Beaphar | Hairball Paste for Cats | Promotes Natural Passage of Hairballs | Prebiotic Aids Digestion | Tasty Healthy Malt Treat | 100g Tube

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You can provide the anti-hairball power of egg yolks by feeding your cat fresh egg yolks or by giving him an egg yolk lecithin supplement. A safe and effective dose for lecithin has not been established for cats, and most supplements formulated for people contain much more than is present in hairball products for cats. Cats are very good at keeping themselves clean. They naturally know how to self-groom, and rarely need bathing. However, during the self-grooming process, they can swallow loose hair – and this leads to a cat hairball. Most cats get hairballs from time to time and it’s usually nothing to worry about. But if you are wondering what is causing them, what are the symptoms you should look out for and how to help a cat with hairballs, here is everything you need to know. Once a month normally is not as big of a deal, once a week is a little bit too much," says Harper. "When people tell me that their cat vomits every day or every week, it's a problem." Can hairballs be dangerous? It's important to treat and prevent hairballs so they don't cause a dangerous intestinal obstruction. While small amounts of hair usually pass harmlessly through a cat's digestive tract, too much hair can ball up and become trapped inside the stomach. At that point, the hairball may be "coughed up." While daily brushing reduces the amount of fur your cat swallows when they groom themselves, your vet might also recommend using one of the best hairball remedies for cats. Furballs are a completely natural part of a cat’s grooming ritual. They are a mixture of the loose hairs and digestive juices which have formed in your cat’s stomach.

It might take some trial and error to find out which hairball remedy works best for your cat. Harper says it's possible to overdo it with hairball remedies and recommends trying one remedy at a time. "It could turn into a situation where the cat is not vomiting up hairballs, but it's vomiting up everything else," he says. "One thing at a time would be sufficient to see what works best, otherwise you won't know."Vet's Best Hairball Relief Digestive Aid supplements contain fiber and natural ingredients to support digestion and prevent or eliminate hairballs. Additionally, a small amount of dietary fiber can help keep the digestive system functioning smoothly, correcting hairball problems at their roots. Fiber-Based Hairball Remedies Many cat owners are concerned when a cat has hairballs because it seems like they are choking or struggling. What’s the best way for owners to help a cat throw up a hairball?

These products are not absorbed into the cat's gastrointestinal system and will pass right through, so there is no danger posed to the cat's health," Whittenburg says, emphasizing that all hairball products should be given according to the directions on the label. However, regular grooming is always the first line of defense for avoiding hairballs. Although it’s difficult to watch your cat struggling and gagging, the best thing you can do to help them with hairballs is to give them plenty of space. It’s perfectly normal for your cat to gag several times to be able to vomit the hairball. Most hairs do pass right through the body, but it is understandable that some do get trapped in the digestive system. Once this starts, there can be a build-up. This is a good answer if your cat has regularly struggled to remove furballs, and you need a constant way to monitor this. They are high in fibre, which reduces the likelihood of them settling in the stomach, and also keeps the coat shiny and healthy Treats This happens when their loose hairs are ingested, and they then cough them up again.Usually, they can deal with this themselves as the hairs pass through the body naturally or are regurgitated. But if the problem is particularly serious then they may need a bit of help trying to cough it up.Numerous hairballs in cats can also be a symptom that your cat is over-grooming. Cats tend to over-groom when they are stressed – a bit like us biting our fingernails – and thus will consume more hair, leading to more hairballs. If you think your cat may be stressed, take them to the vet. There are many ways in which a vet may diagnose cat hairballs. This may an x-ray or a physical examination. In extreme cases, surgery may be needed to remove the hairball if it has grown particularly large; this can be expensive in terms of vet bills. Mineral oil had previously been recommended for hairballs, but it carries the risk of aspiration (going down into the lungs) since it doesn’t trigger a cough reflex. Other Hairball Remedies While they can be unavoidable due to your cat’s natural grooming habits, there are ways to combat an excessive amount of loose hair on your cat.

If you’d rather give your cat a treat than a gel or a tablet, these soft treats may be a good choice. It’s normal for a cat to bring up occasional hairballs. You should only start to worry if the cat is vomiting up a hairball every few weeks or consistently for more than 48 hours at a time – it’s a sign too much hair is ending up in the gut. The gel’s first ingredient is cod liver oil, which is both a lubricant and a source of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. These fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and may improve skin and coat health, helping to control the hairball problem at its source. Egg yolks have interesting properties for hairball control. They contain choline and lecithin, which work together to, respectively, encourage GI contractions and emulsify the fat that binds hairballs together.It’s also vital you reduce how much they have to groom. Loose hairs can be removed using a comb or grooming glove, and hairs on their bed can be brushed off soft surfaces. A cat that is vomiting or retching, lethargic, or does not want to eat may have an obstruction from a hairball," Whittenburg says. "Defecating does not rule out a hairball, as feces are stored in the colon and intestinal obstructions occur in the small intestine." What should you do if your cat is throwing up hairballs? Tomlyn Laxatone Hairball Remedy Gel gently lubricates your cat's digestive tract to help existing hairballs pass through and prevent them from forming in the future. Cats often take real pride in their appearance, keeping themselves clean and looking ready and primed for their next outing. But the downside? They can suffer from the odd hairball. Cats often vomit up hairballs — what some people call "coughing up" hairballs — but if hair becomes lodged in the small intestine, it can cause a life-threatening obstruction, which could require surgery.

Many cat owners find it very difficult and distressing to hear their cats gagging and retching, and they start to wonder if there is anything they should be worrying about. This self-grooming is completely normal and cats should be doing it to keep their fur in good condition. The following are sources of fiber that, when integrated into your cat’s diet, may help hair move smoothly through the body. If you determine that your cat’s hairballs are caused by a digestive issue, you may want to consider treating the hairballs the same way you’d treat any chronic digestive problem. Though hairball-specific cat foods usually focus on fiber alone, this isn’t always the right approach.For cats that prefer to eat crunchy kibble, Iams ProActive Health Indoor Weight and Hairball Care dry cat food helps prevent and eliminate hairballs with its added fiber. It's important to make an appointment to see your veterinarian if you suspect your cat is having an issue with hairballs. Harper says that cats that get frequent hairballs may have some kind of underlying skin condition causing them to over-groom themselves, and as a result, develop hairballs. Red rashes or areas with very short hair or no hair at all are all cause for concern and should be shared with your veterinarian, explains Harper.