Ways To Prevent Hairballs In Cats
Hairballs are an unpleasant part of cat parenting. It is necessary for cats to eject hairballs instead of ingesting them and cat parents should make efforts to reduce this problem without jeopardising their pet’s health. But why do cats have hairballs?
Cats groom themselves from time to time and during this process, small hook-like structures on their tongue collect loose and dead hair, which are subsequently ingested. While a majority of hairballs pass smoothly through the digestive tract, some become matted and remain in their stomach. This leads to the formation of a hairball, making cats fall sick and throw up due to gut blockage.
Usually, cats vomit 1-2 hairballs a month and the ones who shed excessively or groom themselves incessantly are more likely to get hairballs because they swallow a lot of fur. So, how do you prevent this problem?
Through this blog, let’s learn a few simple tips through which you can prevent your cat’s hairballs and subsequent vomiting issues:
1. Regular Brushing: Brushing your cat regularly can help reduce the excess fur and reduce the chances of hairball formation. You should aim to brush your cat at least twice a week. However, if your cat has long hair, you should brush them more often.
2. Nutritious Diet: A well-balanced nutritious cat diet filled with high fiber, vitamins, and minerals would keep your cat’s skin and fur healthy, thereby reducing the shedding of excess hair. Diet is a critical part of keeping your cat’s hair healthy and minimising the chances of ingestion.
3. Increased Water Intake: Make sure you take care of your feline friend’s water intake as this would help them pass stubborn stools along with the hairballs in a smooth manner. Provide them with clean, fresh water. You can consider the idea of installing a water fountain if your cat prefers running water. Choosing wet food can also help your cat stay hydrated.
4. Hairball Lubricant: Different products are touted as allowing cats to pass hairballs through their intestines directly into the litterbox rather than vomiting. Before using any lubricant, consult with your veterinarian for suggestions based on your cat’s health and diet.
5. Consult the Vet: Cats vomit occasionally, possibly once in a month or two and that is not a matter of concern but if your cat is not able to vomit or feel constipated due to a large hairball formation, consult your vet for tailored recommendations.
Bottom Line
Seeing your cat vomiting and suffering due to hairballs is the worst feeling of every cat parent but the good part is, there are preventive measures available. You can use the above-mentioned tips to keep your feline companion healthy and happy.