How to Make Your Own Hairball Lubricant for Cats
Cats are fastidious and enjoy grooming themselves. This self-grooming helps your cat stay clean, but undigested fur can accumulate in a cat's gastrointestinal tract. Neither stomach acid nor pancreatic enzymes can break down the excess fur. If the surplus hair is not eliminated in the cat's stool, it mats together to form a hairball. Lubricants help prevent hairballs from building up in a cat's system by making them easier to excrete. A variety of commercial hairball remedies are available, but it's easy to make your own hairball lubricant for cats.
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Instructions
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Open a can of wet cat food and spoon it into your cat's food bowl.
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Calculate 1 tsp. of mineral oil for every 5 lbs. of your cat's weight. Measure the proper amount of mineral oil and mix it into the canned cat food.
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3
Stir the ingredients well to fully incorporate.
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Place the food in your cat's normal eating area and encourage the cat to consume the food laced with mineral oil.
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Make fresh, clean water available to your cat at all times. Water is essential to a cat's healthy digestion.
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Tips & Warnings
Add mineral oil to your cat's food once or twice a week as a preventative measure.
White petroleum jelly is a suitable substitution for mineral oil.
Do not attempt to administer mineral oil to your cat directly by mouth, because the cat may inhale the oil.
Do not give your cat more mineral oil than necessary.
Consult a veterinarian if hairball symptoms persist.
References
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