If your cat has hairballs on its coat, should you be concerned? In this article I tell you all about the causes of hairballs on the coat of the cat and especially how to treat this characteristic.
Hairballs on the cat’s coat: The causes
Cats spend many hours of the day grooming themselves, eventually leading to hairballs. However, too many hairballs are not normal. Here are the main causes of hairballs in cats.
The stress
Hairballs are often caused by over grooming and this is mainly due to stress. To give you an idea of whether your cat is stressed, first pay attention to his behavior. He will be on the alert, his eyes dilated and may even drool sometimes.
The causes of stress are often due to the changes, which he will eventually get used to, usually within a month. You can help him get used to it by providing comfort and playtime.
If it is a new animal, start by introducing it gently, without forcing it so that the two animals can begin to tame each other.
If the source of stress is related to noise or agitation, make sure that his personal space is far from it, it is a vital need for him.
A dirty environment
If your cat is kept in a dirty environment, it’s completely normal for them to clean themselves too much and for hairballs to form. Make sure it’s in a cool, healthy place.
For example, if his basket is in a room that is often open and there are a lot of plants and trees, some residue may constantly come into his room with the wind and he will have to get rid of it.
Parasites
Worms , ticks and fleas can get on your cat’s coat and you can recognize them as small, usually white dots . The presence of a parasite must absolutely lead to the veterinarian and then you will have to have your cat dewormed to avoid a recurrence.
Are hairballs dangerous?
They can be because your cat will end up swallowing them and they can in the worst case cling to an organ. Hairballs are also the cause of vomiting, coughing and spitting up as the cat tries to get them out at all costs.
How to remove them?
To remove the hairballs, you will need to be very careful not to hurt your cat. The easiest solution is to scissor the hair, as brushing will make it aggressive and not necessarily very effective.
If that’s not enough, then it’s vital to take him to the groomer. But don’t forget that brushing your cat as a preventive measure will prevent hairballs from appearing.
What if he swallows them?
If your cat has hairballs stuck in his stomach, the first thing is to give him some catnip to help him purge. You can also give him petroleum jelly, valerian or even malt for their lubricating effect. Then, remember to take him to the vet if the hairball is too stuck, do it yourself to hurt him.
Hairballs on the cat’s coat: The final word
Acting on hairballs is done in several stages, first of all in prevention by brushing, then by cutting hairballs and finally by purging with catnip or with food lubricants which I have spoken.