The problem of hairballs or fur balls occurs because your cat licks its own fur and swallows some of the loose hairs in the process. These consumed hairs become like a ball and obstruct the cats intestines and create problems.
The presence of such foreign hair might cause constipation or also make the cat vomit in an attempt to throw out the hair. You might find your cat trying to cough up something as though something is stuck in its throat. The problem especially occurs in the case of cats with long hair as there is a greater chance of loose hairs which can be swallowed.
Hairballs are a very common problem as cats, by nature, spend a lot of time in grooming themselves by licking their own fur. So it is a natural conclusion that they will swallow some loose furs in the process. You can take certain basic precautions to prevent this problem from brushing your cats hair frequently. First of all, you must regularly brush its fur and remove all loose hairs so that they are not available for swallowing. This kind of brushing your cats coat has multiple benefits. Not only is it good for your pet, it also develops a bond between the two of you as cats thoroughly enjoy such attention and care.
If you find that your cat has too much loose hair which cannot be removed even by brushing then you must watch its diet. By changing your pets diet, you can prevent the formation of too many loose hairs. For this, you should include enough fiber in its food. There are some good quality packet cat foods available in the market which are specifically made for cats that lose lot of fur from their coats. It is advisable to ask the vet regarding a suitable diet for your pet.
If you find your pet trying to frequently vomit hairballs, then you can give it some laxative which will help it to smoothly pass out the hair ball with its stool. Many such laxatives are available in the market which have a pleasing taste for cats with such problems. These can be applied to the cats paws so that your pet can lick it up. You can also give your cat some pet treats which are mineral oil based and these can help to break down the hairballs so that these can be easily passed out with the cats stool.
Swallowing loose hair may cause your pet cat to vomit occasionally but if you find your cat vomiting frequently, you should urgently consult your vet because it might indicate some other serious problem. If your cat vomits because of hairballs, then the problem should be brought under control by taking simple preventive measures like brushing its fur or administering a laxative. But if your pet is suffering from some other problem, then these measures will not work. It is best to show your pet to a vet immediately so that he can determine whether the cat is vomiting because of swallowing hair or some other reason.
All cat lovers must understand that hairballs are a common problem in cats which can be handled appropriately by adopting some simple measures.