Since cats have rough tongues which they use to clean their fur, their stomach collects hair in large quantities. Most of the hair will be processed through their digestive system and find its way out in their stools. However, from time to time too much hair will accumulate in the stomach. This undigested hair is called “hairballs” or “furballs”.
There are only 2 ways for a cat to get rid of this undigested hair — through the aid of the digestive system and coughing or vomiting it up. In short, out one end or the other. If a cat cannot get rid of these hair-balls, she might suffer from a blockage in the intestine or stomach. Left untreated for too long, it can become life-threatening. Without surgery, the blockage might be deadly.
Lee, our long-haired kitty with the most fur-balls
There are several things you can do to help prevent the build up of hair-balls in your cat’s body.
1. Brush his fur. A regular brushing (at least daily for long-haired cats), will remove much of the loose hair keeping it from being swallowed.
2. Improve her diet. If your cat seems to throw up a lot, you can add a little mineral oil with her food daily. Mix about 1 teaspoon with her soft or even hard food every day for a week, then once a week. This will help the digestive system dispose of the dead, swallowed hair.
3. Give him petroleum-based treats. These come in a tube and will help to do what the mineral oil or petroleum jelly does — coat his tummy and digestive system for easier passage through the body.
I have several cats that love this stuff and beg for more. But I have others that refuse to eat it. I’ve found that the trick is to scrape it behind their top teeth. Other ways I’ve tried with mixed results are applying some on their paws or snout and they will lick it off. Several times I’ve had the stuff flung across the room when the cat shakes his paw vigorously.
4. Give him petroleum jelly. You can give him a finger full (about 1/2 teaspoon) of petroleum jelly every 3 or 4 days. Cats will not eat this of their own accord, so you have to find another way like those mentioned in #3).
Signs of hair-ball distress
Symptoms of a hair-ball blockage will consist of the following: coughing and hacking for more than a day, lack of appetite and lack of body eliminations. If any of these occur, take your cat to the vet right away.
Purrs, Frankie
Lee here. This is a topic I know something about. After all, I hold the indoor record for fur-balls. I hacked up one once that was the size of a small rat. Mom wasn’t too happy, but I’m sure she was proud. (snicker, snicker) I know I was.
