A Word About Cat Hairballs
By HollywoodPet.net |
Fri, 29 Dec 2006
Most cats will pass a hairball at least once in their lives. It's a common event among some cats but a hairball is always less than nice for the owner. Preventing hairballs can make your cats world a little more pleasant.
Hairballs are common to almost all cats. Preventing them can be an easy task with a little bit of effort. You and your cat will be much happier if the coughing and gagging ended all together. The buildup of hair in the stomach is the key cause of hairballs. Preventing this buildup is key. A few tips can help.
Regular grooming.
Most cats shed hair. With regular brushing and combing, loose hair can be removed. Less loose hair means less hair gets into your cats stomach. Cats groom regularly and in the process swallow hair. Helping your cat along by giving regular grooming will prevent a lot of hair from getting into the stomach and keeping it on the brush. Long-haired cats have even greater trouble with hairballs. With long-hairs, grooming is essential. Clean the brush regularly too.
Use hairball medicine.
Hairball remedies are mainly flavored oil. A little bit of this oil on the paw will be licked off by your cat and serves as a lubricant for easily passing hairballs. The oil will be good for your cats coat too. Moderate feeding of oils will keep your cats system working properly. Talk to your veterinarian if you suspect your cats coughing is related to illness.
Flea control.
Flea infestations can help to cause hairball problems. The more fleas bite, the more your cat will groom. This increases the amount of hair injested by your cat. Getting rid of the fleas can help to avoid hairball problems too.
Hairballs are not uncommon among cats. With their head low, cats will try to cough up a hairball. If coughing persists, see your veterinarian to make sure it isn't a sign of other health problems. A few easy steps and your cat should be hairball free. You both will be a lot happier.
