Most cat owners know the sinking feeling you get when you hear your cat retch or, worse yet, have the unpleasant surprise of finding a hairball waiting for you when you get home. While some kitty parents may do little more than faithfully clean up after their beloved cats and wait for the next time, other cat owners want to find out more, so in this article, we explore how to prevent and/or treat hairballs in cats. With a better understanding of a cat’s physiology comes the ability to know when something progresses from normal behaviour to signs of something more worrying.
Why does my cat have hairballs?
Cats maybe some of the cleanest animals on Earth, thanks to their thorough grooming routines—some cats spend up to half of their time cleaning themselves! However, this also means that they swallow a lot of their fur throughout the day.
While most of this hair passes without issue through their digestive system, some hair may remain stagnant in the stomach for long enough to form a hairball or furball.
How do I know if my cat has a hairball?
Sometimes, the only way a cat owner will know if their cat has (or had) a hairball is to find the slippery, tube-shaped mass of hair that their cat has thrown up.
Other times, cats may display some symptoms immediately before ridding themselves of a hairball—gagging, coughing, or retching. Typically, this will last for only a short time before the cat can expel the hairball.
However, there are some instances when cats may show hairball symptoms for a more extended period. These symptoms tend to be signs of a longer-term, more serious issue:
- Diarrhoea
- Inability to pass stool
- Lack of appetite or unintended weight loss
- A lump in the stomach or a swollen belly
- Excessive sleepiness and a lack of energy
Cat owners who notice any of the above should contact their veterinarian promptly.
Are hairballs in cats dangerous?
Most of the time, hairballs are completely harmless. However, there are some times when they cross the line into abnormal and should be examined by a vet, such as when a cat is experiencing any of the more dangerous symptoms listed above.
While most hairballs can pass naturally through a cat’s digestive tract or be vomited, there are times when a hairball grows so large that it causes a blockage or impaction. When this occurs, the hairball remains stuck inside the cat’s digestive system and prevents food from passing naturally, causing a lack of appetite or changes in bathroom habits.
Unfortunately, this can be life-threatening if left untreated, and a veterinarian may have to perform surgery to remove the impacted hairball.
How to prevent hairballs in cats
Luckily, there are several ways for cat owners to work towards preventing hairballs in their cats. Even better, most of these steps are simple actions that can be taken each day and simply made part of a daily routine.
For example, cat owners can:
1. Groom your cat more frequently
Particularly for long-haired cats, helping cats to remove loose hair will be of huge benefit to them! Any hair not removed from daily brushing and grooming will likely end up in a cat’s digestive tract after bathing with their tongues—hence, hairballs. And make sure to increase your efforts during shedding season!
2. Ensure that your cat is well-hydrated
Providing a constant supply of fresh water for cats (and keeping track of how much they drink) is essential for their overall health and is particularly useful for keeping a cat’s digestive system working at its best.
3. Keep your cat active
Regular exercise will help to keep your cat’s digestive system active. The more active it is, the less likely the hair your cat has swallowed will collect in clumps and form a furball.
4. Give your cat some cat grass to eat
Cat grass can give your cat a boost in fibre and help them develop a more healthy digestion.
How to get rid of hairballs in cats
Knowing how to prevent hairballs in cats is important, but it’s just as crucial for cat owners to know how to treat/get rid of hairballs in cats when a problem arises! For cats with a more stubborn hairball problem, more intentional measures can be taken including:
- Dietary changes. Some cat foods are formulated with higher levels of fibre to assist the feline digestive system in passing hairballs naturally.
- Encouraging the cat to eat butter or oil. Just a small amount of these substances will leave the digestive tract slippery, making it easier for a cat to get rid of a stubborn hairball.
- Trying gel treatments or specialised treats. Other products have been made specifically to help cats expel hairballs that they might not be able to pass on their own.
Education and awareness are key to a healthy pet, even when it comes to hairballs! Cat parents can do their part to keep their cats comfortable and prevent excessive hairballs by making a few simple adjustments to their cat’s care and maintaining a watchful eye over their cat’s health.
A good rule of thumb
If in doubt, call the vet. Hairballs may usually be harmless, but don’t take any chances!
Defurr-UM
Hairball Remedy
Defurr-UM helps remove & prevent hairballs in cats by assisting the passage of fur through the gut to stop hairballs forming in the first place.
It’s a good source of fibre for healthy digestion, Vitamin E, a natural antioxidant and it has a tasty natural flavour that pets just love!
