NOT ANOTHER HAIRBALL!
How to Reduce Their Frequency If you live with a cat, you likely know that hacking sound all too well — Mittens is about to cough up another hairball. Though cats generally recover
hairball will enter the intestines and become stuck. Once this happens, your cat needs immediate medical attention and possibly surgery. Signs to watch out for are lethargy, lack of appetite, repeated gagging or retching without producing a hairball, and constipation or diarrhea.
quickly afterward, it doesn’t appear to be a pleasant experience for them. It’s also not very fun for the humans left to clean up the mess. As gross as they may be, hairballs are normal. As you’ve likely noticed, cats like to keep themselves very clean. Unfortunately, they also tend to shed quite a bit, so they swallow a lot of loose fur. Cats digest most of the hair they swallow, but some can accumulate in the stomach. Once it forms into a clump, it can't pass through the intestines, so it has to come out the opposite way. Many cats will cough up a hairball once every week or two without any problem.
Most of the time, though, hairballs are mainly inconvenient. While you’ll probably never eliminate them, you can take action at home to reduce their frequency. The biggest tool in your anti-hairball arsenal is regularly brushing your cat. The more fur you get off of them with a brush, the less is left over for them to swallow. If you’re new to brushing, be patient, choose calm moments, and give your cat time to get used to the process. Grooming is healthy for cats, but it can become excessive. If your cat seems to be grooming a bit too much, it could be because of boredom. Make sure they get plenty of other stimulation through toys and playtime. (Meanwhile, if your cat is grooming to the point of skin irritation or bald patches, a vet visit is in order.) If your cat’s hairballs are still excessive even after employing these tricks, your cat may need a special cat food, diet supplement, or hairball product. The team here at Surface Creek Vet will be glad to make recommendations based on your feline friend’s unique needs.
However, hairballs can come with complications — and not only for your carpet. Sometimes, a
Maura Quinn-Von Mosch Ashley Lieber Clients Spreading the Word Thanks so much to these clients who referred new patients to us last month:
No-Bake Valentine’s Yogurt Dog Treats Inspired by Rover.com
Benjamin Capron Theresa McIntyre Dan Hinchman Kenzie Bosher Don & Marsha Grant
INGREDIENTS
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1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes, shredded
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1 1/2 cups oat flour (or pulverize rolled oats in the food processor)
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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1 cup coconut flour
2 tbsp dried pomegranate seeds
1 cup plain, nonfat yogurt
1 tbsp coconut oil
1/3 cup strawberries
DIRECTIONS
3. Roll the mixture into balls, squeezing tightly as you go. The size will depend on what you think your dog would prefer. 4. Chill in the refrigerator before serving.
1. In a food processor, combine all the ingredients. 2. Pulse until they have reached a desired consistency.
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