Hairball and cat health
THERE are a few things you can do to help prevent hairballs.
1. Brush daily. A nice soft brush that goes over the back, across the chest and down the flanks, can remove a lot of loose hair. If your pet isn’t ticklish, finish with a belly brush.
2. Pat them often. Not all cats like to be brushed but you can still get rid of a lot of loose fur by stroking. Slightly damp fingers work well to create easy-to-dump fur clumps.
3. Keep your pet hydrated. Cats are sometimes not huge water drinkers, and dehydration affects digestion. Invest in a water fountain or have several attractive bowls that are “kitty” drinking glasses around the house. Water must be fresh!
4. Pile of wet food. The jelly in wet food helps keep your pet hydrated. So paw it over and watch them enjoy their best treat food.
If you see these symptoms, you should consult your vet:
> A distended tummy. This can be all kinds of things, but as obstructions can kill, go and get it checked, pronto.
> Trouble in the litterbox. Any signs of constipation signal there may be a big hairball problem that requires medical attention.
> Lethargy. If your pet is an outdoor cat and you don’t see the litterbox, another sign of trouble is low or no energy.
> A cough that just won’t go away. It could be anything from a bit of grass gone the wrong way to asthma or lung cancer. So go get it checked out to be safe.
> Sudden bad temper. Acatin pain will act out. Take it as a sign something is wrong.