April 25th is Hairball Awareness Day. Why is there a day dedicated to hairballs? They aren’t exactly something to celebrate. As far as we know, they haven’t become aware, either. The point here is actually to spread awareness about the fact that hairballs can be very dangerous to cats. Occasionally, kitties can’t get rid of their hairballs in the usual way. This can cause painful—and potentially life-threatening—intestinal blockages. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help prevent—or at least reduce—hairballs. A Plano, TX vet lists some key ones below.
Brushing
Brushing Fluffy regularly can be very helpful here. You’ll be grabbing that dead hair with a brush before she can swallow it. Plus, it will remove dirt and dander, which you also don’t really want your feline friend swallowing. Many cats actually like being brushed. The key is to make your little buddy realize that she’s being pampered, not punished. Choose a time when your kitty feels relaxed and affectionate, and gently brush in the direction of her fur.
Hairball Prevention
This one’s a bit of a no-brainer. As the name suggests, hairball prevention products are designed to prevent hairballs. These are particularly beneficial for cats that shed heavily, have long fur, and/or get a lot of hairballs. Ask your vet for specific recommendations.
Ground Fluffy
Keeping Fluffy in just won’t help with hairballs; it’s also safer for her in general. As far as hairballs go, this helps because indoor kitties typically shed less than cats that are allowed to roam. This is because they’re protected from the weather changes that trigger hair growth and shedding cycles.
Parasite Prevention
Make sure to keep up with Fluffy’s parasite control! If your feline pal gets fleas, she’ll get quite itchy, and may lick and groom herself excessively. More grooming means more fur gets swallowed, which in turn translates to more hairballs.
Nutrition
Good food is crucial to Fluffy’s health and well-being for many reasons. It’s also very important for her coat. A nourishing diet will contain things like essential fatty acids and omega-3 and omega-6 oils, which help keep kitties’ coats healthy and shiny. This also reduces the amount of dead, dry hair your pet gets. Less dead fur on your cat means less dead fur in your cat!
Is your kitty overdue for an exam? Contact us, your Plano, TX veterinary clinic, anytime!
