Those Pesky Hairballs

Hairballs are Miss Kitty's pet peeve, and she takes every precaution to prevent them.

Your cat's health is important, so you need to make yourself aware of common conditions that can effect your pet's health. If you want to be sure that you cat is getting the best care possible, you need to watch for signs that something may be wrong.

One of the most common medical conditions that affects many cats is hairballs, which is normal to some extent. You should contact your veterinarian immediately if you think the problem is out of control.

About a quarter of all digestive blockages in cats comes from hairballs that cannot pass or be vomited and this can make your cat very sick. Huge hairballs the size of baseballs have been removed from a cat’s stomach. A hairball of that size can easily kill your cat.

Your cat does like being clean, which accounts for the fact that he is always licking and grooming himself. This will eventually cause hairballs, especially in the summer when a cat may still be loosing his thicker winter coat. Because of multiple groomings during the day, your long-haired cat can ingest quite a bit of hair which takes time to travel through the digestive system. Occasionally, the hair becomes matted and entwined in the stomach, causing a hairball that is too large to pass through the system. When this happens, the cat vomits the hairball, if he can.

There are a number of signs you will see in a cat having a problem with hairballs. If your cat is retching often, has a change in digestion, or has a swollen abdomen, he or she may have a problem with hairballs.

Your veterinarian can give your cat flavored medication that he will love. Contained inside are non-digestible oil lubricants that will help your cat pass hairballs easier. You can also find treats at your local pet supply store for hairballs. Taking this medication regularly will prevent your cat from ever forming such hairballs.

Another great way to prevent hairballs from forming is a high-fiber diet, possibly including a fiber supplement. Home remedies, on the other hand, are not a good idea, because they could cause other problems with your cat’s digestive system.

When in doubt, call your cat’s doctor. He/she is specially trained to help you help your pets. When you report health abnormalities to your veterinarian, you are able to best keep your cat healthy and safe, no matter how many hairballs may form.