Grooming to Reduce Hairballs
A hairball is exactly what it sounds like: a small accumulation of hair in your cat's stomach or small intestine collected and swallowed during your cat's auto-grooming sessions. When the cat can't excrete the hair a ball forms, which must be vomited up or it will obstruct the cat's intestinal tract.
Signs of hairballs include gagging, vomiting, weight loss or loss of appetite, and constipation. Most cats are able to eventually cough up the ball, but frequent hairballs can be dangerous. If your cat is prone to hairballs, experts suggest increasing the motility of the digestive tract with mild cat laxatives (human products can be too strong, and homemade products can create other digestive problems). Regularly brushing your cat -- daily for long-haired cats, weekly for short-haired -- can lessen the amount of hair the cat ingests. Also, some dry cat foods are made with an anti-hairball formula.
Some vets warn that hairballs can actually be a warning sign. According to experts, if cats continuously throw up hairballs, it's an indication that owners are not spending enough time grooming the cat.
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Comments (2)
JoAnn October 28, 2009 9:57 PM
We are going to Florida for Christmas, from Illinois. They want us to bring the cat, cause we will be there for 2 weeks or so, and it would cost a fortune to board her. What is a good comfortable cage for her? WIRE OR A CLOTH ONE?? Also, do you put the liter box inside the cage, or put it on the floor of the car? She has never traveled before. Is there something I can give her, so she doesn't get car sick? Would you suggest a collar and leash for inside, so she doesn't happen to jump out? We have never taken an animal on a trip. Sorry for all the questions, but I do need help with this.
Doreen December 4, 2009 10:43 PM
I moved three kitties 1200 miles myself. I used a carrier with a soft towel on the floor of it. I did give each cat a mild sedative before each start of travel. No cat box necessary until arrival at hotel each evening. plenty of water and food each evening. They were happy.Also make sure that the kennels are unobstructed so that he air can circulate. If it gets too warm be sure to use the ac.
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