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Surviving Spouses | Pets
HairballsHairballs. The bane of many a cat owner's existence. The bane of any cat owner who has carpeted flooring's existence! Their scientific name is as annoying as they are - trichobezoars. They are little balls of hair that end up in a cat's stomach resulting from the cat's grooming routine. While many cats have no problems with hairballs, they can cause stomach upset, resulting in anything from gagging and retching to full-blown vomiting episodes. Sometimes hair is found in the vomit, but often the hairball will upset the stomach enough for the cat to bring up food or liquid, but not the hairball itself. Occasional hairball episodes (approximately 1-4 times per month) are considered normal for cats. Longhaired breeds do tend to have more of a problem with hairballs. The best treatment for hairballs is prevention. Brushing your cat regularly to remove loose hair should aid in reducing hairball episodes. Make it part of a daily routine - most cats enjoy the attention. Grooming mitts are now available, as some cats do not enjoy the brush or comb, but adore petting. If daily brushings are not effective and the problem persists, do consult your veterinarian. Possible remedies include cat foods with hairball control components, OTC petroleum based laxative medications, or other home-style remedies such as a teaspoon of canned pumpkin mixed into their food, or into some tuna water. Always read and follow the directions for any purchased hairball remedies carefully. Be sure to contact your vet for information and assistance, as there are many causes of vomiting in cats, some of which can be quite serious. Do not automatically assume frequent vomiting is hairball related, especially if daily grooming sessions are not successful in reducing the episodes. |
