TREATMENT & PREVENTION OF HAIRBALL IN CAT

Categories of hairball treatments include : 

• Adding fibre to the diet
• Giving a lubricant ( usually a petroleum jelly product ) to slide the hair through to the correct end of the cat for disposal.
• Homeopathy

For many years, the treatment of choice for hairballs has been petroleum jelly. This can be given plain, as in good old Vaseline, or in a commercial product, such as Laxatone, Petromalt, or Katalax. These come in malt, tuna, and liver flavors that appeal to many cats. Petroleum jelly's molecules are too large to be absorbed by the intestines, it passes through the cat unchanged and is perfectly safe.

Hairball "treats" contain mineral oil rather than petroleum jelly. It works on the same principle, but has a slightly more laxative effect, don't overdo them.

Edible oils, like olive, flaxseed, or fish oil, will be absorbed by the intestines and thus may not finish their escort duty, although a cat with dull or dry fur would benefit from the fatty acids they contain.

If cat is not a petroleum jelly connoisseur, the traditional method of administering it is to smear a glob of it on a front paw. But be careful, a chunk of goop on a paw is liable to be flipped off in one quick and very efficient motion. Other method is better to spread it on the leg below the elbow, or any place it's easy for cat to lick off. Owner can also put a dab into a syringe and force-feed it to cat.

Prevention of hairballs in cats is worth a pound of cure. Frequent combing is often all it takes to resolve the problem. But brushing won't do. Brushes tend to slide over the surface of the fur and don't get all the dead hair out.

For shorthaired cats, a fine-toothed flea comb is best. Longer hair may require a wide-toothed comb, or one with revolving teeth to prevent tearing out the hair.

Many hairball-plagued cats will try to self-medicate by eating grass or plants. The coarse plant fibers will cause the cat to vomit, and hopefully, the irritating hair will come up as well. Not all grass-loving cats have hairballs, however. Owner need to carefully observe cat so owner can accurately report the situation to veterinarian.

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