If your pet suffers from hairballs, you can do a lot of things to prevent them. For instance, you can provide your cat with snacks that will help to prevent the formation of hairballs in the first place. Secondly, you can try to treat the hairballs once they form.
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High-fiber kibbles are a good choice
If your cat has hairball problems, high-fiber kibbles are a good choice for your pet. They can improve your cat’s overall health, reduce the frequency of poop, and even help with weight loss. But choosing the right one can be tricky.
Choosing a high fiber cat food should involve a discussion with your veterinarian. It should also contain ingredients that are natural and balanced. A high-fiber diet is not suitable for cats with medical conditions such as diabetes, obesity, or inflammatory bowel diseases.
High-fiber kibbles usually contain ingredients such as rice hulls, pectin, beet pulp, and psyllium. These are insoluble fibers that encourage the flow of your pet’s intestines.
Your veterinarian can also recommend a specialized high-fiber cat food. The Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food, for instance, has natural fibers that support healthy digestion.
Adding edible grasses or plants to a cat’s diet
Adding edible grasses or plants to a cat’s diet can help to provide them with the trace minerals and fiber they require to keep their bodies healthy. Grass also contains folic acid, which has been shown to contribute to the health of your pet’s hemoglobin production.
Besides providing nutrients, grasses are good for digestion and eliminating hairballs. However, cats may not like the taste or texture of these grasses, so make sure to monitor your cat’s activity and feeding habits.
Most cats will only nibble on the tops of these grasses, which is okay. But you should still pull out shoots and remove the blades from your pet’s mouth. If you leave your cat to graze all day, they could end up ingesting harmful intestinal parasites.
Treating hairballs with salmon-flavored paste
There are many ways to treat hairballs. One of the most common methods is using a product that contains lubricating ingredients to aid in the passage of the hair. Hairballs can be a major source of irritation and pain in the feline household. Luckily, there are several products on the market designed to help your cat get their hair out of their system.
For instance, one of the more common techniques is to give your cat a good scrub every day. This will prevent the hair from getting into the stomach and potentially causing an obstruction. If your kitty is on a strict diet, you may want to try giving them a few treats a day. The more fiber they have in their diet, the less likely they will get hairballs.
Treating hairballs with lubricants
Hairballs are not only unpleasant to deal with, but they can be dangerous. They can block the digestive tract and cause severe intestinal bloating and blockage, which can be life-threatening.
There are many treatments for cat hairballs. These include lubricant gels. Lubricants coat the cat’s fur so that it will not clump. You can buy these in tubes or you can make your own.
One of the best lubricant gels is Tomlyn’s Hairball Remedy Gel. This is a non-prescription remedy that combines three gentle lubricants to help eliminate hairballs. The ingredients are soybean oil, corn syrup, and white petrolatum.
Another lubricant is Laxatone. It contains white petrolatum and light mineral oil. Although it is safe for your pet, it should not be given to cats with respiratory conditions.
Preventing hairballs from forming
There are plenty of cat hairball snacks and treats that will help to prevent your furry friend from forming hairballs. These may include supplements that contain ingredients that act as laxatives, or flavored gels that will coat the gastrointestinal tract in order to stop hair from clumping together.
The most effective way to prevent your pet from forming hairballs is to keep it hydrated. Make sure to feed your cat plenty of moisture-rich meals. This will ensure that the hair it swallows will not clump together, and will pass through the gastrointestinal tract easily.
In addition to water, your cat should also get plenty of dietary fiber. Fiber helps to bind single strands of hair with food particles, preventing the formation of hairballs.
To increase the amount of fiber your cat is getting, try adding pumpkin powder or carrots to its diet. Cats can safely ingest raw carrots, but cooked carrots should be avoided.