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If you ’re a cat parent , you ’ve in all probability take on the unpleasant surprise of a regurgitatedhairballleft behind by your furred friend . trichobezoar are a common issue for many cats , peculiarly those with longer pelt , such asPersiansandMaine Coons .
While hairballs are a lifelike resolution of your guy ’s punctilious grooming habits , they can cause problems for your kitty ( and your carpeting ) . Thankfully , there are several ways to quash the occurrence of these upchucked surprises .
We spoke to veterinarians to get the best tips and magic trick for preventing ( or at least trim back ) trichobezoar in cats .
Preventing Hairballs in Cats: Is It Possible?
You ’ve belike noticed that your cat spends a respectable chunk of their mean solar day licking their pelt to keep it clean . When they do this , their rough tongues capture loose pilus , which gets swallowed .
Most of the hair passes through the cat ’s digestive arrangement without any problems and is eliminated in their toilet , explain Dr. Bethany Hsia , cobalt - founder ofCodaPet . But sometimes , hair accumulates in the breadbasket and organize a hairball , which Arabian tea unremarkably give up in a tubular - mold , saliva- and bile - hock package . ( Good thing cat are so cute , right ? )
Large or frequent hairball can have digestive government issue , such as constipation . In rare cases , hairballs can uprise too heavy to pass through the narrow sphincter in the esophagus or stomach or become lodged in the small intestine and create a blockage . This can be fatal if get out untreated and may require surgical operation to remove the hair ball .
While hairballs ca n’t be prevent entirely , their frequency and severity can be drastically reduce with right preventive care .
How to Prevent Hairballs in Cats: 9 Methods to Try
deoxidize the preponderance of hairball in cats requires a multi - faceted approach that combines grooming , diet , hydration , and overall health care . Here are nine actionable , veteran - approve method to apply :
Establish a Regular Grooming Routine
“ ofttimes brush your big cat is the best way to prevent hairballs , ” say Dr. Raymond Spragley , founder ofZen Dog Veterinary Care . “ on a regular basis brush will limit the amount of idle hair and mats your quat may take by ego - groom . ”
Dr. Spragley allege steady brushing is especially important for long - haired cats , as they take more haircloth and matted fur , which can lead to more hairballs . He suggests brushing long - hirsute CAT day by day and brushing short - haired cats at least once a week .
Long - haired kat might also benefit from being clipped or shaved . Seeking assistance from a professional groomer can be helpful in do their coat .
Switch to a Hairball Control Diet
Cat food specifically formulated for hairball ascendency can importantly concentrate the frequency of hairball .
“ Hairball control diet help to determine hairballs by increasing the amount of vulcanized fiber in their diet , which helps to move hair through their digestive organization , ” says Dr. Spragley .
Hairball control foods also turn back fatty acids , such as those found in fish and Pisces crude oil , to support skin and pelage wellness , which reduces shake off that contributes to hairball formation .
Here are a duet of highly - rated hairball ascendancy foods to consider :
Offer Cat Grass
“ Wild computed axial tomography often eat grass after consuming prey , ” says Dr. Spragley . It ’s thought that this help the cat regurgitate the non - digestible office of what they ate , including finger cymbals , haircloth , connective tissue , and plume , he order .
To provide your domesticated kitty with the same benefit , you may purchasecat grass , which is typically grow from rye , barley , oat , or straw seeds . Cat skunk is useable already grown at pet stores . Or , if you ’d like to exercise your green thumb , you’re able to grease one’s palms a hombre grass outfit , which includes source , soil , and a potting container .
Use Hairball Soft Chews
trichobezoar easy manduction are a commodious way to facilitate contend and reduce hairball . These chews typically bear fiber that helps the digestive nerve tract move and eliminate hair ball , as well as pelt health postscript like omega-3 fatty acids and biotin to reduce shedding .
Some popular options include :
Use Oral Hairball Gel
Oral hairball gels contain ingredient like seedcase liver oil and petroleum jelly , which help lubricate the digestive tract , making it promiscuous for hair to devolve through of course .
A couple of favourite parent favorites include :
Get a Cat Water Fountain
“ Getting your big cat a cat weewee fountain can encourage them to pledge more piss , ” enounce Dr. Hsia . Cats incline to drink more from hombre fountains than moribund water in a bowlful , she explains , because the flowing water appeals to their natural instincts , resembling the cleaner , safer running water supply rule in the wild .
increase pee intake is crucial for a Arabian tea ’s overall wellness and for preclude hair accumulation and hairball establishment in the digestive nerve pathway .
Taking Steps to Reduce Overgrooming
Overgrooming can lead to overweening hair ingestion , which can contribute to the formation of hairballs . One way to curb this drug abuse is by leave your African tea with ample enrichment opportunities . Cat towers , interactive toy , and make for seance with wand toys keep your computed tomography ’s mind and organic structure engaged , shorten the likelihood of overgrooming due to boredom .
You might also consider using products like the Feliway Classic diffusor or spray , which release calming pheromones to assist your computerized axial tomography palpate more secure , which may slim down overgroomingcaused by stress .
Use Year-Round Flea and Tick Control
Itching make by flea and ticks can take to overgrooming , which , in turn , can lead in unreasonable whisker ingestion and trichobezoar constitution , explicate Dr. Hsia . To prevent this takings , she stresses the grandness of keeping your African tea on twelvemonth - rhythm flea and tick control .
One highly effective intersection to see isNexGard COMBO — a broad - spectrum monthly topical medication for cats that kill flea and check mark , prevents heartworm disease , and treats and controls ringworm , hookworms , and cestode .
If your cat is n’t a sports fan of topicals , tryCredelio CAT — a monthly cuttable tablet that treats and prevents flea and ticks .
Visit the Vet for Regular Preventative Checkups
Regular veterinary medical examination are vital for keep your bozo ’s overall health . Your vet can aid name and treat any underlying conditions that might contribute to extravagant grooming and hairball shaping .
For instance , ifyour cat is vomitingup hairballs frequently ( several time a week or daily ) , an underlie gastrointestinal upset or a cutis problem causing excessive dressing may be to blame .
Cat Hairballs: What to Avoid
When it comes to managing hairballs in cat , there are some common error you should avoid :
By following these tips and working tight with your veterinarian , you’re able to significantly cut down hair ball formation and keep your pot happy and sound .
