Dealing with hairballs is a standard a part of cat parenthood, however your cat shouldn’t wrestle with them on a regular basis. These 10 holistic options will show you how to handle your cat’s hairballs naturally.
Most cats get hairballs sometimes due to their fastidious grooming habits. However, in case your cat is liable to hairballs, it might be associated to a well being concern, allergic reactions, gut health or digestive problems, and even their weight loss program. While it’s vital to speak to your veterinarian for those who suspect an issue, listed below are 10 holistic options that’ll show you how to tame the hairball menace.
1. Feed a Proper Diet
Choose a high-quality, species-appropriate weight loss program. Cats want high-protein diets wealthy in nutritional vitamins, minerals, fat, fatty acids, and amino acids.
2. Try Supplements
Certain dietary supplements may also assist stop hairballs, akin to omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that help pores and skin and coat well being. You may additionally think about prebiotics that help intestine well being and digestion. Adding coconut oil to your cat’s weight loss program may assist. Always test along with your veterinarian earlier than introducing new dietary supplements.
3. Keep Them Hydrated
Make positive your cat stays well-hydrated by offering entry to recent water. Hydration helps preserve the moisture content material within the digestive system, facilitating the passage of hair by way of the digestive tract.
4. Address Allergies
A standard purpose for normal hairballs is overgrooming, and allergic reactions may cause this. Talk to your vet for those who suppose your cat is perhaps reacting to an allergy set off.
5. Try Pumpkin
Pumpkin is an effective supply of fiber and may help in digestion, selling good intestine well being and doubtlessly serving to to scale back hairballs.
6. Groom Regularly
Although there could also be different components at play, cats finally get hairballs as a result of they ingest hair once they groom themselves. Brush your cat usually to take away free and lifeless hair and decrease how a lot fur your cat ingests. This is particularly vital for kitties with lengthy hair.
7. Try Herbal Remedies
Catnip incorporates fiber, which will help with digestion and intestine well being. What’s extra, it may additionally encourage your cat to play. The additional exercise promotes general well being, stimulates the digestive system, reduces boredom, and minimizes stress, all of which can stop over-grooming.
8. Use Mental and Physical Enrichment
Provide loads of toys and playtime to maintain your cat lively. Offer scratching posts to advertise pure scratching habits and assist take away free hair.
9. Increase Humidity Levels
Increasing the humidity in your house will help stop dry pores and skin and scale back shedding. Consider including a humidifier to your own home, particularly in dry climates or through the winter months.
10. Go for Regular Veterinary Visits
Annual veterinary check-ups will guarantee your cat’s general well being, together with considerations about hairballs. Your vet can information you about weight loss program, grooming routines, dietary supplements, allergic reactions, and any considerations you’ve got. Always seek the advice of along with your veterinarian earlier than making modifications to your cat’s weight loss program or way of life.
Animal Wellness is North America’s high pure well being and way of life journal for canine and cats, with a readership of over a million yearly. AW options articles by a few of the most famed specialists within the pet business, with matters starting from weight loss program and well being associated points, to articles on coaching, health and emotional properly being.