Cats and Hairballs: What You Need to Know and How to Prevent Them
Cats are fascinating pets, loved for their independence, elegance, and mysterious nature. However, every cat owner will sooner or later have to deal with a less pleasant aspect of cat care: hairballs . Although they are often considered a minor inconvenience, hairballs can sometimes lead to greater health problems. In this blog post, I'll discuss what hairballs are, why they occur, how to reduce their frequency, and what to do if your cat has a hairball.
Image of Steven Iodice via Pixabay
What Are Hairballs?
Hairballs, also known as trichobezoars , are clumped balls of hair that a cat secretes by vomiting. When a cat grooms itself, she uses her raw tongue to remove loose hair and dirt from her coat. Some of this hair is swallowed and normally passes through the digestive system without problems. Sometimes, however, the hair remains in the stomach and forms a ball that must eventually be regurgitated.
Why Do Cats Get Hairballs?
Cats spend a lot of time taking care of their fur. Long-haired cats such as Maine Coons, Persians or Ragdolls are more likely to swallow large amounts of hair, which increases the risk of hairballs. Older cats, who can be more obsessive in their grooming habits, are also more likely to develop hairballs.
