Most cat owners know the sheer joy of finding a big, nasty hairball in the middle of their living room floor. As unpleasant as that discovery is for you, it is even more unpleasant for your pet. Some cats develop serious problems related to hairballs, and by the time symptoms appear, it has already gone too far.

When your cat grooms herself, the hairs that are swallowed are difficult to digest. This can result in the formation of hairballs in the stomach. While complications from hairballs are not very common, hairballs do have the potential to cause a blockage in the digestive tract which is very serious.

Here are some symptoms that could signify a hairball related complication:

• No interest in eating
• Lethargy
• Constipation or visible hair in the stool

Talk to your vet right away if you notice any of the above symptoms.

The good news for cat owners is that there are steps that you can take to help and prevent hairballs.

Prevention of Hairballs

Brushing
This is the best way to help prevent your cat from developing hairballs. Remember that hairballs are formed by hairs that are swallowed while your cat is grooming herself. By brushing her thoroughly each day, you can help to eliminate much of the loose hair.

Brushing is an important preventive measure for all cats, but it is even more important if your cat has long hair. It is easier for long-haired cats to develop hairballs, so it is vital to brush them every day.

Most cats love the feeling of being brushed. If your cat does not, you may want to try a different type of brush. There are brushes available in a variety of materials, such as metal, plastic and rubber. Experiment with different brushes until you find one that your cat seems to like.

Another problem could be that you are brushing too hard. Be as gentle as possible. If your cat has knots in her fur, you may need to take her to a groomer. The only solution to matted fur may be to have your cat shaved. Once the matted fur has been removed, you can then begin to brush your cat each day to prevent that from happening again and to aid in the prevention of hairballs.

You may also consider sending your cat to a groomer on a regular basis. This will help to keep your cats coat in top shape which will help prevent hairballs.

Special Foods
Some pet owners feed their cat special food that was developed to prevent hairballs. While many have found a measure of success with these foods, others say the special food made no difference.

If you want to try a hairball prevention formula food, be sure that you choose a high quality one. Learn the meaning behind cat food labels, so that you’ll know exactly what you are feeding your cat. Your vet is likely to be able to offer recommendations about which foods may be best for trying to prevent hairballs.

Treatment
In addition to preventive measures, there are also some home remedies for treating hairballs.

Butter
Some pet owners have found that feeding your cat a small amount of butter (less than a teaspoon) a few times a week will help. The thought is that the butter provides extra lubrication and helps aid the digestion of the hair.

Pumpkin
Natural canned pumpkin (must be real pumpkin, not flavored pie filling) has been found to be helpful by some pet owners. Like the butter, the pumpkin may provide some extra lubrication along with the added benefit of additional fiber.

Mineral Oil
One of the main ingredients in most commercial hairball treatments is mineral oil. Some pet owners have cut out the middle man and just give mineral oil to their cats. Only give your cat mineral oil in small quantities as larger amounts can deplete the body of vitamin A.

Over-the-Counter Remedies
In addition to true home remedies, many over-the-counter remedies are available as well. These can either be applied directly to the coat or given orally. If other home remedies do not work at cutting down on hairballs, you may consider trying these over-the-counter solutions before making a trip to the vet.

If none of these solutions or preventive treatments work, then your vet may be able to provide additional solutions. Remember that hairballs are not necessarily cause for alarm but, because of the potential for complications, if they can be treated, it’s a good idea to do so.

As a smart pet owner, you should always check with your vet before offering your cat any type of supplement or making changes to her diet. Also, if your cat is displaying any of the symptoms listed above, do not offer the home remedies. Instead, get her to a vet as soon as possible.

Hairballs, while unpleasant, are not usually harmful to your pet. Still, good pet owners will want to do all they can to prevent and treat them so that their pet can be as happy and healthy as possible.