Home remedies for hairball prevention in cats.

Posted by Joash Jakes on September 8th, 2018

 While grooming themselves, cats ingest fur that mostly becomes difficult to dislodge once in the gastrointestinal tract, and that is where hairball problems begin. Some hairball remedies have proven effective in the prevention of hairballs. However, worse cases would need surgical intervention. While some pet loves have had excellent results with the best cat food for hairballs, home remedies still do a miracle if done the right way.

Hairballs not only contains your cat’s fur but also has a large content of fat. To dissolve this fat content and allow smooth passage of the hairball along the intestinal tract, use egg-based lecithin. It is recommended to add a teaspoon of the lecithin to your cat food at least twice a week to dissolve the fat.

Another hairball home remedy is the use of cat grass. The grass not only acts as a natural roughage in your cat’s diet but also contains mild laxative effect that helps eliminate the fur ingested by your pet. However, the cat grass can only be used by cats reared indoors.

Flurry lovers have also found the use of Slippery Elm Bark as a preventive measure for hairballs effective. The herb works by coating the digestive tract of your flurry allowing easier expulsion of the ingested hairballs out of the cat’s body system. Slippery Elm Bark dissolves when mixed with water. Prepare the mixture by adding two capsules of the herb to a tablespoon of boiling water. Once it cools, add the mixture to your cat food, and it is ready for ingestion.

Some food supplements also help get rid or avoid hairballs. For instance, natural pureed vegetables without additives like pumpkin or squash help in passing hairballs. Serve a teaspoon of this vegetable twice a week, and you wouldn’t complain of hairballs anymore.  Also, if your cat is a lover of butter, serve her with a half teaspoon of butter twice a week to help lubricate the digestive system.

Another proven home remedy for hairballs is the use of petroleum-based laxatives approved by FDA, for example, Felaxin, Laxatone, Drs. Foster and Smith Hairball Remedy. The laxatives work by coating the hair in your cat’s stomach and aids its passage out of the gastrointestinal tract. Also, the Vaseline lubricates the colon and stool itself for easy passage out the body system. However, note that when used for a long period of time, the laxatives can interfere with absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K). Consult with your vet on the possibility of providing your flurry with vitamin supplements

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Joash Jakes

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Joash Jakes
Joined: September 8th, 2018
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