WHY HAIRBALLS? WHAT YOU CAN DO.
At some point, most cat owners will step into a pile of something that looks and feels like anything but hair and wonder, “Does my cat do this on purpose?” The answer is no. In fact, hairballs are the No. 1 condition reported by 35 percent of cat-owning households.* Is your household one of them? Here are some insights:
- Hairballs are a common feline condition brought on by self-grooming and the resulting ingestion of hair
- Ingested hair can easily accumulate in your cat’s throat or stomach
- The right nutrition can help make a difference
Common irritations. In most cases, hairballs are normal but unpleasant. Hair accumulates in the cat’s throat or stomach and at some point causes enough irritation to trigger vomiting — a quick fix to the problem.
More serious hairballs. In a few cases, hairballs can create a real problem in a cat’s digestive system. Hair that passes beyond the stomach can accumulate and harden in the intestines. Ultimately, the hairball can block the intestinal track, preventing the cat from regurgitating the hair or passing it in feces. In severe cases, these hairballs must be surgically removed.
Warning signs. If you suspect your cat has a serious problem with hairballs, please talk to your veterinarian. Here are some signs to watch for:
- Excessive gagging, hacking and vomiting
- Constipation or extraordinary amount of hair in stools
- Loss of appetite and/or energy
The right nutrition can assist in moving hair through your cat’s system to help manage the formation of hairballs. Certain nutrients in the right amounts can also nourish your cat’s skin and coat to reduce unnecessary shedding. Ask your veterinarian how Hill’s® Science Diet® Hairball Control cat food can help avoid hairballs in just 30 days.
*Hill’s Pet Experience Study G02-135.
SOURCE: ©2011 Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc.
More Indoor Cat Articles
- Your Cat’s First Month at Home
- House-soiling: Trouble Beyond the Litter Box
- Playing with Your Cats
- Keeping Your Cat Happy at Home Alone
- Getting Your Cat to Drink Properly from a Bowl
- Managing Allergies to Cats
- Why Hairballs? What Can You Do?
- Grooming Your Cats
- Start Scratching Right
- Introducing a New Cat to Your Household
- The Right Food for Your Kitten
- Creating a Cat-Safe Household
- Cats and Children
- Understanding Your Cat’s Meow
- Right Ingredients: Cornerstone of Good Nutrition
Hills's® Science Diet® Indoor Cat Foods.
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Science Diet® Indoor Cat Mature Adult Dry
Precisely balanced nutrition specifically formulated for mature adult cats with an indoor lifestyle
Science Diet® Indoor Cat Adult Dry
Precisely balanced nutrition specifically formulated for adult cats with an indoor lifestyle.
Science Diet® Indoor Kitten Dry
Rich in fish oil and nourishing fatty acids. Precisely balanced nutrition to build immunity and digestive health.
Science Diet® Indoor Cat Adult Seafood Entrée
Precisely balanced nutrition for indoor cats with the delicious taste of savory minced seafood
Science Diet® Indoor Cat Adult Chicken Entrée
Rich in fish oil and nourishing fatty acids. Precisely balanced nutrition to build immunity and digestive health.
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