Cats are fastidious in nature. But their neatness freak behavior goes beyond looking. Cats are obsessed with self-grooming as they lick and clean their coat all the time. They clean themselves with their tongue; meanwhile, cats swallow lots of hair when they ingest fur that has been shed. Hairball may seem to be not something serious to worry about but it is imperative for pet parents to know that hairballs in cats can cause intestinal blockages which can indeed deteriorate their health. Therefore, to combat hairball or to keep them at bay, here are the things pet parents need to know about it.
What are hairballs in cats?
When cats are intensely involved in their grooming session, a lot of hair gets ingested in the cat’s intestinal tract. The fur cannot be broken or digested and if it cannot pass through the cat’s digestive tract, it can form into a hairball. The majority of hair passes through the digestive tract with no issues, but when some hair remaining in the stomach causes hairballs.
Symptoms of hairball problems
- Lethargy
- Lack of appetite
- Coughing, Hacking and Gagging
- Diarrhea
- Repeated attempts to cough or vomit
- A bloated stomach in some serious cases
- Constipation
Home remedies to treat hairballs
Well, hairball in cats is quite normal, so initially, you can try treating them with some home remedies.
- You can use hair gels as it helps to regulate your cat’s digestive system. The gel lubricates the cat’s stool and swallowed fur.
- Consider giving oil or butter to your cat. They are great lubricants that help to expel hairballs from your cat’s digestive system.
- There are specially formulated treats that helps the cat to get rid of hairballs. You can feed treats designed to treat hairballs.
How to prevent hairballs?
Brush your cat’s fur. When your cat grooms herself, she may swallow loose hair on her body. When you regularly brush your cat’s fur it helps her to get rid of loose or shed hair.
Use a hairball product. There are a plethora of hairball products in the market. All you need to do is to choose the right one for your kitty. You can use Laxapet Laxavite Gel which is specially designed for hairballs in cats.
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Give catnip or cat grass to your cat. Catnip or grass provides fiber to your cat that helps them to remove hairball.
Ensure to keep your kitty hydrated. Giving an adequate amount of water to your pet helps to hydrate her intestinal tract. The water intake will keep it lubricated.
Last, but certainly not the least. Feed the right food as it plays a major role in reducing hairball in cats. Ensure to give them food that is low in carbohydrate and high in protein.
