Hairballs in cats is an unfortunate condition that most cat owners eventually have to face. Your cat’s health is important. Your veterinarian can teach you all about the many health conditions your cat could experience. But it is also important to learn about such things on your own. If you want to be sure that your cat is getting the best care possible, you need to watch out for signs that something may be wrong with your pet. One common medical condition that affects many cats is hairballs in cats.
Let's dive right in.
Dealing with Hairballs in Cats
While hairballs in cats are normal to some extent, you should contact you veterinarian immediately if you think the problem is out of control.
Hairballs in cats occur mainly because they spend so much time cleaning themselves. Although cats do not like water, they do like being very clean at all times, and they do so, of course, my licking their fur. Your cat probably grooms many times every day.
Because cats also shed, they swallow a lot of their own hair. Most of this passes naturally through the cat’s system, but occasionally the hair becomes matted and entwined in the stomach, causing hairballs in cats that are too large to pass through their system.
When this happens, the cat vomits the hairball.
High Amount of Hairballs
If your cat seems to have an abnormally high amount of hairballs, you should talk to you veterinarian. About a quarter of all digestive blockages in cats come from hairballs in cats that cannot pass or be vomited and this can make your cat very sick.
Hairballs in cats are no laughing matter and should be taken very seriously. Huge hairballs, the size of baseballs, have been known to form in a cat’s stomach. A hairball of that size can easily kill your cat.
There are a number of signs that you will see if a cat is 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 in cats.
Medication for Hairballs in Cats
Your veterinarian can give your cat a flavored medication that they will love. Contained inside it are non-digestible oil lubricants that will help your cat pass hairballs easier. Taking this medication regularly will prevent your cat from ever forming such hairballs.
Another great way to prevent hairballs in cats 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
When in doubt about hairballs in cats, call your cat’s veterinarian. Animal doctors are specially trained to help your pets. When you report health issues to your veterinarian, you will be able to keep your cat healthy and safe, no matter how many hairballs may form.
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