What do I do when my cat's coughing up hair balls?

Answer 1

I typed this in on Google because by cat had one and i wanted it to be able ot help him next time he has one. But what I did as it was an emergency was .......As soon as he started coughing i grabed him and ran into the kichen with him and closed the door. and he was having trouble getting it out so like a baby I rubed and patted his back and it came out then and it not a circle shape its more of a sausage shape but a lot smaler and first it may look like sick as they are being sick as this happens. But I will recomend having food and treats to help this. But after he/she has had a hair ball give them lots of attention.

Answer 2

If your cat has a hairball but she/he cannot get it out, put some hairball remedy cream on its paw when it licks it it should be able to get the hairball out. If after a few weeks it still can't, take your cat to the vet. It could be serious. Cats have died from hairballs. I am serious. usually the cream heals it right up though. get some from petsmart or petco.

Prevent hairballs by combing your cat twice a day.

Answer 3

Understand they get hairballs from their grooming routine, so... keeping that in mind, daily brushing will help to reduce the loose hair, also natural hairball treatment as well as keeping cat grass around their areas (the later two help aid in the digestion of the hair)

Answer 4

To prevent hairballs, you need to understand why they're occurring in the first place.

Here's the deal: Cats clean themselves with their tongues, which have backwards-facing hooks called filiform papillae. Those hooks pick up hair, along with dirt, oil, and anything else on the cat's body. Hair is indigestible, and it usually passes harmlessly through your cat's digestive system, but occasionally, it settles in the stomach and forms a mass. That causes indigestion, and the cat vomits up the hair (along with the rest of the contents of their stomach). Your pet's narrow esophagus might form the hair into a little sphere, but hairballs can come in just about any size and shape.

Some cats are more likely to contract hairballs than others. Long-haired breeds have more hair--we know, that's somewhat obvious--and ingest more of it. If you've got a Persian or another longhair, you might not be able to get rid of hairballs entirely. However, you can decrease the number and severity of the hairballs by taking a few simple steps.

First, groom your cat regularly. That will ensure that less hair comes off during bathtime, and your kitty will probably appreciate the extra attention. Use a high-quality brush designed for pets, and try to set up a regular grooming schedule.

Next, make dietary adjustments. Invest in a high-quality cat food that's high in dietary fiber, which will help hair pass through your feline's digestive tract. Sure, the good stuff can be somewhat expensive, but it's certainly cheaper than replacing your upholstery. You can also try growing catnip or cat grass, which can provide your kitty with another source of fiber.

Finally, make sure your cat stays hydrated. This is particularly important for indoor cats; they might stay away from their water bowl if it's dirty or if they simply don't like the taste. Some cats prefer running water to still water, so an inexpensive fountain can be a worthwhile purchase. You should also feed your cat wet food regularly, which provides an additional source of hydration.

If you've made all of those adjustments and your cat's still coughing up hairballs regularly, talk to your veterinarian. While hairballs are usually a normal (albeit disgusting) part of cat ownership, they're certainly not comfortable for your feline friend, and your vet might be able to prescribe special food to limit the problem.

Most importantly, you'll want to call your vet right away if the hairballs are accompanied by other symptoms such as retching, diarrhea, or a swollen abdomen, as these can be serious signs of impactions and other conditions.

Answer 5

Hair balls can be dangerous and cause choking or a bowel obstruction. Give a commercially prepared cat laxative meant to dissolve the hairball .If no results , take kitty to the vet

Answer 6

Give it lots of grass and buy some stuff at the pet store that will help.

Answer 7

Nothing. It's actually good for them because when they lick their fur they swallow that and then later on they will have to throw it up.