If you’re a cat owner, you know the sound the instant it starts. You’re sitting at the table or on the couch, and suddenly an awful retching sound emanates from somewhere nearby. You’ve heard it before, but that doesn’t make it less unpleasant. Your cat is coughing up a furball.
Should you be worried about your cat’s hairballs? Typically, the answer is no. Coughing up the occasional furball is a normal thing for cats. There are some instances in which you might be concerned. If your cat regurgitates furballs more frequently than in the past, you should talk with your vet about the causes and potential harm it could do.
What Causes Cats to Get Furballs?
As you know, cats like to stay clean. All this grooming, mainly licking their coat, leads them to ingest hair. Normally, a few hairs go down and later come out in the litter box without any issue. When the hair builds up in the stomach without being passed, your cat then needs to cough it up. That can be unpleasant for everyone.
Can You Prevent Hairballs?
There’s no completely effective way to prevent hairballs, but there are some things you can do. The simplest and most effective action you can take is to brush your cat regularly. You can get a lot of the loose fur so it won’t go down your kitty’s throat. Plus, your cat will love a nice grooming session with a soft brush. As an added bonus, this will help reduce knots in your cat’s fur.
Another step you can take is to make sure your cat eats a good diet and stays hydrated. This will help keep your pet healthy, and we all need to hydrate after throwing up.
If you’re concerned about how often your cat coughs up hairballs, schedule a wellness check and talk with your vet. In the meantime, break out that brush and give your cat another reason to love you.