If you have a cat, you’re likely familiar with hairballs. They’re one of the more unpleasant parts of cohabiting with a cat, especially if you’re unlucky enough to see or hear your cat coughing one up. While it may seem like they are going to vomit, hairballs are different. But what are they and why do cats get them? And, more importantly, can we make them stop?
Hairballs consist of undigested hair and digestive fluids from the stomach. They form when cats swallow loose fur while grooming. Most of the hairs pass through the body and get eliminated, but some remain in the stomach. As more fur accumulates, it forms a hairball, which eventually gets expelled through the mouth.
While it is unpleasant to have your cat vomit a hairball, it’s important that they do. Hairballs need to be expelled or they can become quite dangerous. They can get big enough to cause intestinal blockages which would require surgery to repair.
Unfortunately, it’s normal for cats to get hairballs and it’s impossible to prevent them completely, but there are some actions cat owners can take to decrease their likelihood. It’s very important to brush your cat and help them to remove loose fur, especially during shedding season. Every few days just do a quick grooming session with your kitty. All the fur you can easily brush off your cat is better left in the trash can than in her belly! If your cat is prone to developing hairballs, you can also feed your cat special lubricated treats that aid in preventing and treating hairballs. They help the fur pass through the digestive tract more easily.
While hairballs might not be the most glamourous part of owning a cat, the love moments you can create while grooming your pet and feeding them treats certainly make up for it!
Love, Nala
