Home Remedies For Hairballs In Cats

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  • Hairballs are clumps of hair that have been swallowed when a cat grooms.

    Usually, the hair will pass through the cat’s digestive system and out of the body via the feces, however, if your cat swallows enough hair, it can build up in the stomach. Eventually, this causes irritation to the stomach, causing the cat to vomit the hairball back up. Quite often, all you will see is a long, wet tube of vomited fur on the floor.

    Long-haired cats are more prone to developing hairballs, and they also may occur during times of heavy shedding as the weather warms up.

    The goal of relieving hairballs is to assist the passage of the hairball via the use of lubricants.

    Treating hairballs

      • Add a teaspoon of canned or boiled pumpkin to your cat’s food once or twice a week. This adds fibre to the diet and assists with the passage of feces.
      • Once a week, smear 1/2-1 teaspoon petroleum jelly onto your cat’s paw, this acts as a lubricant, helping the feces pass more easily.
      • Alternatively, add a teaspoon of butter or olive oil to your cat’s food once or twice a week.
    • 1/4 teaspoon of Metamucil can be added to your cat’s food daily to help the hairball to pass out of your cat more easily.
    • Cats with ongoing problems with hairballs may benefit from a hairball-controlled diet or treats.
    • Groom your cat daily to remove loose hairs.

    Never attempt to force oil (olive oil, mineral oil) into your cat’s mouth as this can easily end up in the lungs and cause aspiration pneumonia. It is much safer to add oils to your cat’s food, and if this doesn’t work, try another method listed above.

    When to see a veterinarian

    Hairballs are usually more of an annoyance than anything else, but if they do not pass out of the stomach, they can cause a blockage.

    Watch out for:

    If you notice any of the above symptoms, seek veterinary attention immediately. An intestinal blockage is a medical emergency.

    Author

    • Julia Wilson, 'Cat World' Founder

      Julia Wilson is the founder of Cat-World, and has researched and written over 1,000 articles about cats. She is a cat expert with over 20 years of experience writing about a wide range of cat topics, with a special interest in cat health, welfare and preventative care. Julia lives in Sydney with her family, four cats and two dogs. Full author bio