Watching your cat deal with hair balls can be an uncomfortable sight and the sound they make can be alarming. Most cats will make a gagging or hacking sound before they spit out a slimy furry-looking ball. This helps to keep their digestive system in order. No one likes dealing with hairballs, and there are ways to minimise these not so nice furry gifts from your cat.
Here’s a look at hairballs and what can be done...
The tongue is known as the hardest working muscle in the human body, and for your cat that muscle works even harder. Experts have estimated that cats spend one third of their lives grooming themselves, and their tongues are specially built for this task. If you’ve ever felt your cat’s tongue you’ll know that it is coarse like a piece of velcro. This is so they can collect any loose and shedding hair as they drag their tongue across their body. Any loose hair that is picked up will be swallowed by your cat.
Luckily, most of these swallowed hairs will go through your cat’s digestive system and come out the other end. However, over time some hairs can lodge themselves in your cat’s intestines or stomach. If this happens, it will only be a matter of time before the cat feels the need to eject this fur by coughing (or hacking) up a hairball.
Hairballs are usually quite easy to spot. You’ll often hear your cat hacking and gagging as they are trying to get rid of the fur. In some cases, hairballs can be nasty and cause your cat to have a decreased appetite and/or constipation. It’s important to be on the look out for these behaviours and if you are concerned, always take your cat to see the vet.
Some cats may have an underlying problem that causes them to groom more and therefore more likely to produce hairballs. Excessive grooming can stem from allergies, anxiety, or fleas so if you notice more regular hairballs, consult your vet.
In most cases, your cat will be able to expel the hairball in just one day. If you notice your cat is still hacking, coughing, gagging or is constipated for more than 24 hours it is usually a sign that they need to be seen by a vet as soon as possible. In some rare and severe cases, a hairball can get so big hat it blocks the cat’s intestines completely. If this happens, your cat may require a surgery to remove the hairball.
Dealing with hairballs comes with being a pet parent, however there are several things you can do to minimise these nasty surprises for you and your cat.
Feed a specially formulated food
Some diets are formulated to reduce hairball in cats like the Hill’s Science Diet Hairball Control Range which is made with natural fibres to support the intestinal tract and packed with vitamin E, omega 3 and 6 and protein to support a healthier coat and reduce ingested hair. However, it should be noted that hairball control food often addresses the symtoms not the cause so chat to your vet if this may be the best option.
Daily grooming
Regular grooming will reduce the amount of time your cat needs to self clean and the amount of loose fur that they are ingesting. Depending on your cat’s coat, you will need different cat brushes or combs. Some de-shedder brushes are suitable for all cats and reduces shedding by up to 90%. These specially formulated brush reaches through the topcoat to remove loose undercoat hair while keeping your cat’s coat dirt and debris free.
Hairball remedies
Another way to combat hairballs is through specially formulated treats or health products. They work by aiding the passing of hairballs through your cats gastrointestinal tract and, through regular use, can prevent future formation of hairballs. Also infused with omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids these tasty treats for your cat will support healthy skin and coat.
Aristopet Cat Laxative Paste is a safe-to-use laxative designed to help alleviate hairballs and constipation in cats and kittens. This non-toxic paste is highly digestible and extremely palatable offering your pet a tasty alternative to other unpleasant laxative formulas and will help to encourage defecation allowing your cat to quickly and easily pass buildups of hair within the digestive system.
Talk to your vet
Vets know best - they can help identify if there are underllying causes to hairballs and can also provide recommendations around diets and treatments to address hairballs. It may also help to try capture a video of your cat coughing up a hairball for you vet in case their coughing or gagging may not be hairball related.
If you have any questions or concerns about hairballs, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of Pet Direct’s Customer Service Experts on 0800 200 240.
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