Got Hairballs?
How Can You Help Your Cat Prevent Hairballs?
 Watching
your cat suffer with cat hairballs can be quite unnerving.
Victoria Brown from Online Pet Pharmacy has positive results
with reducing or eliminating cat hairballs with the product
discussed in her article.
Veterinary Supplies -
How Can I Help My Cat With Hairballs?
Does your cat suffer from hairballs? Hairballs in cats are
actually quite common. Cats have many rough projections on their
tongues that are called papillae. These papillae are used to help
cats groom their fur. While the cat is grooming, it often ingests
fur which gets caught in the cat's stomach or small intestines.
This
causes a blockage or what is more commonly known as a hairball. Even
though they are common, there are ways to help your cat prevent and
treat them.
What types of cats are most susceptible?
There are three different types of coats that your cat can have:
short hair, medium hair, and long hair. Cats with long hair get
hairballs more often. Cats with soft fur also tend to get more. The
soft fur sticks to the tongue easier than coarse fur. Indoor cats
are also more likely to get hairballs. Since they do not spend time
exploring outdoors, they spend more time grooming.What are the symptoms?
Vomiting is the most common symptom of a hairball. The vomit may or
may not contain fur. Other symptoms include not eating as often or
as much, and hiding because they do not feel well.How can I help to prevent them?
To prevent hairballs, you need to help your cat reduce the amount of
fur they ingest and help the fur that is ingested pass easily
through the digestive system. The best way to reduce the amount of
hair that is ingested is to thoroughly brush your cat daily. Make
sure to use a good wire brush, which pick up hair that your cat
would otherwise lick up.
Brush your cat for 5 to 10 minutes each
day, making sure that the brushing is done slowly from head to tail.
Most cats love being groomed and will enjoy the daily activity.
You should also let your cat go outside and eat some grass. Grass
works as a laxative that helps them pass hair through their
digestive systems. It also helps them to vomit up hairballs that
have already formed in their stomach or intestines.
How do I treat hairballs?
To help the ingested fur pass through the digestive system, you
could give your cat an intestinal lubricant, such as Laxatone. The
lubricant breaks down the cat's fur and keeps it from sticking to
the lining of the stomach and intestines. To give your cat the
lubricant, simply put a few drops on their nose or paw and let them
lick it off.
The recommended dose in cats is ½ to 1 teaspoonful for 2 to 3
days, then ¼ to ½ teaspoonful 2 to 3 times a week.
Corner Animal Hospital : Online Pet Pharmacy & Veterinary Service (http://www.corneranimal.com)
Buy the Medications Your Pet Needs With Confidence. Owned by Ivy
League Educated Dr. Dorothy Hayes and Dr. Judith Lombardi Daniels.
"We treat your pets as family members. Their health and comfort are
our primary concern."
Visit our Blog to read more, comment, and/or ask questions at (http://corneranimal.wordpress.com)
Submitted by Victoria at NewSunGraphics (http://www.NewSunGraphics.com)
A Natural Approach
These days cat owners are looking for natural alternative to
treating cat hairballs and all kinds of cat ailments. You
have options for homeopathic remedies.
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