The formation of hairballs in cats is a more common problem than we think. Also called trichobezoar, the accumulation of hair in the body can greatly damage the health of a feline, especially if the hairball is not completely expelled. Therefore, the attention of the guardian is essential to identify the signs of the problem and provide the appropriate help to the animal. One thing that helps a lotat these times, including knowing how to make the cat vomit hairballs.

But why is trichobezoar considered so dangerous for felines? What causes a hairball cat and what are the best ways to prevent it? To clarify everything you need to know about the subject, we've gathered the most important information below. check it out!

What is feline trichobezoar?

For those who do not know, trichobezoar is nothing more than the accumulation of hair - or hair, in the case of humans - inside the stomach. The threads, in turn, when swallowed and not digested by the body end up adhering to other substances in the animal's gastrointestinal tract.

Although it is a common condition, anyone who has a kitten should pay extra attention to their pet as a precaution. When there is any sign of trichobezoar, cats become extremely uncomfortable and do everything they can to expel what is causing the discomfort, but they do not always succeed. This becomes a dangerous situation that can open the door to more serious health problems if left unchecked.time, leaving the cat with diarrhea, constipation or intestinal obstruction.

How does the hairball form in the feline organism?

It's not news to anyone that felines are super hygiene-conscious animals, and the act of cleaning themselves with their tongues proves it. The shape of the taste buds contributes a lot in this sense, since it basically works like a comb and helps to untangle possible knots in the animal's body. The problem is that, during the self-cleaning process, it is common for the cat toend up ingesting a certain amount of hair. When it is not digested, this accumulation is what forms the hairball.

What not everyone knows is that trichobezoar does not only contain the animal's fur. Anyone who has seen a cat vomiting a hairball must have noticed that other substances are present there. When expelling a hairball, a mixture composed of hair, gastric secretions, saliva and even food remains is formed. With a thicker consistency, this type of vomit often has a colorationSo don't be alarmed if you wake up to find a hairball on the floor of your home.

Hairballs in cats: symptoms to watch out for!

The symptoms of hairballs in cats hardly go unnoticed, but sometimes they can be confused with other health problems because they are non-specific. In any case, when the ball gets stuck in the intestine and the animal cannot expel it, some signs that should alert the guardian are:

• apathy
• tiredness
• weakness
• lack of appetite
• regurgitations
• urge to vomit
• constipation
• diarrhea

What are the main causes of hairball in cats?

Of course, feline hygiene alone contributes to hairball formation, but did you know that there are some factors that further predispose this problem? To give you an idea, there are at least four main causes - besides self-cleaning - that favor the accumulation of hair in the gastrointestinal tract. They are:

• Skin diseases in cats
• Stress
• Long coat
• Bowel problems

The explanation is as follows: in the case of skin diseases, such as dermatitis and allergies, the cat tends to lick itself more often to relieve itching and other discomforts, increasing hair intake. A stressed cat may also have excessive licking as its main behavior, as if it were something even compulsive.

Long fur, on the other hand, is often more difficult to digest because of its length and therefore accumulates more easily. A cat with intestinal problems makes it difficult to digest both food and fur, and therefore gastric trichobezoar is formed.

How to help the cat vomit hairball?

This is one of the most frequent doubts when it comes to trichobezoar. Cats with the problem, most of the time, are able to expel the hairball without great difficulty. But what about when this does not happen? In these cases, knowing how to help the cat to vomit hairball is something that makes all the difference in the life of the guardian, and fortunately there are some tricks that work very well if theproblem is not serious.

One of the "home remedy" options to remove hairballs in cats is petroleum jelly, which acts as if it were a laxative and is not harmful to felines. The technique is very simple: just apply a little of the product to the cat's paw, and wait for the reaction of the kitty - who will probably start licking the area to try to get the petroleum jelly out of there. With that, he ends up ingesting some of the laxative and,in a short time, it will start to expel the stuck hairball. Another way to facilitate the removal of trichobezoar in cats is to use butter instead of petroleum jelly.

And it doesn't stop there: for those who love natural alternatives, there are also some plants that help in the process. Cat grasses are very rich in fiber and their consumption improves intestinal transit, causing the expulsion of the hairball without compromising the integrity of your kitten. So it's worth learning how to plant one of these at home, or simply buy them ready at the pet storeSome options are catnip and valerian.

Remedy for hairball removal in cats: malt is a recommended product

If your kitten suffers from frequent hairballs, it is very likely that your veterinarian has already recommended the use of specific products to treat this, such as malt for cats. Also called malt paste, the substance is nothing more than a paste composed of malt extract, vegetable oils, fibers, yeast, dairy products and vitamins. Like petroleum jelly and butter, the product has a very highlaxative effect.

To offer malt to cats, good news is that some versions have dyes and flavorings that attract the animal's attention. Therefore, felines often end up eating the paste straight from the packaging (which resembles a tube of toothpaste). If your pet doesn't get used to it at first, however, you should offer it as if it were a medicine, putting it in his mouth.

The amount should not be too large: each dose should be about the size of a hazelnut. Because it has a laxative effect, excess malt can end up causing intestinal disorders in the pet, so be careful. Use in moderation!

In which cases is it necessary to seek the help of a veterinarian?

If even with the above tips the cat is unable to expel the hairball, the best alternative is to take it for a consultation with a veterinarian. The ideal is to seek this type of help especially if the symptoms of the hairball last a long time and the kitten is unable to expel anything, as in the long term trichobezoar in cats can become a major problem.

5 ways to avoid a cat with a hairball

1) Brush your cat's hair properly. One tip is to set aside a little time in your week to dedicate yourself exclusively to brushing your friend's hair, removing the dead coat and avoiding trichobezoar. It is worth remembering that depending on the type of hair, brushing should be done more frequently.

2) The cat's diet should be rich in fiber. For this reason, high-quality pet foods - such as Premium or Super Premium - are usually the most recommended for kittens. In addition to being very nutritious, they contain the ideal amount of fiber to improve food digestion and prevent hairballs.

3) Encourage hydration of the animal. This care goes far beyond the prevention of trichobezoar in cats, as it also helps to prevent several very serious health problems, such as kidney failure. One way to encourage the habit is to make several water points available around the house or buy a cat water fountain.

4) Keep your pet's living environment clean. It's a good idea to set aside a day a week to do some heavy-duty cleaning around the house and remove dead hair from every room. After all, they can also cling to your pet's body or even fall into their water bowl or feeder - and you already know that this soon turns into a snowball (or rather: hair).

5) Avoid infestations of parasites in the cat's body. Both fleas and ticks in cats are problems that can happen without proper care. The point is that when such an infestation occurs, the animal tends to lick itself much more often, which can also cause the hairball in a short time. So look for alternatives to not let fleas and ticks dominate!