Ah, the joys of cat ownership – the purring, the playful antics, and… the cat hairball puke. If you’ve ever had the ‘pleasure’ of stepping into a surprise hairball, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s the less glamorous side of feline companionship, one that had me and my bottle of wipes, stain remover, and garbage bags on a first-name basis. But not anymore! Now I am going to share how I transformed my cat Bella’s hairball episodes from carpet cat-puking catastrophes to a thing of the past.
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What exactly is A Cat Hairball?
I am not a vet but this is pretty much what I have learned quickly! Basically, a cat hairball, scientifically known as a “trichobezoar” (fancy, right?), is essentially a clump of fur that’s been ingested by a cat during grooming.
Cats are fastidious groomers, constantly licking their fur to keep themselves clean (hello, Bella my cat). Their tongues have these tiny, hook-like structures that work like a natural comb, snagging loose and dead hair. Now, while most of this hair passes harmlessly through their digestive tract, some of it remains in the stomach, forming a hairball.
Picture this: It’s like when you clean a hairbrush, all those tangled strands coming together, except this is happening inside your cat’s tummy.
Over time, this tangled mass gets too big to stay put and needs to come out. And how does it make its grand exit? Well, by the path it came in, but with a bit more drama. Cue the hacking and gagging, and eventually, the hairball lands on your carpet, much to your dismay. (which is why I am writing about cat hairball puke and cat hairball prevention)
While a hairball every now and then is normal, frequent hairballs can be a sign that your kitty’s grooming a bit too much, possibly due to stress, skin issues, or allergies. Also, long-haired breeds, like Persians or Maine Coons, are more likely to develop hairballs due to their luxurious locks (but Bella does not have long hair).
In a nutshell, hairballs are a not-so-glamorous but completely natural part of a cat’s life. Regular grooming can help reduce their frequency, and there are also special diets and treats designed to help prevent hairballs. But always remember, if your feline friend is hacking up hairballs like it’s their day job, a vet visit might be in order to rule out any underlying issues. There’s your cat hairball 101 – not the most pleasant of topics, but certainly a part of the quirky charm of living with these furry little creatures!
Here Is The Video About Cat Hairball Puke
Cat Hairball Puke Is So…Gross
First, let’s set the scene: Bella, a feline queen in her own right, loves grooming. Doorbell rings? Groom. Petting session? Groom. A sunny spot on the floor? That’s a prime grooming spot. It’s like her world revolves around her tongue and fur. Adorable, yes, but it led to an endless cycle of hairball hurling.
Wondering if I had missed sickness cues, I did take Bella to see the vet. The vet suggested everything I had already tried and then some, except, he never took into consideration that trying to force a cat to do things was not a good thing to do.
Therefore, feeling like I had the confirmation it was hairballs and I needed to rid the hair as she groomed it and put it in her belly, I had to dig deep.
While hairballs can be normal (in our case they were from her grooming moments) cat hairballs can be dangerous! Wanting to break down the hair she was licking and digesting but not moving out, I really had to ask the doctor a lot of questions (sometimes I think that the vet is far too anxious to just boot us out of the office instead of answering questions).
What Methods of Cat Hairball Puke Remedies Did I Try?
Again, After confirming with the vet that Bella wasn’t ill, just an overzealous groomer, we ventured down the rabbit hole of hairball remedies.
The paw gel? Bella treated it like sticky lava, leaving gooey paw prints everywhere. Pumpkin? She turned up her nose. Those giant, stinky hairball treats? A hard pass from Her Highness.
Cats do have their own attitudes and while she was puking hairballs I was not forcing her to lick what she did not want to and then retreat with attitude for days so this cat MOMMA chose to find a different way!
My homework for the next few days was reading and more reading and seeing what I could do so that I might be able to finesse Bella into eating instead of forcing placement of it on her paws.
Remedy To Help The Cat Hairball Puke STOP
It was time for a DIY intervention. Enter the game-changer: digestive aid pills for cats. They did not require a prescription, and I did call the vet and ask if they were ok, and he ‘ok’d them for use! (Learn more about this supplement here)
These little wonders, when crushed and mixed with Bella’s wet food, work like magic. These were the cat hairball puke eliminator I had been seeking and all I had to do was a little bit of work to get her to digest the solution!
How I Used The Cat Hairball Puke Supplements To Go From Puke To Poo
- Prep her wet food with a little bit of water
- Crush the digestive aid supplement with a mortar and pestle (bought one dedicated to Bella’s supplements)
- Mix the powder-like substance with her cat food and boom — cat turds in the litter box instead of Puke on my floor.
They contain the secret ingredient (let’s call it the hairball highway patrol) that helps escort those pesky furballs right through her system and into the litter box – where they belong. Goodbye, hairball puke; hello, regular kitty litter duty!
This isn’t just a stroke of luck. Since incorporating this trick into Bella’s routine, I’ve seen a 95% reduction in hairball puke incidents. Sure, she still has her moments (overeating is another chapter in our cat saga), but those hairball pukes have pretty much turned into a myth in our household.
Now these supplements don’t alleviate puking from overeating like cats tend to do but this supplement has truly helped us with Bella’s hairball issue.
I also have begun using a pet de-shedding brush on her at least once a week during seasonal changes to eliminate as much hair as I can, to help her not lick it into her mouth, etc. Bella absolutely loves this pampering and purrs a lot while I am doing it!
Cat Hairball Tips For Cat Hairball Prevention And To Stop Cat Hairball Puke
- Regular Grooming: Brush your cat often, especially if they have long hair, to reduce the amount they ingest during self-grooming and this might alleviate cat hairball puke.
- Specialized Cat Foods: Opt for cat food formulated to reduce hairballs. These often contain fiber to help hair pass through the digestive system.
- Hydration is Key: Encourage your cat to drink more water. A hydrated cat is a happy cat, and it helps prevent hair clumps. Add water to their wet food too.
- Regular Exercise: Keep your cat active. Exercise improves digestion and can help reduce hairball formation.
- Frequent Litter Box Cleaning: A clean litter box encourages regular use, which helps monitor your cat’s health and signs of hairballs.
- Avoid Over-grooming: Watch for excessive grooming, a possible sign of stress or health issues. (go to the vet)
- Regular Vet Check-Ups: Regular check-ups can help catch any issues contributing to excessive hairballs.
- Create a Stress-Free Environment: A calm environment can reduce stress-induced over-grooming.
- DIY Hairball Remedies: Some suggest canned pumpkin (not the pie filling) as a natural fiber source. Always check with your vet first or even Vaseline.
- Hairball-Preventive Products: If your cat isn’t too picky (or too smart for their own good), try hairball prevention gels or pastes. If your cat will allow them on their paws or food, that is!
- Check for Parasites: Regular deworming and flea control can prevent parasites, which can cause excessive grooming.
For All Cat Parents That Are Dealing With Cat Hairball Puke…
If you’re at your wit’s end with feline hairball hurling, check out these digestive aid pills (here’s where to buy the Cat Hairball Relief Pills). Remember, always consult with your vet first. Each cat is a unique furball of habits and health, so it’s crucial to ensure this solution is right for your whiskered companion.
Dealing with hairball puke is a rite of passage for every cat owner, but it doesn’t have to be your daily reality. With a little ingenuity and the right product, you too can transform those unwanted hairball episodes from a carpet crisis to a litter box victory. Here’s to happy, healthy cats and clean carpets! ~DANA XO
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