Why Do Cats Cough up Hairballs
As your cat goes through the business of daily
grooming, it*s normal for her to swallow some loose
skin and hair. These usually passes through the
digestive tract, some of it can remain behind in
the stomach. As it accumulates, it eventually forms
a wad known as a hairball. And when your cat has
a hairball, she*ll do anything to get rid of it
- this means gagging, retching and hacking in an
attempt to vomit. Luckily, this is one problem that
sounds worse than it really is.
Ways to Help with Cat Hairballs
How can you help your cat? There are several commercial
cat foods on the market that are formulated to help
manage hairballs. They work in two ways: first they
concentrate on improving skin and coat health so
the cat has fewer flakes and less shedding - less
in, less out. And second, they concentrate on proper
fiber blends to help facilitate the passage of hairballs
through the intestines and into the litter box.
Additionally, ANIMED recommends commercial hairball
remedies available at pet-supply stores. These are
specially formulated to be tasty and can be given
to your cat daily to prevent possible hair build-up.
If you notice here attempting to cough up a hairball,
give hear a 1/4 teaspoon of the remedy - just enough
to fit on your fingertip. In order to get your cat
to eat the lubricant, you may need to rub it on
her front paw or under her nose. When she goes to
groom herself clean, she*ll lick it right up. Butter
also works great for this purpose, too, and most
cats love it. Give your pet a * teaspoon a day during
high incidence of hairballs, but not for longer
than a week at a time. Remember, this yummy treat
is high in fat and calories.
Prevention Tips for Cat Hairballs
You can help halt hairballs from the outside in,
with regular brushing. If she has longhair, it*s
a good idea to brush your cat daily. For extra protection,
wipe her down with a lightly moistened cloth after
you*ve brushed her. This way you*ve caught as many
loose hairs as possible.
Your grooming is especially helpful to cats who
seem to lick themselves compulsively. This can be
a sign of boredom or anxiety, so you may need to
redirect her energies. Try a new toy and engage
in regular play. It may prove therapeutic for the
both of you!
Most hairball problems can be controlled with these
simple, preventive methods, but if you notice that
your cat is constantly gagging and hacking for more
than three days and seems constipated, seek the
advice of your veterinarian. In rare cases, a hairball
that won*t dislodge can cause choking or intestinal
blockage.
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