Constant coughing combined with the spewing of an oval or round shaped ball of mucus, are sure signs your cat has a hairball. But, how does your cat manage to get hairballs and what are they made of?
A hairball is a mixture of undigested food and hair that has become lodged in the stomach of your cat and combined itself with a mucus substance. The reasons behind why these hairballs form is only speculative. As the cat coughs, it is working the obstruction out, leaving you to find it either on the floor, bed, couch etc.
The hair part of a hairball is caused when your cat is performing his regular grooming duties, and has acquired a mass amount of loose hairs on his tongue and has swallowed them sending them directly to his stomach. When food has become a part of a hairball it can either be due to inefficient chewing of the food or food that has simply become locked in the already present hair and mucus.
For the most part, a healthy cat is able to dislodge the hairball from the stomach. However, on occasion, hairballs can become lodged in the intestines. This can cause serious, life threatening results. Signs that your cat may have a hairball he cannot loosen himself include constipation, lethargy, loss of appetite and an unhealthy look to his coat. If any of these signs are present, it is imperative that you visit a local veterinarian. X-rays can determine if in fact your cat has a hairball that must be removed by surgery or if there is another illness present causing these symptoms.
As with any common ailment, prevention is the key. Grooming your cat on a daily basis is one of the most important preventative measures you can take against hairballs. Brushing and combing your cat on a daily schedule will assist in removing the loose hairs he might have otherwise ingested.
It is important to remember that starting your cat on a grooming schedule when he is a kitten will allow him time to become accustomed to the routine. Most cats learn to enjoy this special time and will even alert you himself that it is time for his grooming.
Long haired cats are especially at risk for hairballs, so extra grooming care is a perfect weapon against these potential dangers. If you own a cat that does not have an affinity for the use of a brush or comb, an alternative tool called a grooming glove may be the answer. The technique of the glove is to use it as if you were petting your cat, giving him the illusion that he is just experiencing luxury time and not grooming time.
Additional methods to help prevent hairballs include specially formulated dietary supplements. There are several brands and varieties of special dry cat foods formulated with nutrients to help alleviate the occurrence of hairballs. However, it is best to consult your veterinarian as to which brand is recommended as not every brand is equal in quality. If your cat already has signs of a non serious hairball, there is a specially formulated gel that can be added to his daily food to help lubricate the hairball. This will allow the hairball to either pass through the body or dispense through coughing.
Everyone has a list of homemade remedies for many of these common ailments and afflictions. For instance, butter, mineral oil, and pumpkin have been thought to help in the dislodging of a hairball. While these remedies as well as store bought ones may be successful, a consultation with your veterinarian first can ensure that whatever method you choose is not harmful in any other way to your precious feline.
A hairball is a mixture of undigested food and hair that has become lodged in the stomach of your cat and combined itself with a mucus substance. The reasons behind why these hairballs form is only speculative. As the cat coughs, it is working the obstruction out, leaving you to find it either on the floor, bed, couch etc.
The hair part of a hairball is caused when your cat is performing his regular grooming duties, and has acquired a mass amount of loose hairs on his tongue and has swallowed them sending them directly to his stomach. When food has become a part of a hairball it can either be due to inefficient chewing of the food or food that has simply become locked in the already present hair and mucus.
For the most part, a healthy cat is able to dislodge the hairball from the stomach. However, on occasion, hairballs can become lodged in the intestines. This can cause serious, life threatening results. Signs that your cat may have a hairball he cannot loosen himself include constipation, lethargy, loss of appetite and an unhealthy look to his coat. If any of these signs are present, it is imperative that you visit a local veterinarian. X-rays can determine if in fact your cat has a hairball that must be removed by surgery or if there is another illness present causing these symptoms.
As with any common ailment, prevention is the key. Grooming your cat on a daily basis is one of the most important preventative measures you can take against hairballs. Brushing and combing your cat on a daily schedule will assist in removing the loose hairs he might have otherwise ingested.
It is important to remember that starting your cat on a grooming schedule when he is a kitten will allow him time to become accustomed to the routine. Most cats learn to enjoy this special time and will even alert you himself that it is time for his grooming.
Long haired cats are especially at risk for hairballs, so extra grooming care is a perfect weapon against these potential dangers. If you own a cat that does not have an affinity for the use of a brush or comb, an alternative tool called a grooming glove may be the answer. The technique of the glove is to use it as if you were petting your cat, giving him the illusion that he is just experiencing luxury time and not grooming time.
Additional methods to help prevent hairballs include specially formulated dietary supplements. There are several brands and varieties of special dry cat foods formulated with nutrients to help alleviate the occurrence of hairballs. However, it is best to consult your veterinarian as to which brand is recommended as not every brand is equal in quality. If your cat already has signs of a non serious hairball, there is a specially formulated gel that can be added to his daily food to help lubricate the hairball. This will allow the hairball to either pass through the body or dispense through coughing.
Everyone has a list of homemade remedies for many of these common ailments and afflictions. For instance, butter, mineral oil, and pumpkin have been thought to help in the dislodging of a hairball. While these remedies as well as store bought ones may be successful, a consultation with your veterinarian first can ensure that whatever method you choose is not harmful in any other way to your precious feline.
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