The frequency and severity of hairballs depends largely on a cat's coat and grooming habits. Longhaired cats are obviously more affected because they ingest more hair. Short haired cats are easier with hairballs. I personally I have four cats, two long hair and two short hair, and although I've seen more than my share of hairballs hackings, I have yet to see my 6 year old shorthaired cat a hairball peak.
When is a hairball of a concern?
Unfortunately, a wad of undigested hair can become so great that it causes a stomach or intestinal obstruction requiring immediate medical intervention. Possible warning signs of a blockage include:
Frequent Nausea or hacking that produces a hairball
· Lack of appetite for more than a day
· Lethargy unusual
· Constipation or diarrhea
These symptoms are not exclusive to a hairball blockage, however if your cat shows any, should warrant a trip to the vet anyway.
Locks are serious business. If you suspect your cat has a blockage seek the advice of a veterinarian immediately, because surgery is sometimes necessary to remove the mass. Without medical attention, a blockade could seriously endanger the health of your cat, or worse, could be fatal.
What can a parent of Cat?
Hairballs are inevitable, but there are some ways that a parent cat can minimize the frequency of occurrences and decrease the likelihood of a blockage.
Make sure your cat is well hydrated. Cat parents understand the importance that water plays in making sure your cat stays healthy and free of urinary tract and kidney problems, to name a few, but also helps to expel the hairball a cat. No water in the stomach or digestive tract, the mass of hair can be dry, dense and hard, making it much more difficult to pass. Keep bowls of fresh water located throughout the house so your cat will not have to go far to get a drink.
Brush your cat regularly. The cat hair is removed with brushing hair will you eat much less their cats. If you have a cat that responds poorly to being brushed, you can rub the fur of your cat with a cat rag, or even a damp cloth. While this will not be as effective as brushing, still be able to remove some hair, and every little bit helps.
Consider a commercial hairball remedy. If brushing does not help, there are a variety of remedies available hairball in your local pet store, some are made with natural oils, some with oil. These products work by coating ingested hair allowing the mass to move easily through the digestive tract. Be sure to follow the directions on the package.
It's a good idea to contact your veterinarian before giving one of these remedies for your cat to get your opinion on using. Some of these products contain ingredients that can inhibit the absorption of certain nutrients.
Visit a groomer. Cat with long coats that have a hairball serious or ongoing, could benefit from regular haircuts or chips. Again, consult your veterinarian before taking such a drastic step.
Unfortunately there's really no way to fully prevent the development of hairballs. No matter what you do, at some point in time, (hopefully not in front of guests at the dinner party) your cat hack a hairball. Hopefully with some intervention father cat, you can reduce the likelihood that a hairball will endanger the lives of cats, while maintaining a minimum occurrences.
