Dirty Hairy: Hairball Causes and Remedies
Dirty Hairy: Hairball Causes and Remedies
Anyone who shares a home with a feline friend knows the feeling all too well: One moment you’re walking barefoot through your den without a care in the world, the next… SQUISH… you feel a lumpy, mushy mound of fur between your toes.
Yes, hairballs are definitely gross. But before you whip out the clippers to give your beautiful long-haired Fluffy a lion cut, let us first examine the causes and potential remedies of this unsightly (but very, very common) feline phenomenon.
Where do hairballs come from?
Cats groom themselves frequently and, in the process, often ingest their own hair. Since the hair is not digestible, it can accumulate in a cat’s stomach, eventually forming a “plug” of hair. (The longer the cat’s hair, the more likely the problem.)
Hairballs can irritate the stomach and lead to vomiting, which may or may not purge the hairball. Some hairballs also can pass into the intestines, leading to constipation or even a dangerous obstruction. (While most hairballs can be passed harmlessly, in severe cases involving intestinal obstruction, surgery may be required to remove a hairball.) Note that if your feline friend vomits more than once a week, you should consult a veterinarian; there might be something else going on.
Are there any hairball remedies?
While there aren’t any guaranteed remedies for treating hairballs, there are several methods for dealing with them. Special lubricants – like a tasty paste – are designed specifically for cats and can make hairballs easier to pass. In addition, new hairball-formula cat foods and treats continue to pop up in the pet food market. These products can help hair to pass through the digestive tract.
Can I keep my cat “safe” from hairballs?
Hairballs are simply an unpleasant fact of life for many cats, but attentive and diligent owners can keep hairballs to a minimum and help to ensure that hairballs do not become a serious health risk to their pets.
Be on the lookout for common symptoms of hairballs: vomiting, dry coughing or hacking, constipation, hard stools containing hair, lack of interest in eating, and depression can all signal a case of hairballs or other maladies.
Perhaps the simplest, and one of the most effective, tools for protecting your cat is right at your fingertips – the hairbrush! Get into the routine of brushing your cat thoroughly and frequently. In addition to being an enjoyable bonding activity for both you and your kitty, brushed-away hair will not have the opportunity to develop into a hairball (or collect on your couch).
While we may never fully vanquish the curse of the hairball from our lives, with a little extra attention and care we can keep our feline friends happy, healthy and comfortable – and keep our floors a lot cleaner!
Sources:
• Paste, brushing can unravel hair ball problems
• Hairballs
• What can I do about my cat that vomits regularly?
