Pet health tips on avoiding hairballs

Tuesday, 6 April 2010 19:36

Anybody who has ever owned a cat or spent time around felines may notice these furry creatures hacking up a hairball from time to time.

While not dangerous, such grooming snafus can be uncomfortable for moggies - so learn some techniques to help the kitty cope, Sun Meilan suggests in a piece written for Helium.

Should a cat seem to have a hairball problem frequently, it may be a good idea to get it checked out by a pet health care professional to ensure all is well with the moggy's digestive tract.

If it is just an occasional issue, Ms Meilan suggests regular grooming with a special cat brush, especially if the kitty is long-haired.

Rubbing some petroleum jelly on the cat's paw may also help.

"They will lick their paw and the greasy texture will then help any hairballs in the stomach to pass through naturally," Ms Meilan explains.

Cynthia McManis, owner of Just Cats Veterinary Services, recently told the Daily Cat that felines spend up to half their day grooming themselves.

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Posted by Josie