Tuesday, July 21, 2009

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What causes hairballs in cats? During a cat's daily grooming regimen, he may inadvertently swallow loose hair, which generally passes through the digestive system into the cat's stool. Some hair can remain, however, and collect in the stomach or small intestine, causing the cat to hack, gag or retch until he vomits the offending detritus. The hair that is vomited can appear matted or tubular in shape. What are the symptoms of hairballs? The primary symptoms of hairballs are periodic hacking, gagging and vomiting. Hairballs may also cause decreased appetite and constipation. You might see accumulated hair in the vomited material. However, sometimes a hairball can cause an upset stomach and the cat will bring up just food or mucus. Signs of a major hairball problem and possible impaction are retching, inability to defecate, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or a swollen abdomen. Since cats spend so much time licking and cleaning themselves, they swallow a lot of hair. Hairballs, or "fur balls" are quantities of hair that accumulate in the cat's stomach or small intestine. Normally, most of the hair that is swallowed is expelled through the cat's digestive system in their stool. Problems occur when hair that does not get excreted gathers in the cat's stomach or intestine and forms a dense ball or mat which cannot be passed. The ball is then vomited. The signs of hairballs in cats, then, are related to the digestive system and include vomiting, loss of appetite, or constipation. Hairballs are actually one of the most common reasons that cats vomit. The "hacking" you may notice when your cat is bringing up a hairball may be gagging or retching, as the cat tries to vomit the hairball. Are certain cats prone to hairballs? Long-haired cats, those who shed excessively and those who groom themselves compulsively are especially prone to hairballs. In some cases, frequent vomiting of hair balls may indicate an underlying gastrointestinal problem, such as inflammatory bowel disease or cancer. How can I prevent hairballs? If your veterinarian has determined that hairballs are causing your cat's occasional vomiting, there are several ways to help decrease their formation: Brush your cat to decrease the amount of hair that is ingested. If he/she has long hair, try to brush them daily. Afterwards, wipe your cat with a clean cloth to remove any loose hairs. Feed your pet commercial cat food specifically formulated to reduce hairballs. By improving skin and coat health, reducing shedding and increasing the amount of fiber in your cat's diet, certain foods can decrease the formation of hairballs. Give your cat a hairball remedy or lubricant, available at most pet supply stores, to encourage the passage of hair through the intestinal tract. Such products should be used as directed. If your cat grooms himself excessively, give them a new toy or engage them in play to distract them from this activity. You will not only reduce the incidence of hairballs, but also spend some quality social time with your furry friend. Monday, June 22, 2009