Having pets at home provides you with entertainment and relaxation. One of the two common pets that people have is cats. The cat, or the Felis Catus for those who prefer scientific names, is one fun animal to have. Unlike dogs, cats are very tidy and less excitable in terms of their activity.

Aside from catching vermin like rats and insects, these furry little creatures are highly intelligent. They can be trained to obey simple commands, they have their own moods and temperament, and they are capable of high levels of communication through meowing, purring, and hissing.

Just like other pets, cats must be given proper care to remain healthy and live longer. Though cats are capable of grooming themselves, they still need proper grooming aside from feeding to remain healthy.

A Cat’s Grooming Habit

A cat grooms itself when it feels dirty or just has nothing to do. If you observe, your pet will often groom itself after every meal, when it gets wet, or when you ruffle its coat. Kittens and young cats will groom themselves less often compared to older cats because they are preoccupied with other activities.

As cats grow older, they become less active. They spend most of their time sleeping. When awake, aside from eating, they have nothing to do, so they resort to grooming themselves until satisfied.

What Are Hairballs?

A cat uses its tongue to groom itself. Its tongue has tiny spikes facing backwards that act like a comb or brush to get rid dirt, fur clumps or tangles, and dead or loose fur.

You may notice your cat wheezing, coughing, and then later vomiting up something that looks like a tough clump of fur. This is known as a hairball and it is coughed up by these animals because of their grooming habit. Since their tongue acts like a comb, it picks up loose fur and eventually ingests most of it.

The loose fur that happens to get ingested collects in the cat’s digestive system and goes out when it moves its bowels. Sometimes, the loose fur collected in the stomach is eventually regurgitated. Cats with either long or thick coats are most prone to hairballs.

The Danger of Hairballs

Though hairballs are gross clumps of fur that may stain your floor, carpet, furniture, or whatever surface your cat is on, it is not just about cleaning the mess up. Coughing up hairballs is quite natural, but if you notice your cat doing it often, then proper action must be taken immediately.

Loose fur that gets ingested cannot be digested by a cat’s digestive system, which is why it forms clumps. In worse cases, like if a cat fails to vomit it out, it may require surgical removal. If left untreated, it may result in a loss of appetite, dehydration, and eventually, death.

When too much fur accumulates in the stomach or any part of the cat’s digestive tract, it will soon cause a blockage. In turn, it causes pain, discomfort, and loss of appetite.

Signs That Your Cat Has a Hairball Problem

When you own a cat that has a thick coat, long fur, or both, then you have to look out for hairballs. Even if your pet does not excessively groom itself, it may still be at risk. Here are some signs that you have to look out for:

• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Loss in appetite
• Rapid drop in weight
• Constipation
• Difficulty in moving bowels

Getting Rid of Hairballs

Now you know that hairballs are not just an additional clean-up task for you, but also a huge health concern for your pet cat. Getting rid of hairballs is not just a one-time thing. It means a constant and active duty on your part.

Before you start taking action, you must first narrow down on the likely reason why your cat grooms itself excessively, resulting in frequent hairballs. Aside from being bored, cats will groom themselves often when under stress. A change in diet, a new pet, or allergies are just some sources of stress. Identify these sources and do something about it.

Parasites are another reason why your cat will often groom itself. Check your cat for fleas. When a cat has fleas, it will itch a lot, making your pet scratch and groom itself more frequently. Give it regular baths using flea soap or using any product that will get rid of such parasites.

If your cat has either long or thick hair, it is more prone to hairballs. To minimize the fur that gets into its digestive tract, you must brush its coat daily, especially during the times your cat is shedding. Brushing removes or at least reduces the loose fur that your cat may ingest, thus reducing the chances of hairballs.

Getting your cat to be more active will also help divert its attention from over-grooming. Buying or making a cat toy, letting it go outdoors, or just playing with it will reduce kitty’s boredom. If you do not want to spend money on cat toys, you can improvise and make your own. An old sock, a ball of yarn, a piece of string, or just about anything you are willing to let your cat play with will be enough. Just make sure that the item is non-toxic and isn’t sharp, for it may harm your cat.

Adding more fiber to your cat’s diet will also reduce the likeliness of hairball attacks. Fiber helps the ingested fur pass through your cat’s digestive tract more easily, reducing the chances of fur build-up and blockage.

In the wild, cats will seek grass as their natural remedy for their problem. Barley, rye, oat, and flax grass help the cat vomit and expel the mass of fur that has accumulated in its stomach.

There are also commercial products that help with hairball problems, such as creams or oils that help lubricate the cat’s digestive system. Hairball cat food contains oils and fiber that lubricate the stomach and intestines.

Hairballs are natural, but must be minimized to keep your cat healthy and to avoid serious complications. Doing this will give you even more years together with your furry friend.