Hairball remedies for cats
There's nothing that can get a pet owner moving quite like the sound of a cat vomiting.
If you’ve spent time watching cats, you’ll notice that they spend a lot of their day grooming! However, this grooming ritual can sometimes lead to an uncomfortable issue for our cats—and a messy hairball for us to clean up. Hairballs, while common among cats, can be a source of distress for both the cat and their owner. Understanding the causes and remedies for hairballs is essential for maintaining your cat's health and comfort.
What are hairballs?
Hairballs are clumps of hair that accumulate in a cat’s stomach. As cats groom themselves, they inevitably swallow loose hair. Normally, this hair passes through the digestive tract and is eliminated in the feces. However, sometimes the hair collects in the stomach and forms a mass. When the hairball grows too large to pass through the digestive system, it's vomited up, and we run for paper towels to clean up the mess.
What are the causes of hairballs?
- Grooming habits. Cats groom themselves regularly to keep their fur clean and free of debris. However, excessive grooming—especially in cats with allergies or skin disease—can lead to more hair being ingested, increasing the likelihood of hairball formation.
- Seasonal shedding. Cats, especially long-haired breeds, undergo seasonal shedding, where they shed their old coat to make way for a new one. During shedding seasons, cats may ingest more hair than usual, increasing the risk of hairballs.
- Dietary factors. A diet lacking in fiber can contribute to hairball formation. Fiber helps move ingested hair through the digestive tract, preventing it from clumping together in the stomach.
- Underlying health issues. Certain medical conditions, such as gastrointestinal motility disorders or inflammatory bowel disease, can disrupt the normal passage of hair through the digestive system.
Remedies to prevent the formation of these scary hairies!
There are several preventive measures you can take to reduce the frequency and severity of hairballs:
Regular grooming: Brushing your cat regularly helps remove loose hair before it's ingested during grooming. This is particularly important for long-haired breeds or during shedding seasons.
Dietary supplements: Adding dietary supplements, such as hairball control cat food or hairball remedy treats, to your cat's diet can help prevent hairball formation. These products often contain ingredients like fiber or lubricants that aid in the passage of hair through the digestive system.
Increased water intake: Encourage your cat to drink more by providing fresh water sources throughout your home or adding wet food to their diet. Adequate hydration helps move hair through the digestive tract.
Regular veterinary check-ups: Schedule regular veterinary check-ups for your cat to monitor their overall health and address any underlying medical conditions.
Medication: In severe cases where hairballs cause recurrent vomiting or gastrointestinal issues, your veterinarian may prescribe medication to help alleviate these signs or address underlying health issues.
Live Chat with a licensed veterinary professional is free for VCA clients through the myVCA mobile app, available at Apple's App Store and Google Play.
