Your Cat and Her Hairballs

1. Your Cat and Her Hairballs Hairballs are a part of life if you own a cat. But have you ever wondered why they happen in the first place, or whether or not they can hurt your cat? Learn more about hairballs in this article from veterinarians Lakewood Ranch, FL. Why Do Hairballs Form? When your cat grooms herself, barbs lining the tongue pick up loose hair from the coat. Fluffy swallows that hair, and most of it moves through the digestive tract and gets expelled naturally. Some stays in the gut, though, and forms into a hairball. Eventually, your cat regurgitates it. Are They Harmful? No, the occasional hairball is totally harmless, unpleasant as it may seem for your cat. If Fluffy is coughing up hairballs frequently, though, you’ll want to tell your vet—something could be causing her to shed more than usual. And if your cat is vomiting regularly, take her to the vet’s right away. Can I Reduce My Cat’s Hairball Production? Yes—brush your cat regularly to prevent her from swallowing excess hair, and feed a great diet to keep the skin healthy and reduce shedding initially. Need advice on your cat’s grooming routine? Contact your animal hospital Lakewood Ranch, FL today.