National Hairball Awareness Day
National Hairball Awareness Day falls on April 29th. Never heard of it? Wondering why we even need a day dedicated to hairballs? In this post, we’ll explain all…
Why have a National Hairball Awareness Day?
National Hairball Awareness Day was launched back in 2006 by the National Museum of Health & Medicine in the USA. For cats and their owners, hairballs are pretty common – a natural result of a cat grooming itself and not usually a cause for concern. But sometimes, if not passed properly, hairballs can cause internal blockages. These blockages can lead to serious and, at times, life-threatening medical issues. National Hairball Awareness Day aims to spread the word about the dangers.
According to a 2020 study by PDSA, the domestic feline population is estimated to be around 10.9 million. That’s a LOT of hairballs.
Tips for preventing hairballs
Unfortunately, there are no guarantees that your cat won’t ever develop a hairball, but there are a number of things you can do to reduce their quantity.
• Regular grooming is essential for a healthy coat that sheds little. By grooming your cat on a weekly basis you are helping to remove the loose hairs your cat would otherwise be ingesting. You are also stimulating the coat to produce its natural oils and promoting better blood flow. Additionally, grooming helps strengthen the bond between cat and owner and allows you to feel for changes (i.e. weight gain/loss) while your cat is stationary and relaxed. Longhaired cats are particularly prone to hairballs so daily grooming is required.
• Lubricants can work wonders at helping a hairball to pass through the system. If a particularly large hairball accumulates in the gastrointestinal tract and prevents eating and causes pain and constipation, it is sometimes necessary for your cat to have surgery. However, don’t panic – the surgical removal of hairballs is uncommon as most hair masses pass out eventually. Adding a lubricant to your cat’s food can help with the digestive process and passing the hair out quicker. Nowadays most cat lubricants are flavoured for enhanced palatability so your cat should have no qualms enjoying it.
• Diet is also worth considering when it comes to preventing hairballs. There are many tailored foods on the market these days which help to break up hairballs so they can be eliminated more easily. Many also contain natural oil lubricants and blended vitamins to support the health of the coat, as a healthy coat is known to shed less. Dietary supplements can also be beneficial at preventing hairballs and promoting the all-round health of the gastrointestinal tract.
When to seek medical advice
If your feline is experiencing any of the below, it’s time to call the vet…
- Repeated retching that’s not bringing anything up
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Appetite loss
- Fatigue
If you have any concerns, please call our team on (01983) 214747 and we can book an appointment for your feline friend