Although your cat should normally only pass one hairball every week or so, hairballs are a relatively common problem in cats. There are several ways to help your cat with hairballs. You might use a home cure, such as petroleum jelly or hairball paste, if your cat appears to be having problems passing a hairball. However, you should see a veterinarian if your cat is displaying symptoms of a digestive obstruction. Take your cat to the vet for a diagnosis if you believe this may be the problem. Cats with asthma may appear to be coughing up a hairball.
1. Give Your Cat Hairball Paste to Help Them With Hairballs
Give your cat hairball paste to help the hairball move. This particular paste is designed especially for cats and functions as a lubricant for the hairball. Your cat will lick the small amount you apply to its paw off. On the cat’s fur, apply a thin strip of the paste. Try softly applying it beneath the front elbow if your cat shakes it off its front paw.
Hairball pastes are available in interesting flavors that your cat is sure to adore, such salmon. Simply placing some on a plate for your cat to lick can be possible. You’ll typically need to apply the hairball paste to your cat several times. Until the hairball passes, give your cat the paste twice daily for 3 to 5 days.
2. Use Petroleum to Help Your Cat with Hairballs
For a less expensive alternative, use a 12 tsp (2.5 mL) of petroleum jelly. This natural cure might help your cat pass a hairball by acting as a laxative. For your cat to be able to lick the jelly off, apply it to a paw. To prevent the cat from shaking it off, try to slightly rub it in. If your cat shakes it off, try putting it somewhere where shaking won’t be as easy, like underneath the front leg.
3. Give Your Cat Hairball Remedy Treats
To stop future hairballs, give your cat 4-6 biscuits designed as a hairball cure. At your local pet store, you can discover a variety of types of dry treats for hairballs. These treats are best used to prevent future hairballs, while they may assist your cat in passing a current one. For information on how many to give your cat, refer to the packaging. Because there is no sticky paste or gel, these are a simple solution. Your cat will frequently simply eat them. Continue giving your cat the treats that are the hairball treatment after it has passed its hairball to stop other hairballs from forming.
4. Use Hairball Control Cat Food
For a long-term fix, try a cat food that controls hairballs. The current hairball in your cat may be alleviated by switching the food. It will, however, probably contribute to fewer future incidents. Find one that makes the claim “hairball control.” These dishes use a variety of strategies to treat hairballs, such as upping the fiber or omega-3 fatty acid content in the dish.
5. Give Your Cat Pumpkin to Help Them with Hairballs
Give your cat’s food a tablespoon of canned pumpkin. Pumpkin includes fiber that can aid with your cat’s hairball passing. To make it more appealing to your cat, combine it with canned food. Try wheatgrass powder, coconut fiber powder, or psyllium seed husk powder as additional fiber options. Add about a half-teaspoon (2.5 mL) to the cat’s wet food.
6. Give Your Cat Olive Oil to Help Them with Hairballs
14 tsp (1.2 mL) of olive oil should be added to your cat’s diet. Combine it with some dry cat food or even some wet cat food. Olive oil has a slight laxative effect that aids in hairball movement. While you can occasionally utilize this treatment, try to avoid doing so frequently. The body of your cat likes fats derived from meat.
7. Check if Your Cat is Coughing Without Producing a Hairball
Keep an eye out to see if your cat hacks without passing a hairball. If your cat keeps hacking but doesn’t produce anything, it may be due to a clog in its digestive tract. If your cat repeatedly hacks without producing anything, pay close attention. Additionally, make sure your cat is not defecating. If it isn’t, there is clearly a blockage and a vet visit is required. As an alternative, because of the blockage, your cat can get diarrhea.
Cats who have asthma adopt a particular position when they hack. They typically hack while squatting down and extending their neck forward. Watch to see if your cat adopts this stance. Asthma may be present in your cat if it frequently does not cough up anything while in this position.
Although cat coughing can sound like hacking, it most likely sounds more like wheezing. Although it may seem like a “dry” or “wet” cough, your cat may actually be coughing up mucus and swallowing it. When coughing, your cat could extend its tongue out.
8. Groom Your Cat Regularly
If your cat has hairballs, groom it every day until the fur is under control. Hairballs can frequently be avoided! As it grooms, your cat eats its own fur, resulting in hairballs. Your cat won’t eat that fur if you brush it away. If your cat has hairballs now or in the past, brush it every day until there is minimal fur left on the brush. Then you can modify your grooming routine to suit the length of its coat. Your cat’s hairballs could be the result of a buildup of shed hair. Even cats with short hair shed and require grooming.
To prevent hairballs, regularly brush and comb long-haired cats. The fur should first be worked through with a comb before being brushed. This will not only lessen the likelihood of hairballs, but it will also keep your cat’s fur tidy and free of mats. When you groom your cat, show it a lot of affection and give it a treat to help it see grooming more favorably. After each grooming session, clean your comb and brush. To maintain their coat, short-haired cats should be brushed twice weekly. Even cats with short hair shed, therefore they should be brushed frequently. This keeps their coat glossy and prevents hairballs. Pet your cat frequently while grooming it will make the process more enjoyable. Additionally, you ought to praise the cat with snacks.
9. Talk to Your Vet to Help Your Cat with Hairballs
If your cat is displaying several symptoms, take it to the doctor. Home cures might not work if your cat is seriously obstructed. In fact, since your cat won’t be able to digest food, obstructions can result in death if left untreated. The issue might not even be a hairball, so you should consult your veterinarian to confirm that.
