{"id":2516,"date":"2018-03-24T15:34:30","date_gmt":"2018-03-24T15:34:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/?p=2516"},"modified":"2018-03-26T15:29:24","modified_gmt":"2018-03-26T15:29:24","slug":"preventing-hairballs-in-cats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/preventing-hairballs-in-cats\/","title":{"rendered":"Preventing Hairballs In Cats"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hairballs In Cats \u2013 Home Remedies For Prevention\"\"<\/a><\/h1>\n

You know that disturbing sound: your cat struggling to expel a hairball. The retching, gagging, and vomiting noises can wake you at night or ruin your lunch. As your poor cat struggles to rid herself of the alien product, you run for the paper towels and cleaning sprays.<\/p>\n

Most cat parents are all too familiar with the sound of their cat dealing with the unpleasantness of hacking up a hairball. Hairballs are the tubular shaped by-product of regurgitated\u00a0cat\u00a0hair covered in digestive fluids.\u00a0 It sounds gross, so just think of how\u00a0 uncomfortable your cat feels when she\u2019s got one coming up in her esophagus!<\/p>\n

Hairballs, or trichobezoars<\/em> (tricho-, meaning \u201cpertaining to hair\u201d and bezoar, meaning \u201ca mass trapped in the gastrointestinal system\u201d) occur after cats attempt to groom themselves.<\/p>\n

Since cats prefer to be clean, self-grooming is a daily routine which means a greater chance she will unintentionally end up swallowing a bit of loose hair. Coughing or vomiting up hairballs occurs when swallowed hair is unable to pass through the digestive tract and out in the cat\u2019s stool.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Hairballs in cats are more likely to appear in long-haired breeds, such as Persians and Maine Coons. Cats that shed a lot or who groom themselves compulsively are also more likely to have hairballs, because they tend to swallow a lot of fur. You may have noticed that your cat didn\u2019t have hairballs as a kitten, but developed them as she grew. This is quite normal, because as cats get older they become more adept groomers.\u00a0 They are therefore more proficient at removing fur from their coats with their tongues, which means more hairballs for you to clean up.<\/p>\n

Many cat owners think hairballs are a fact of life, but you can stop these occurrences using a home remedy. Be sure to talk to your veterinarian\u00a0before trying the techniques below, especially\u00a0if your cat is elderly or dealing with a chronic illness.<\/p>\n

Canned Pumpkin<\/strong><\/h4>\n

This orange vegetable can help hairballs pass all the way through your cat\u2019s system. Mix in one to two tablespoons of plain canned\u00a0pumpkin<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0to your cat\u2019s food each day or a couple times a week. Be sure to choose pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, which has added sugar. You can add it as is, but for cats with a sensitive stomach, warm up the pumpkin. The\u00a0natural fiber in pumpkin\u00a0keeps your cat regular and assists in pushing swallowed hair out with bowel movements.<\/p>\n

Olive Oil<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Adding one teaspoon of olive oil to your cat\u2019s food once or twice a week can prevent her from vomiting up hairballs. The oil lubricates the cat\u2019s digestive system, which will allow the hairball to slide right on through without disturbing her tummy.\u00a0Olive oil also helps pets digest their foods easier.<\/p>\n

This should also cut down on stomach aches associated with hairballs. Other oils, such as mineral oil, corn oil or saffron oil can also help, but it’s important to ensure that your cat can tolerate these before you use any of them regularly.<\/p>\n

Coconut Oil<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Give your cat about half a teaspoon of coconut oil 2-3 times a week.\u00a0 Some kitties love it and eat it directly off the spoon. You could put it directly on the food, or mix it in, as well.<\/p>\n

Butter<\/strong><\/h4>\n

A teaspoon of butter will work in the same way as the oil. Melt it in the microwave and drizzle over your cat\u2019s food once a week.<\/p>\n

Go Fishin\u2019<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Many canned fishes have natural oils, and some are often packed in oil. Give your cat a special treat of a bit of tuna or sardines occasionally. You can share your lunch with her by draining the oil from a can and putting a little of it on your cat\u2019s dinner.<\/p>\n

Cat Food\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

As a precautionary measure or if hairballs are a persistent problem in your cat\u2019s life,\u00a0feed a hairball formula food<\/em>. Like fiber rich foods, hairball formula food helps hairballs to pass through the digestive system while improving hair and skin health, and also reducing shedding.
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