Hairballs: Did You Know They Aren't Coughed Up?

Hairball Facts:

• Hairballs are chunks of hair that don’t pass normally through your cat's intestinal tract.
• Cats groom themselves (and others); fur is supposed to travel from stomach to litterbox.
• Cats that don’t pass them have a problem because they are not moving through the tract like they should.
• Some believe hairballs mean your cat may have an underlying gastrointestinal problem.
• Where are the hairballs founds in cats? They are found in their stomach, so they aren’t coughed up. The stomach’s movement to rid them is what causes them to come up.
• If your cat doesn’t pass them, but coughs, it could be asthma.

What Can You Do?  

For occasional hairballs, try a lubricant like Laxatone, which comes flavored and in a tube for easy dispensing. Some pet food manufacturers claim they have Hairball Formulas. Purina One Hairball Formula contains extra fiber, which helps move fur out of the digestive tract more quickly. It also contains fatty acids essential for skin and hair health, and yogurt.

For more severe cases, as always, please consult with your vet.

Learn more at West Hartford Pet Sitters.