Cats are one of the most unique and sassy animals of all. They stand out for their unique senses, night vision, and ability to rotate their ears 180 degrees. Along with these features, studies have shown that cats have a calming effect on their owners. From the soothing action of petting to purring, it helps fall asleep and decrease stress with a serotonin boost.

Regardless of the love and affection of having a pet cat, there are also certain challenges, especially when it comes to fluffy cats. As per cat parents, the most concerning issue is hairballs. Hang on to this blog and receive all required guidance associated with hairballs. 

What are Hairballs?

You might have seen your cat licking their tail, paws, and every possible part of their body. It is a grooming habit and one of the main reasons behind the hairball. To clarify, it is a clump of undigested fur that your cat has licked off and swallowed while grooming themselves. These compacted pallets of loose hair and other foreign objects collected in your cat’s stomach cannot be digested fully. And as the digestive system cannot break down hair, cats tend to throw them up. Mostly the actions like retching and gagging that precede the actual vomiting of the hairball can be seen.

Reasons for Your Cat to Get Hair Balls

Apart from licking, there are also other reasons for a cat to get hairballs. In case your cat is fluffy, long furs will be more difficult to get out of the body. Some more reasons for cats to get hairballs are:

• Excessive Grooming: Cats are meticulous groomers, they like to keep themselves clean all the time. But over-licking generally leads to swallowing hair, which causes undigested hairballs.
• Shedding: Seasonal shedding during spring and autumn is a prime contributor to hairballs. Therefore, it leads to more undigested furs. 
• Food Allergies: Foods like beef, certain types of fish, chicken, and milk products often trigger allergies in cats. It leads to hair loss, which contributes to hairballs.  
• Underlying Medical Condition: Cats dealing with stress, gastrointestinal issues, parasites, etc. are more prone to licking their fur, which also contributes to hairballs.

Ways to Prevent Hairballs?

It is necessary to take preventive measures to reduce hairballs, especially in furry cats. We need to understand them, as they cannot speak up about their issues. Therefore, deeply focus on the preventive measures to keep your cat healthy. 

• Regular grooming is necessary to get rid of loose fur before it turns into undigested hairballs.
• Keep your cat hydrated, as water can help to push out excessive hair through their digestive system. 
• Consider hairball gels or treats if your cat is prone to hairballs, as these products can push down hairs from your cat’s digestive system.
• Regular or weekly vet checkups can be effective to get rid of any underlying issues causing fur loss and hairballs.

End Note

Hairballs are a matter of concern as they affect a cat’s overall health. Nevertheless, it is also one of those quirky things that come with being a cat parent. In order to manage this issue, consider all the preventive measures discussed above. Also, ensure effective cat supplements to provide nutrition. Remember, with the best effort, you can provide a healthy and hairball-free life to your fluffy cat.