A cat hairball is a clump of dead hair and digestive juices that have accumulated in the stomach of your cat. Hairballs are formed when cats brush themselves and swallow the hairs, which form hairballs in their stomachs. Licking at their hair is how all cats groom themselves. Usually, your cat will vomit the hairball to get rid of it. Because hairballs pass through the narrow esophagus on the way out, they often appear thin and tube-like, rather than round.
Long-haired breeds, such as Persians and Maine Coons, are more likely to develop hairballs. Hairballs are more common in cats that shed excessively or groom themselves obsessively because they swallow a lot of furs. You may have noted that your kitten didn't have hairballs at first, but that they matured as they grew older. This is completely normal; as cats get older, they become better groomers and thus better at removing fur from their coats with their tongues, resulting in more hairballs for you to clean up.
There's no denying it: Hairballs in cats are a pain to deal with. They're not only unpleasant for the person who has to clean them up; they can also cause intestinal blockages in your cat, which can be a serious health issue.
There are three things you can do to help your cat's hairballs.
To begin, groom your cat to minimize shedding. Brushing sessions on a regular basis will prevent your cat from ingesting loose hair as a result of self-grooming. Brushing your cat won't stop her from grooming herself, but it will reduce the amount of hair she ingests. Grooming sessions with you have the added advantage of serving as a bonding activity for you and your pet!
Second, there are items on the market that claim to avoid hairballs by regulating sheddings, such as shampoo and wet wipes. However, as with any product, consult your veterinarian before starting a daily regimen to ensure it's right for your cat.
Third, keep in mind that the foods you eat play a big role in minimizing hairballs. The natural fiber is used in a hairball prevention cat food's balanced diet to help transfer hair through your cat's digestive system naturally while also nourishing your cat's skin and coat to minimize shedding. Or add tuna, sardines, or olive oil to their diet since these serve as good lubricants. And ensure they drink enough water to prevent dehydration.
Misconceptions about hairballs
There are various misconceptions about hairballs. while it may be normal for your cat to have hairballs but one should not totally ignore it. You should also not confuse hairballs and vomit. While your cat might vomit because of the hairball, you must pay attention to it. Consult your vet once in a while about this issue. Cats try to get rid of hairballs through coughing. So, if your cat coughs, she might be trying to eject a hairball. But this might not be the case all the time.