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Cats And Hairballs
The problem begins during the cleaning process when cats often swallow their own hair. The
cat's tongue is the culprit. It has tiny, barb-like projections on its surface which pull
loose hair from the coat. Because of the inward angle of these barbs, the hair remains
lodged on the tongue's surface until the cat swallows it. Since hair is largely insoluble
protein, it cannot be dissolved by the cat's digestive system. As this undigested hair begins
to knot in the stomach and accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract it can interfere with
normal digestion and elimination.
Symptoms of "hairballs" include constipation, lethargy, dry cough, and even spitting up. It
is also the most frequent cause of depression and loss of appetite in cats. The most dramatic
and obvious symptom is the regurgitated hairball which is often tubular in shape. Besides
being an inconvenience to clean up, it is a definite sign that your cat has a problem and
needs help. Although rarely fatal, hairballs are very uncomfortable for your cat and can lead
to serious complications.
What Can Be Done
Daily brushing of the cat's coat to remove loose hair is good preventive medicine.
"Longhaired" breeds like Himalayans and Persians need special attention. During the spring
when all cats shed, daily brushing is especially important.
Besides brushing the coat, several medications are available to eliminate hairballs and help
prevent their reoccurrence. There are natural dietary fiber supplements as well as a
non-irritating intestinal lubricants, both of which aid in the elimination of swallowed hair
and prevention of hairballs. Cats usually like the taste and take it readily. Remember, your
cat relies on you for your help in relieving this problem. A program of frequent brushing,
regular use of a hairball remedy and following the advice of your veterinarian is all it
takes.
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Cats spend a significant part of their lives cleaning and grooming - as much as 1/3 of their
waking hours. While this natural instinct makes them ideal house pets, it can lead to some
uncomfortable side effects.
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Copyright © 2008 Humane Society of Central Illinois. All rights reserved.