If your cat Whiskers occasionally coughs up a tube-shaped clump of fur, you are likely looking at a hairball. While unpleasant, hairballs are fairly common in cats. What matters is understanding when they are harmless and when they may signal a bigger problem.
Culprit unveiled
So your cat has been coughing, then puked up, something… At the scene of the crime? A gross smelling ball of fuzz. This clump of fur is called a hairball. The smell usually comes from stomach acid and bile. While hairballs can look alarming, occasional episodes are generally common in cats. However there are some complications that arise because of hairballs.
In this article we will discuss more on
- How these hairballs form
- Why they might be harmful
As well as methods and potential solutions to deal with them.
Hairballs: the origin story
Cats have a tendency to groom themselves by licking their furry bodies. They do this through papillaries on their tongues, which act like hooks cleaning loose hair on its fur which it then swallows. This hair is normally expelled with the stool, but there are cases in which these hairs accumulate within the digestive tract, forming hairballs.
Hairballs are more common in long-haired cats, heavy shedders, and cats that groom frequently.
Now that we know why they form, we need to know when these balls become a problem.
When these hairballs become a problem
Smaller hairballs are often vomited up. But larger hairballs can potentially obstruct the digestive system of your cat. In this scenario, the hairball becomes harmful. But how would a pet owner find out that their cat’s digestive system is blocked? Here are some symptoms:
- Loss of appetite
- Frequent vomiting without producing hairballs
- Lethargy
- Constipation or difficulty passing stool
But why does this matter? If there are hairballs blocking the digestive tract of your cat, this means A large hairball may cause digestive discomfort or even a blockage, which can become a medical concern.
However, in severe cases, your cat needs veterinary attention.
- Hairball symptoms worsening or persisting over long durations of time
- Signs of blockage; no eating, no bowel movement and repeated vomiting
These signs suggest your cat should be seen by a veterinarian.
So how do we manage these hairballs?
We understood what these hairballs are, we have understood why they should be taken seriously, but how does a pet owner manage them? There are several ways in which a pet owner can help manage or reduce the risk of hairballs forming inside your kitties. We will categorize them into two factors, actions pet owners can undertake to manage hairballs, and how nutrition can help reduce hairballs.
- Managing hairballs
To manage hairballs and reduce the risk of one forming in your cat pet owners can do a combination of three things:
- Regular Grooming
Brush frequently to remove loose fur, especially important for long-haired cats
- Coat Care
Maintain healthy skin and coat using gentle grooming products to reduce shedding
- Hydration
Ensuring adequate water intake supports smoother digestion
- Nutrition controlling hairballs
Nutrition can also help when managing hairballs in cats. Fibers in food help move hair in the digestive tract, and essential fats promote a healthier coat of fur, reducing the risks of excess loose hair, lessening the chances of hairballs forming.
There are key terms that you need to look for in your feed to know if they help with hairballs:
- Digestive support ingredients
- Balanced nutrition
- Nutritional support for hairball control
Keos+ Hairball control
One of the possible solutions in providing nutrition for your pets is feeding them KEOS+’s hairball control. Keos+ Hairball control is specifically designed to support cat hairball management ensuring overall pet wellbeing.
We achieve this through:
- Natural fiber blend to help move swallowed hair through the digestive tract
- Digestive support for everyday comfort
- Nutrients that help support skin and coat health
Keos+ Hairball control is not about eliminating hairballs, but supporting the right nutritional conditions for digestive health: more fiber intake, healthier coat of fur, better daily digestive health.
Pet owners can rest assured their cats are taken care of through Keos’ simply good kibbles.
