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What Are Cat Hairballs?Cat hairballs, also called furballs, hair balls or fur balls are a fairly regular event in the lives of most cats and cat owners. It can be disturbing to new cat owners to find a wet, black hairball on their carpet that looks kind of like it came from the other end of their cat. And, of course sometimes the hacking and vomiting of the cat hairball causes an inexperienced cat owner a great deal of concern (and even discomfort when you step on a fresh hairball in the middle of the night!). What is a Hairball? Cat hairballs are masses of fur that form in your kitty's stomach. They are one of the most common health problems of cats. If you have any experience with cats or kittens, you know that they are almost continuously grooming themselves by licking their coats. Their tongues have little barbs that help them to groom, but also cause them to swallow of lot of hair. Of course, long-haired cats are more likely to have hairballs than short-haired cats. Most swallowed cat hair can pass through your kitty's digestive system without you even notice. You'll recognize the ball of hair if your cat vomits it up. When it's fresh, it's wet and dark and shaped like a small dark cigar or sausage (both of which are not great examples if you're a non-smoker and vegetarian). How to Prevent Cat Hairballs Brushing your cat regularly can help to remove excess fur and keep your kitty from swallowing the fur when she grooms. Brushing your cat or kitten is particularly useful during shedding season (which will vary depending on the climate you live in, but is usually during the spring and summer months). It’s a good idea to get in the habit of regularly (ideally every day) brushing your cat when he's a kitten. This will get him used to grooming and make easier for you and your cat in the coming years. Cats and kittens also tend to shed more when they're in stressful situations. You many notice that a trip to the veterinarian often leads to a lot of loose hair on your cat. Feeding your cat a healthy, well-balanced diet is not only one of the best things to keep your cat healthy, it will also help to keep her coat in good shape. This helps to prevent excessive shedding and, in turn, helps to prevent your kitty from developing hairballs. How Do Cats Get Rid of Hairballs? Much of the cat hair that your cat licks off passes through her digestive system and is eliminated in their stool. Sometimes the accumulation of fur in your kitty's belly becomes too big to pass in their stool and they end up vomiting the hairball out. If you have an outdoor cat, you may notice your cat eating grass. Somehow cats instinctively know that this is good for their health. Eating grass helps your cat to pass the hairball. In the worse case scenario, your cat may not eliminate the furball through their stool or they may not be able to vomit out the hairball. It could cause a blockage in their intestines. This can cause your kitty to be constipated. In the very worst case scenario, your kitty may need surgery to remove the cat hairball. If you notice any changes in your cat or kitten's behavior, like constipation, depression, lethargy, or an unusual lack of interest in eating, you should contact your veterinarian immediately. From cat hairballs to My Healthy Cat home
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