How to Prevent Cat Hairballs

Hairballs occur naturally in most cats. They are a result of a cat's propensity to clean himself with his tongue. Most cat owners are more than a little upset when the beloved pet starts coughing. The gray slime of a hairball ends up on the floor at the cat's feet. Short of teaching your cat not to groom himself, it may seem that hairballs are a fact of life for a cat owner. Yet, there's good news. It doesn't have to be that way.

Things You'll Need

• Olive oil
• Anti-hairball formula food
• Brush
• Vacuum

Instructions

1. Create a grooming routine for your cat, especially in a long-haired cat. The more of her shedding fur you can remove via a brush, the less she will remove in her personal grooming. For cats who dislike brushing, consider the specially-designed gripper gloves. The gloves allow you to remove loose fur from your cat while petting her.

2. Feed your cat a specially formulated food designed to prevent hairballs. It is usually higher in fat than other adult cat food. The food, therefore, offers a better lubricant for the cat's intestinal tract. The cat eliminates the hairball without coughing it back up.

3. Provide your cat with a back scratcher or other device designed to collect loose fur. Many cat toys are designed to encourage your cat's self-grooming. These toys have small nubbins to massage the cat and help with shedding.

4. Add two tablespoons of olive oil to your cat's dry food once a week. The oil will help keep your cat's fur soft and silky, and it will help her pass any hair that she does consume.

5. Keep your cat active. Often, cats will resort to grooming themselves when they are bored or if they have skin irritants. Keep your cat healthy and active to reduce the number of hairballs you have to see.

Tips & Warnings

• Use olive oil mixed with cat food the first time you try this solution. If your cat doesn't like olive oil, any kind of vegetable or fish oil is acceptable.

• Excessive hairballs may be an early indicator of a more serious digestive problem. If your cat is experiencing frequent coughing and hairballs, see your vet.