Tips for Preventing Hairballs

April is Hair ball Awareness Month. We know, hairballs aren’t really something to celebrate. They’re unpleasant both for us and our feline friends. Fortunately, there are a few things that you can do to reduce the amount of hairballs your kitty gets. A Huntersville, NC vet lists some of them below.

Brushing

The best thing you can do to reduce hairballs is to brush your cat regularly. You’ll be getting that dust, dander, and dead fur out of Fluffy’s coat before she can swallow it. That directly translates into fewer hairballs. This is also a good chance for you to just spend time with your feline pal, and make her feel pampered.

Keep Kitty In

Did you know that cats who go outdoors tend to shed more than kitties who stay inside? They’re more exposed to the seasonal weather cycles that trigger shedding. Your furry buddy will also be safer as an indoor pet.

Provide Good Food

Proper nutrition makes a difference to every aspect of Fluffy’s health and well-being. This includes her coat! Making sure that your kitty is getting good, nourishing food will help keep her coat shiny, and will reduce the amount of dead, dry fur she loses. Ask your vet for specific advice.

Hairball Remedies

Hairball preventatives, as the name suggests, can also be quite useful. These will be particularly beneficial if Fluffy has long or thick fur, or is a heavy shedder. Ask your vet for specific advice.

Kitty Brush Tubes

While brushing your feline buddy is very helpful, there are other ways that you can give Fluffy a hand. There are kitty furniture pieces with wire ‘brushes’ attached. These help cats brush themselves, as the bristles capture kitties’ fur. (Of course, whether your pet actually uses this piece, or just turns her nose up at it, is a different story.)

Tips

Keep in mind that hairballs are sometimes more than just a gross nuisance. Sometimes cats can’t expel their hairballs properly, and they get stuck. This can lead to intestinal blockages, which are both very painful and very dangerous for Fluffy. If your furry friend is producing more hairballs than usual, dry heaving, not eating, and/or vomiting excessively or violently, contact your vet right away.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if ever we can be of assistance. As your Huntersville, NC veterinary clinic, we are here to help!