subject: Those Disgusting Hairballs! [print this page] Those Disgusting Hairballs! Those Disgusting Hairballs!
You've been sleeping peacefully and it's time to get up. When arising, your barefoot stops on a cold, squishy hairball! Sound familiar? You thought you heard your cat coughing and gagging during the night but you weren't sure just where she was. Now you know!
Hairballs are generally a combination of groomed hair and food particles that are not digested but trapped by the cat hair. The main cause of cat hairballs is the constant grooming that your cat does. You have probably noticed that your cat has a desire to groom herself often, and some cats will groom most of their waking hours.
Cat hair is not easily digested, but most of the time it will pass through her intestines and into the litter box without a problem.
The term hairball' is not really correct, because they are not in a ball shape when they are coughed up. They are more oval or elongated, more cigar shaped.
Some indications that she has hairballs are: 1. constipation, because the cat hair can become so dense that it stops food from passing though; 2. dry cough, because she is trying to cough something from a stomach irritation and nothing comes up, yet; 3. gagging or vomiting after meals because she is having difficulty digesting her food.
When your cat has any of these symptoms, you have a couple of options. Your cat's diet can be adjusted to have more fiber. Use caution with this method because introducing more fiber into your cat's diet too soon could cause diarrhea. Another option is gel products that help oil the intestines so the hair balls slide through more easily. These products are often flavored to make them more palatable for the cat. Sometimes the product may suggest that you apply it to her front leg or foot where she will lick it off. We had one cat that would lick it off of my finger.
If the condition becomes severe, such as vomiting more often that a couple of times a month, she becomes a pickier eater, signs of diarrhea, or any other unusual behavior, contact your vet. In extreme cases, surgery may be necessary.
As disgusting as the hairballs are, they are fairly common among cats and they are not usually dangerous. The long-haired cats often have more hairballs than short haired cats. Also, spring and summer is when they shed the most, so the issue could become more pronounced.
Brushing your cat often could help eliminate the hairballs, or at least the frequency. Brushing your cat will also become a bonding time between the two of you. Your cat's health is important. Enjoy your cat. They are special pets!
Disclaimer: I am not a veterinarian nor do I have any formal training in any medical field. This article is not to replace the advice of your veterinarian. I am only providing options and ideas that you may want to discuss with your veterinarian
