Malt for Cats: Which Is the Best of 2023?

Looking for the best malt for your cat? Check out our top picks for 2023 and keep your feline friend healthy and happy.

When you decide that a cat will be part of your family and your home, you acquire a responsibility with it. No matter how independent these pets may seem, when living with people their well-being will largely depend on the care provided to them. They not only need quality food for their day to day, but there are essential supplements.

Malt for cats is one of these basic products that cannot be missing in a household with a cat. The objective is to keep the digestive system of the pussy healthy so that it does not suffer from the ailments or discomfort caused by the hairballs that are created when the animal is groomed. In the following lines you will learn more about this product and also more about your pet.

The most important

• When cats wash, they do it with their tongue. And this is dragging the dead hair and the animal ingests it. This can create hairballs in various parts of the digestive system and can be dangerous and painful. The malt helps to eliminate these balls through the stool.
• Malt also comes with other extra nutrients that are good for a cat’s body such as protein. And, in addition, they provide moisture and we must not forget that these pets obtain hydration through food, rather than through the water itself.
• When buying cat malt, you have to look carefully at the ingredients it includes, the nutrients, and make sure that it does not include extra elements that are unnecessary and, sometimes, harmful to the body of a cat. We will delve into it in the purchase criteria.

The best cat malt on the market: our recommendations

In this section you have access to a compilation of the most popular cat malt products among buyers. And also, you will find a detailed summary of the characteristics of each of them. We want to help you to be well informed before making a decision on which malt is best for your cat. Don’t miss this list

• The most complete malt for cats
• Online users’ favorite cat malt
• The most effective malt for cats
• The best malt in cat food
• The best multivitamin malt for cats

The most complete malt for cats

This GimCat brand paste comes packaged in a tube. It is made with vegetable derivatives (43.7% malt extract and 4% cellulose), oils and fats (31%) and yeasts (contains 1% beta-glucan). The goal is to prevent hairballs from growing in your cat’s gut. Its manufacturers highlight the good taste of the product for these animals.

The recipe does not contain lactose, colorants, preservatives or flavorings, unnecessary products for the body of a cat. This malt, made in Germany, comes in a 200 gram container. In terms of nutrients, it has 5.5% protein, 38.5% fat, 5% crude ash, 2.5% fiber and 12% moisture. They should be given about 6 centimeters a day.

Online users’ favorite cat malt

This product has 62% malt, which is complemented by other products made of oils, fats and sugars, as indicated by the manufacturer. This pasta contains 36.1% fat and 3.1% protein. Crude ashes comprise 1.3% of the total product and fiber is 1%. It is a product that stands out for its affordable price.

Buyers agree that the 240 gram pot lasts a long time, as offering 1 to 3 grams of malt a day to the cat is sufficient (3 grams only if you think they have a hairball congestion). With the heat of the summer months, the pasta is very soft and it is recommended to keep the jar in the fridge to make it more dense.

The most effective malt for cats

This malt, explains the seller, works as a mild laxative used for the treatment and prevention of hairballs that form in the digestive system of cats. 51% of the total of this 50 gram pot is malt extract. It also contains 1% crude ash and fat. Proteins are 2.8% of the total of this mass.

15% of the total ingredients is moisture. Buyers value its efficiency and say it works by giving them once every 15 to 20 days for this malt to work, although manufacturers say it is more convenient to give a small dose once a week. The paste can be given directly into the cat’s mouth or smeared on its front paws.

The best malt in cat food

This product, popular with people who want malt for their pets, is actually I think that it integrates this ingredient in large quantities. But, unlike other items on this listing, it is not a wet dough. In its ingredients there are turkey in 16%, dehydrated poultry proteins, whole wheat in 10% and the same amount of rice.

It also includes small amounts of corn protein, vegetable and pork fiber, and animal fat, as well as beet pulp and malt extract. It is a mid-range feed that is offered as a complete food that includes malt, and not as an extra. Although some recommend that it be a supplement and is complemented with other foods.

The best multivitamin malt for cats

This malt includes Omega 3 and 6 complexes in order, according to its manufacturers, to offer the cat cellular protection. It also includes 12 essential vitamins and 1% beta-glucan. 12% of the ingredients is fish oil. Serves cats of all ages and breeds. In addition, 5% of its components are proteins and 36% are fats.

12% of the total product is moisture, it also contains 5.5% of crude ash and 2.5% of fibers that help the transit of the malt hand. In the extra multivitamin the content of vitamin D3 is higher than in single foods. Therefore, the quantity of pasta supplied must not exceed 10% of the daily ration. It is kept at room temperature.

Shopping Guide: What You Should Know About Cat Malt

Choosing the right malt for your pet can have some complications. Far from consisting of buying the first product, you should analyze the characteristics of your cat: size, age or length of the coat, among others. Next, we solve the most frequent doubts in this field and discover new secrets about these animals.

What is cat malt and what is it for?

When a cat is grooming itself, something it does with its tongue, it swallows a lot of hair. The malt helps prevent them from making a ball that is harmful to the animal’s intestine. It is a product of natural origin, which improves digestion and intestinal transit of a cat.

If your cat cleanses its digestive system of the dead hair that it ingests when washing with its tongue, it will avoid having diseases that these hairballs can carry to these felines. This also means that, if your cat has constipation problems, the malt will also help him feel better and be able to go to the bathroom. It usually carries necessary nutrients for a cat.

What ailments can my cat suffer if he has hairballs and does not drink malt?

A cat whose stomach or intestine is stuck with hairballs can be in a lot of pain. And, at the same time, you can stop eating because nothing else gets into your digestive system. In the absence of food, as happens to any living being, there will also be a lack of nutrients in your body. All of this can lead to apathy and a bad mood from discomfort.

Does cat malt also come in feed?

Although the malt itself is a paste like the one already described, there are feeds with fiber that include malt. These can serve as food, but at the same time they are feed that helps to eliminate hairballs. As a general rule, they are not usually the only food, since it would provide more fiber and malt than necessary, but they can often be given as food.

Why should I feed my cat malt?

The common thing is that the bottle of malt you buy indicates how much quantity to offer to the animal and how often. As it comes in a mass inside a tube, the common thing is that they indicate the number of centimeters to put on your finger. This malt can be given directly into the mouth of a cat or you can mix it with their food. This if they like their malt.

Another option is to take the dough and put it on one of the front legs of your kitten so that he just sucks the malt to his liking. Or at the corner of your mouth. These options are more suitable for cats that do not like malt. They will have no choice but to clean themselves and that activity they, do not forget, do with their mouth.

How often should I feed my cat malt?

Many veterinary studies and cat malt manufacturers recommend offering two feedings a week for animals with short coats. Now, if you have a breed of feline with long hair, it is better to increase the dose. About four times a week would be recommended. In times of change, it could even occur daily.

Which breeds require the most amount of malt for cats?

Species that have long fur are at higher risk of creating annoying and harmful hairballs in their bodies. Therefore, logically, if you have a Persian, Angora, Himalayan, Chinchilla, Balinese or Burmese cat, to mention a few of many, malt should never be lacking in your home. And if your cat is not purebred but has long or semi-long hair, you are in the same situation.

Where do cat hairballs accumulate when you don’t ingest malt?

Cat hairballs can collect in a cat’s intestine, stomach, or esophagus. It can also happen that a cat coughs and manages to expel these balls to the outside, which would mean that they have not reached the esophagus. The malt that is ingested through the mouth will pass through the digestive system, sweeping these hairs until they are expelled through the feces.

How do I know if my cat has a lot of hair on his digestive system and needs malt?

Veterinary experts recommend that a cat be malt frequently. But it will be more urgent that you do it when you see certain strange reactions in your cat. For example, if your kitten has a nauseous cough, if you notice an unusual lack of appetite or if he vomits often when he is eating and has not yet digested his food.

In cases like those mentioned, the hairs are most likely blocking the passage of food through your digestive system, which is clogged with hair. Other symptoms are a swollen abdomen or abnormal behaviors of the animal, such as a rare bad mood. He may be unwell from having hairballs and may be irritable.

Why does my cat need malt if it was not used for years?

Although it is natural for cats to clean their fur with their tongue and therefore swallow these hairs, using malt is not something that was done in the past. However, it should be remembered that today, a domestic cat can have a much higher life expectancy than in previous decades thanks to the change in care. Therefore, malt is necessary, according to experts.

In addition, there are studies that have concluded that the change in diet in home kittens has come hand in hand with new care necessary for their well-being. The improvements that appear on the market are being made in response to the needs that have been previously observed. When we have a pet we have to ensure quality of life.

Does cat malt hydrate?

These little felines are one of the species that has evolved the least in its thirst drive. This means that hydration is received through food. And, therefore, they tend to drink little water. To do this, it is convenient to give him wet food often.

For this reason, malt is one more source of hydration that can be offered to a cat. The most common is that the level of hydration provided by a malt is indicated on the product packaging. If it achieves this effect, it is, as a general rule, because previously hydrated cereals are used. Therefore, they are a complement if your cat drinks little water.

What is the usefulness of beta-glucan in cat malt?

According to the manufacturers of these products, the beta-glucan content helps to repair a damaged gastrointestinal tract, in addition to avoiding possible digestive disorders, since it prevents the formation of hairballs. Beta-glucan helps reduce irritation and inflammation of the digestive tract and provides a healthy intestinal mucosa.

What other care can I offer my pet to avoid hairballs, in addition to cat malt?

It is good that you brush your cat often. By brushing, the animal will have fewer dead hairs and, by grooming, it runs less risk of swallowing them and forming these hairballs that cling to its intestine. It is recommended to brush it daily. There are many types of brushes and you should find one that your pet likes.

You can also give him probiotics that help maintain healthy intestinal flora. There are various products on the market. It is recommended that they include a high number of microorganisms. Another popular product is catnip, but this one is controversial. Some experts recommend it and others don’t. And it has a strong laxative power.

What are the shedding times when it is best to give a cat more malt?

After the cold winter months, in which the body of a cat, intelligently, fills with fur to keep it warm, the massive fall of this coat begins with the arrival of good weather. Therefore, spring is a key date in which you should brush your cat as much as you can, especially for those who go outside. Even more so if it is of a long-haired breed.

At the same time, it is recommended that larger quantities of malt be fed to them in the spring, as he will continue to groom and swallow hair. In indoor cats, since they live with a stable temperature, they see their molt last for almost the whole year. And since their physical activity is less, so is their intestinal transit.

Purchase criteria

As we have seen, malt is an essential element for the quality of life of your cat. And it is better to avoid those products that contain ingredients that a cat does not need. Although they help you improve your intestinal transit and eliminate hairballs, they can provide other harmful nutrients. For the purchase to be appropriate, we recommend following these criteria.

• Ingredients
• Nutrients
• Extra vitamins
• Packaging and textures
• Flavors

Ingredients

Malt paste can help improve your cat’s digestion thanks to the different ingredients it includes. It usually consists, as a general rule, of malt extract, vegetable fats, vegetable oils, fiber, crude ash, a minimal dose of dairy products and sometimes yeast. Also beta-glucan. Sometimes fish oil is included.

There are also ingredients that a malt can have and that are less necessary. For example, sugars, coloring components, preservatives or flavorings, which only serve for the appearance or taste of the product, but do not contribute anything to the animal.

Nutrients

The malt does not serve to provide the nutrients that a cat needs. But it is true that one or the other macronutrients may prevail in one of these products. It is recommended to choose the malt taking into account the nutrients that a cat needs to obtain.

Extra vitamins

There are some malts that include extra elements to provide vitamins to the cat beyond the laxative effect, both to improve intestinal transit and to avoid hairballs. Some of the added elements, which some of the existing products on the market include, are included in the following list:

• Omega 3 and 6
• Vitamins B1, B2, b12, D3 and E, among others
• Folic acid
• Taurine

Packaging and textures

The most common is that the malt comes in the form of semi-soft paste and it is available in tubes, aluminum or plastic. Thus, it is easy to dispense according to the centimeters of recommended paste, according to the coat of your animal or the time of year. But, on certain occasions, the malt is incorporated into chunks of feed and stored in plastic bags.

Flavors

Some products include flavoring elements, offering the taste of other ingredients, such as cheese or fish such as salmon. As a general rule, this curious substance does not usually have a bad taste and it is common for cats to like malt. On many occasions, a sweetener is added to make it taste more.

Summary

Every time your cat is grooming, even if you brush it often, it ingests hair. These can create a ball that collects in the animal’s stomach or intestine. Hairballs cause a lot of discomfort in cats, vomiting, listlessness and lack of appetite. Therefore, they need to consume malt often. And, above all, in case you see these symptoms.

The malt is created to facilitate the digestive transit and allow these balls to be easily expelled through the feces. Being a complement, sometimes the malt comes with extra vitamins that are very necessary for the organism of these little felines. When having a pet at home it is important to have tools on hand that improve their quality of life.