Cat Hairballs
Cat hairballs are hair that was not digested, accumulated and coughed out. Cats will either pass hair through their digestive system or the hair will build up in their bodies causing the retching and heaving required to get rid of it. Cat hairballs are masses of fur that form in your cat’s stomach. They are one of the most common health problems of cats.
Cat hairballs are a normal phenomenon in feline and there are many ways to manage them. The three most common remedies to help decrease the frequency or size of hairballs are hairball lubricants, fiber supplements, and improved grooming. There are some dry commercial cat foods specially formulated for hairball remedy. The best way, of course, is prevention.
According to some vets who operates a large cat practice, the biggest problems with intestinal lubricants are not using enough each time or not using it frequently enough. In almost all cases, the most effective dose is a two-inch strip from the tube of lubricant twice daily for two days.
With regard to diet, usually, a higher fiber diet can assist in the passage of hair through the digestive tract. Additionally, some pet food companies manufacture food for cats with recurrent cat hair ball problems. Ask your veterinarian about these. Be aware that most cat hairball diets on the market have 2-10 times the normal amount of fiber, which is potentially irritating to the tender lining of the gastrointestinal tract. If you try one of these foods, make the switch gradually, and be sure to watch closely for too-loose or too-dry stools; either may result.
Brushing your cat and helping with its grooming lowers the chance of it swallowing a lot of hair and will help keep its fur shiny, smooth, and free of tangles. The act of licking themselves helps to untangle and remove loose hair. Their tongues are specifically made for the task. Long-haired cats especially need more protection from hairballs.
Cats shed heavily in a change of season especially from winter to spring and summer. Shedding can also be caused by a lack of adequate diet and care. Most cats adore being gently brushed, so keep a cat brush next to each of your favorite chairs. When kitty jumps in your lap, the brush will be handy.
Cat hairballs can only be predicted once a cat starts retching and vomiting. We can only hope that the cat gets that blockage out without trouble. Hairballs are a common problem with cats simply because it is part of their nature to keep themselves clean. In fact there are very few animals that are so meticulous about keeping themselves clean as a cat. Cat Hairballs are made up of all of the tiny hairs that the cat swallows while grooming.
As already stated, although vomiting may be a sign of hairballs, it may also be a sign of other problems, particularly if your cat doesn’t bring up hairballs or if it vomits more than about once a week. A visit to the veterinarian may be in order. Longhaired breeds especially need special attention. During the spring when all cats shed, daily brushing is most important.
If vomiting fails to expel a hairball, this hair can get lodged in the stomach or intestine where larger clumps of hair can build up. It can compact with undigested food in the stomach and gastrointestinal tract. Impactions are serious business, and sometimes must be removed surgically. At the very least, it could compact and cause constipation. Cat hairballs are considered the leading cause of constipation in cats.
Cat Health Problems And Simple Things You Should Know.
If you are new to owning a cat, you may be surprised to find that health problems are a common thing. No matter what breed of cat you own, health problems are to be expected. Some may be hereditary, while others can easily be prevented.
Worms
No matter what breed of cat it may be, worms are a very common and recurring problem. Tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms are among the most common that infect cats.
Cats who have problems gaining weight, problems with fleas, or if you find white specks in his stool, you should have your vet test him for worms. Although they can be treated with medicine, worms can prove to be fatal if they are left untreated.
Hairball
Hairballs are the most common health problem for cats. All cats groom themselves on a daily basis, normally swallowing the loose hair that comes from their coats.
On occasion, this loose hair will gather into a ball and become lodged in the digestive tract instead of passing through in your cat’s stool.
When your cat starts to cough and hack, he is normally coughing up a hairball. Although it can be rather disgusting in the end, most cats can dislodge hairballs without any problems.
In rare cases, a hairball can pass through to a cat’s intestine, creating a blockage.
Blockages are very serious problems, and can be life threatening if they aren’t treated. If your cat becomes constipated, isn’t eating properly, or has a very dull coat, he could have a blockage.
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should take him to the vet immediately. You can prevent hairballs and blockages by brushing your cat 2 – 3 times a week to remove loose hair. You can also feed him food that is designed to control hairballs as well.
Urinary tract infection
Urinary tract infection is also a common health problem with cats. Urinary tract infection is more common with male cats that haven’t been neutered, although females can suffer from this problem as well.
When a cat suddenly stops going to his litter box, this problem is normally the cause. Another symptom is when the cat’s urine starts to smell really strong.
If you suspect that your cat has a urinary tract infection, you should take him to the vet. Your vet can treat the problem with medicine, and make recommendations to help avoid this problem in the future.
Feline leukemia
In the past, feline leukemia was the biggest cause of death in cats. These days however, there are vaccines available that can treat the disease.
To treat the disease, your cat will need to be given the shot before he or she is exposed. Even though death doesn’t happen immediately, cats that are exposed to feline leukemia normally don’t have a long life span.
If you know your cat has feline leukemia, you should never allow other cats around him, as the virus is highly contagious.
To protect your cat, you should always make sure that you take him to the vet for his regular check ups.
If you keep him up to date on his vaccinations, he should lead a healthy and productive life.
Although some health problems can’t be avoided, most of them can. You can also keep your cat indoors as well, which will protect him from a majority of health problems.
If your cat is an outdoor cat, regular visits to the vet will keep him healthy. As long as you take your cat to the vet and keep him healthy – he will be your companion for years to come.
Wondering How to Take Care of Health of Your Cute Cat ?
There are some simple things you can get yourself aware of while taking care of your catty’s health. Realize that health problems with pets are a common thing.It doesn’t matter what breed of cat you have but cat health problems are inevitable and will be there. Some may be hereditary, while others can easily be prevented.
Worms such as tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms etc. infect cats and can be fatal. Your cat can become weaker day by day if this is ignored, hence get him tested by a veterinary doctor. Hairballs also cause cats a lot of problems. Usually , cats swallow the loose hair that comes from their coats and this will gather into a ball and become lodged in the digestive tract instead of passing through in your cat’s stool. Although most cats can dislodge hairballs without any problems but sometimes, a hairball can pass through to a cat’s intestine, creating a blockage which can be threatening. Cats can also suffer from constipation because of hairballs and hence it is best to get it solved as soon as possible by visiting your vet.
When a cat suddenly stops going to his litter box or when the cat’s urine starts to smell really strong, it may be due to Urinary tract infection which is also a common health problem with cats.Urinary tract infection is more common with male cats that haven’t been neutered, although females can suffer from this problem as well. Your vet can treat the problem with medicine, and make recommendations to help avoid this problem in the future.
Cat eye health care is also an important part of the responsibility of owning a cat. Note that your cat’s eyes should be clear and when you see the outer part of the eyeball it should be white. Keep your cat’s eyes free of mucus by gently cleaning his or her eyes.Apply a neutralizing ointment before bathing the cat or before flea treatments.Keep hair out of your cat’s eyes, this is particularly true for long haired breeds such as Persians.
Cat allergies are also serious skin problems. Allergic symptoms can include itchy skin.Cats can be allergic to many things including food, fleas, pollens, plastics, and insect bites. Blood, skin, and food trial testing help to diagnose allergies.
Although some health problems can’t be avoided, most of them can. You can also keep your cat indoors as well, which will protect him from a majority of health problems.
The 5 Painful Conditions of Poor Cat Urinary Tract Health
Kate Rieger asked:
Cat urinary tract health care remains one of the top challenges facing caring cat owners. Be on the lookout for the symptoms cats show when they have poor cat urinary tract health or other feline urinary tract disorder(FLUTD).
You or someone you know probably has endured the human version of a urinary tract infection. There is an intense, persistent urge to urinate accompanied by a burning sensation when *********. The urine has a strong odor and there may even be blood in the urine.
In the cat world, these symptoms are very similar except that progressed cases of urinary tract infection in cats can lead to a very painful death. Cats of any age may suffer from the disorder, but older cats are more susceptible. Another similarity to human UTI is that both female and male cats can suffer from poor cat urinary tract health.
In fact, male cats are more susceptible to one condition more so than female cats — urinary stones.
5 Conditions of Poor Cat Urinary Cat Health
1. Incessant licking in the ******* area
2. Blood in the urine
3. Urinary(Bladder) stones also called uroliths
4. Urethral obstruction
5. Death
The only way your cat knows how to deal with an itch or burning sensation in his ******* area is to lick and lick and lick. One clue to a urinary tract infection in cats is that you find urine on the floor, or on tile or in the bathtub — really a blessing because you can see it.
Blood may be visible in the urine. However, if you don’t see any blood that doesn’t mean its not there. A trained eye using a microscope will note if there is blood in the urine.
Urinary stones are a huge reason to alert on changes in your cat’s behavior pointing out urinary tract infections in cats. These stones are mineral crystals formed in the bladder.
When the stones leave the bladder they travel down the urethra tube to exit the body. The stones become lodged in the urethra and block the passage of urine. This problem occurs more in male cats than females as the male urethra tube is narrower. Smaller stones cause a blockage where the female’s wider urethra allows the smaller crystals to pass through.
This is where time becomes a critical factor. If the stones aren’t dislodged naturally or medically, your cat endures a painful death. You have 72 hours from the onset to deal with the stones. Unfortunately, your cat may not display symptoms for 24 to 48 hours.
Causes
It was once thought that certain minerals in cat food contributed to urinary stones. Bacteria can also lead to poor cat urinary tract health.
Today, veterinarians pay more attention to the ph level of the cat’s urine. Ph is the measurement of the acid or alkaline level of the urine. Veterinarians recommend the ph level be around 6.0 to 6.5.
Prevention
Ask your vet to check the ph level in your cat’s urine.
Place clean, fresh water bowls throughout the house and outdoors so that water is very available to your cats. Provide smaller meals more frequently. Minimize major routine changes.
Make no mistake about it, you can help your cat stick to a simple, natural pet care program that promotes vital cat urinary tract health. There are a number of natural remedies available that are blends of herbs tested and proven to treat painful and chronic urinary tract infection in cats.
