Hairy Situation: What’s the Deal with My Cat’s Hairballs?

Every cat owner has been (unpleasantly) surprised by a hairball on the carpet, couch or floor. It’s always disturbing to see and hear your cat hacking up a hairball. We love our fluff balls, but those hairballs aren’t the best part of cat ownership.

Now, cats have always been known as fastidious groomers as demonstrated by their constant licking and cleaning. Ingested hair is a by-product of your cat’s compulsive grooming. Much of the swallowed hair passes through the digestive tract without a problem. However, hair that gets stuck in their stomach can result in a regurgitated hairball and an unwelcome mess on your floor.

We’ve all been down that road before, right?

Hairballs are disgusting but usually harmless. Yet, repeated vomiting could be a sign of an intestinal blockage. Other common symptoms of a blockage include reduced appetite, lethargy, constipation, diarrhea and GI distress. Frequent hacking may also signify that your cat is suffering from a respiratory condition. Consult your veterinarian if you notice any of these symptoms for an extended period of time!

The fact is that you can’t prevent your cat from grooming or the resulting hairballs. But, you can do your part to limit the recurrence of hairballs. How so?

Grooming your cat is one way to minimize hairballs. Daily brushing or combing will prevent ingestion of loose hair. As a result, your cat may produce fewer hairballs. Long-haired cats like Persians should be professionally groomed to prevent hairballs. Also, what cat doesn’t purr when being combed?

Supplements Give your cat Hairball from Pet Naturals of Vermont. It’s a daily supplement that helps eliminate hairballs by addressing skin and GI tract health. Hairball’s breakthrough formula includes Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, Biotin and cranberry powder without herbal ingredients. Give Hairball to your cat to help eliminate hairballs by promoting skin and GI tract health.

Break out the toys! Regular playing and activity help keep your kitty’s digestive system working like a charm. That way, ingested hair can easily move through the GI tract.

Just follow these simple tips and you’ll be on the fast-track to a hairball-free existence!