HAZARDS OF HAIRBALLS

Dirty litter boxes and hairballs probably top most cat owner's lists as the only ‘yuk’ factor of being a cat guardian. And most cat owners know to watch their step when they hear the hacking of their feline friend.

However, hairballs can be life threatening. Cats spend hours each day grooming and although constant grooming makes the coat look good, it often leads to stomach problems. This is particularly true of longhaired cats that respond by leaving little ‘presents’ on the floor. Signs of hairballs in cats are usually those associated with intestinal disturbances, particularly vomiting. Sometimes they have a hack or wretch that many owners mistake for a cough. This episode can be short-lived and productive, but sometimes the hairball can block the cat's breathing.

Cat's tongues are designed to brush hair out of their coats. This hair is swallowed, but once in the stomach, it cannot be digested. Hair stays in the cat's stomach where it accumulates, mixes with stomach contents and becomes a nasty mass. The only natural way for a cat to get rid of a hairball is by vomiting.

Hairballs that don't pass out of a cat's system can block the intestines. There is also the possibility that a hairball being coughed up can block airways.

There are medical ways to break down hairballs so they can safely pass through the cat's digestive system and most cats with hairball problems respond to a daily dose of hairball remedy, a mild laxative, such as a commercial blend of flavoured mineral oil.

Preventative measures include feeding the cat a brand of food that offers a special formula to prevent hairball accumulation and regular brushing to reduce or prevent hairballs.

Rabbits are another pet susceptible to hairballs. They also spend quite a bit of time grooming themselves and ingest much of their shed hair. Consult a veterinarian for specific treatment for rabbits with hairball problems.

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