Introduction
When you own a cat, one of the most common issues to deal with is hairballs. These are small balls of fur that can form in a cat's esophagus or stomach when they groom themselves by ingesting loose hair. While some cats are less prone to this issue than others, all felines will experience this issue at least once in their lifetime. Hairballs can be very serious if left untreated because they can cause blockages in your pet's digestive tract as well as vomiting and diarrhea. In addition to causing discomfort, hairballs also make pets feel poorly which may result in decreased appetite and energy levels. Fortunately, there are several ways you can manage this problem safely for both yourself and your furry friend!
What Cats Need to Eliminate Hairballs
If you have a cat, you probably know that they're carnivores and that they like to eat hair. What you may not know is exactly why this causes them to have a hairball problem. It all comes down to how cats groom themselves and shed their fur as well as what plants they need for digestion. Cats are constantly grooming themselves because it's important for them to stay clean and healthy; however, when a cat eats fur or hair from another animal or even from its own coat (as well as plant materials), it will get stuck in its digestive tract where it can cause an obstruction called "impaction." Cats will then often cough up these obstructions--or "hairballs"--which are typically made up of mostly swallowed food but also include some vomited material as well as some loose hairs collected during grooming sessions throughout the day!
A Closer Look at the Science of Hairballs
A closer look at the science of hairballs
Your cat's hairballs are made up of fur and undigested food. When a cat grooms itself, it ingests some of its own furs along with the food it eats. This can cause blockages in your cat's digestive system that can be fatal if they get stuck in there, so it's important to keep an eye on them! In addition to being potentially deadly, hairballs also cause ulcers in cats' stomachs--and when this happens regularly over time (like if your cat sheds frequently), it may lead to constipation as well!
How to Manage the Problem Safely
- Feed your cat a diet low in fat and protein.
- Feed your cat food that is high in fiber.
- Give your cat canned food, or add some canned pumpkin to their dry kibble for an added boost of fiber. Cats who are fed dry food exclusively may be more likely to develop hairballs because there is less moisture in their digestive tract than if they were eating wet foods or drinking water regularly throughout the day. Try switching from dry food to canned if you notice an increase in hairball production after switching from one type of diet to another.
- You should also consider adding fiber supplements like psyllium husks (Metamucil), which can help reduce constipation problems associated with long-term use of many prescription medications including pain relievers such as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Check with your veterinarian before giving any type of supplement though because some might not be safe for cats' systems due to possible side effects such as reduced appetite or diarrhea caused by overdosing on certain nutrients such as vitamins A & D found naturally occurring within animal sources such as eggs and milk respectively.
- Brush Your Cat Regularly - Brushing helps distribute natural oils evenly throughout their coats so they don't get too greasy near those areas where most people tend to scratch at least once per day anyway! It also helps remove dead skin cells while stimulating circulation underneath which helps keep things healthy down there too!
You can safely manage your cat's hairball problem.
As a cat owner, you can safely manage your cat's hairball problem. Here are some tips:
- Feed your cat a diet that is low in fiber.
- Give your cat a hairball remedy. These products can be found online or at pet stores and contain safe ingredients such as papaya leaf extract, psyllium seed husks, and slippery elm bark powder. They're available in both liquid form (to be added to food) or dry powder (for sprinkling over wet food). Some cats may not like the taste of these remedies--try mixing them with tuna juice or chicken broth for better results!
- Brush your cat regularly with a soft-bristled brush designed specifically for grooming cats' fur coats.
- Clean the litter box regularly.
- Check with your vet to see if there are other options to manage hairballs such as surgery or special diets designed specifically for cats who suffer from this condition frequently.
Conclusion
You've learned a lot about hairballs and how to manage them. Now it's time to put your new knowledge into practice! Remember that the best way to keep your cat from getting sick is by keeping her healthy in the first place. Good nutrition, plenty of exercise, and lots of love will help keep her coat shiny and smooth while also helping prevent hairballs from forming in the first place.