Today is National Hairball Awareness Day!
Did you know that the technical term for a hairball is trichobezoar? A hairball is clump of hair that gets caught in a cat’s digestive fluid and bile, and then gets ejected from the stomach undigested. Cats get hairballs when loose fur attaches to the tongue from licking and cleaning themselves, and then gets swallowed.
How can you prevent hairballs? Since hairballs are created from loose and shedded fur entering the intestinal tract during grooming, daily brushing can help lessen the amount of fur going into your cat’s body.
A good diet and keeping your cat hydrated can also help with hairballs. Hydration keeps the intestinal tract lubricated and keeps things running smoothly.
Some products such as Hairball Remedy can also help lessen or prevent hairballs in your cat. Feeding small amounts of catnip or cat grass as a treat helps provide your cat with extra fiber which makes it easier to rid the body of the hairball.
Take a look at the link from Veterinary Partner by VIN below to learn more about hairballs in cats!
216-749-7161
www.EmeraldAnimalHospital.com
4185 Ridge Rd. Cleveland OH. 44144
https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=6183225