Hair Ball Treatment for Cats

Cats spend about 10 percent of their time grooming, according to Pets.ca, so hair balls will generally become a problem at one point in a cat's life, especially if the cat has long hair. Cats end up ingesting fur, and this causes an upset stomach, which often results in vomiting. A normal amount of occurrences is generally between one and four in one month, and while this is problematic, there are things you can do to lessen the amount of hair balls in your home.

  1. Significance

    • Hair balls are not simply inconveniences for you and your cat. While they are normal, they can also be dangerous for your cat if lodged in the stomach or intestines. Treatment is critical because it helps eliminate any possible bad scenarios. Treatment is also important as it helps you determine if your cat has hair balls or some other medical condition.

    Over-the-Counter Treatment

    • Several cat food manufacturers, such as Friskies or Meow Mix, offer cat food mixes made especially for controlling hair balls. Other types of treatments include treats designed to dissolve hair balls.

      Petroleum-based pastes or gels are also available, which are applied to the cat's paw for him to lick off. These pastes should be given at least two hours after your feed your cat, and it's generally best not to mix the paste with any cat food or treats.

    Home Treatments

    • A teaspoon of canned pumpkin mixed with your cat's regular food is a home remedy recommended by Pets.ca. Adding sources of fiber to your cat's diet will improve digestion and cause the fur to be digested more quickly.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Reducing the amount of fur your cat has contact with is one way you can cut down on the number of hair balls in your home. Brushing your cat daily will help eliminate a large portion of the hair it would normally ingest while grooming. Cats are easier to brush when they are resting or napping. Most cats also prefer brushes with soft bristles that remove clumps of hair. Another option is a grooming glove.

    Warnings

    • If your cat's hair ball problem does not improve after you've taken steps to remedy the situation, you should contact a veterinarian, as there may be an underlying and more serious cause behind the vomiting.