed that the combination of high-fiber diet and enzyme supplementation significantly reduced hairball excretion compared to the control group, although it did not affect hairball size distribution. While insoluble fibers decreased hairball excretion, they also reduced nutrient digestibility, and enzyme supplementation alone did not enhance digestibility. The study suggested this combination as a potential strategy for managing hairball issues in cats, despite the need for better faecal hairball quantification methods.