Hairballs or Trichobezoars: They’re Nasty for Cats and Owners, Fashion for Some

Published May 1, 2012

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Courtesy of Jo Singer

No matter what you call them, hairballs are nasty for both cats and owners.

April 27 was Hairball Awareness Day, but as far as I am concerned, since trichobezoars (the scientific term for hairballs) can potentially create grave health risks to felines, many folks sharing their homes with cats think hairball awareness should be an everyday event.

Although some folks may consider setting aside a special day to commemorate Hairball Awareness Day to be amusing, hairballs are nothing to laugh about. According to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, a large clump of hair ingested by a kitty can be life threatening because hairballs can block the intestinal tract.

While it's normal for most cats to occasionally vomit up hairballs (1-4 times a month), if a cat vomits repeatedly, it can be a sign of a serious underlying medical condition; so it’s important to schedule a veterinary visit as soon as possible.

Learn how hairballs can affect your cat's health

Even though hairballs are indeed a serious topic, let’s explore the topic’s lighter-side for a moment.

When I talk about hairballs with my cat loving friends, many of them have readily shared with me how grossed out they are when they get out of bed barefoot in the middle of the night and step onto a freshly deposited mass of sticky wet fur. YUCK! They squish between the toes and are cold and slimy. It’s enough to send chills down their spines.

Bearing this in mind, would you seriously consider adorning yourself with material made from what might ultimately turn into a hairball?

The Truth About Hairballs

I was laughing out loud, gasping in disbelief, pondering up this question, while I was reading a (pardon the expression) plug on Moderncat.

Heidi Abrahamson, one of their modern jewelry makers “extraordinaire,” is transforming cat fur into fashionable jewelry using her silversmith skills and artistic eye for modern design. For those whose interest is piqued, enjoy the thought of having custom-made jewelry designed made from your kitty’s fur; contact Heidi directly for details and pricing.

While it may seem be rather bizarre at first to wear cat hair, on the other paw, “purrhaps” it may be the ultimate bonding experience with your kitty. Since the hair is gathered during grooming sessions, it also reduces the risk of those pesky, nasty hairballs.

What is your opinion about jewelry fashioned out of left-over feline fur? Share your thoughts with a comment.

Jo Singer

Shortly after retiring as a social worker and psychotherapist, I discovered my "writer's voice"…

Filed Under: News & Blogs, Trouble Sniffer
Tags: Cats, cat hairballs, hairball awareness day, hairball prevention

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Comments (4)

POn (Unverified)

Added 04-03-2013 12:53pm

It may sound like your cat is thniowrg up, and it is. But it is only thniowrg up a hairball. Nothing that would hurt it. Here is a website about Hairballs in cats. About the Science Diet food for your cat: Foods such as Science Diet, although more expensive than the average, are often better for your cat. They are low-bulk, which means that cats will digest more of the food, thus eating and eliminating less. They contain little or no dyes, which can be important if your cat vomits regularly (easier to clean up); probably also good from a diet viewpoint. These foods are also beneficial for the cats coats and many readers have attested to their cat's silky fur and good health on these diets.

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Iniki (Unverified)

Added 05-03-2012 10:30am

Well....purrsonally....wearing cat vomit isn't my thing but then again if it is processed like other anima fibers it would be fine. I hate to say this but it is all I can do to clean up those hairy gifts and usually I press my kids into doing the job so I don't get sick myself.

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Ann

Added 05-01-2012 07:37pm

Jewelry made from kitty groomings depends entirely on how good the designer is. Did anyone see Gaga's purple hair dress profiled on Yahoo yesterday? I don't think she got it from an exceptionally long furred purple cat but I am way less grossed out from a garment made from combed fur than I would be with something made by a process that didn't just recycle something the cat was already done with. And spinners have been spinning yarn from cat fur for some time and making sweaters and the like from it. It's waaaaaay better than the moose turd jewelry sold to tourists in Alaska. That is, as far as I know, made from the real deal, coated with gold paint.