Pet Grooming To Prevent Hairballs

     What is a hairball?  A hairball is aptly named for exactly what it is – a large ball of hair.  Hairballs are a common problem for both cats and rabbits.  Hairballs can cause serious medical problems or even death for an animal unless the pet owner takes steps to help eliminate or lessen the chance of hairballs even developing in their pet.  This is where consistent pet grooming becomes vital to the health of your pet.

     Rabbits groom their bodies by licking their hair.  The hair caught on the tongue is then ingested into the stomach.  If not prevented by regular brushing, the hair can accumulate and develop into a large mass, or ball.  Rabbits are not capable of vomiting, so the hairball can realistically block the intestines and can be fatal to a rabbit.

     Cats also suffer from hairballs because they too groom their bodies with their tongue.  If you’ve ever had a cat lick you, you know that a cat’s tongue has a rough texture.  Although this physical feature is ideal for grooming purposes, a cat’s tongue tends to gather any loose or dead hair.  You’ll also know (if you watched a cat groom itself), that cats cannot shake the hair off of their tongue, so it is swallowed instead. 

     Once a hairball forms inside, a cat will most likely vomit it up and out (onto your freshly shampooed carpet no doubt), or be able to eliminate it through normal daily visits to the litter box.  However, there are times when a cat is unable to rid itself of a hairball.  In that case, it can cause a blockage in the intestine and turn into a very real medical problem for your pet.

     Why is pet grooming to prevent hairballs important?  Any veterinarian will tell you that proper grooming of a cat or rabbit will help to prevent hairballs.  A cat can be brushed daily or weekly.  Be sure to always gently remove the mats first by using a large-tooth comb.  Short-haired cats can be brushed as often as once a week and you’ll still prevent hairballs.  However, if you have a long haired cat, be sure to brush her daily to help prevent hairballs.

     There are several products on the market today that your pet can ingest to help prevent hairballs.  Paste-like substances can be licked from your finger or added to a treat during the day.  If you feel this might be necessary for your pet, talk to your veterinarian.  However, consistent pet grooming sessions are still hailed by vets and pet grooming professionals as the foremost remedy for preventing hairballs in pets.

     Proper grooming of your pet is an enjoyable time for both of you.  Physical contact is vital for our well being and our pet’s health too.  Think of grooming your pet in this way.  It’s much less expensive to purchase a brush for grooming than it would be for your pet to undergo surgery to remove a hairball.  Your pet will be happier and healthier when groomed on a regular basis, so be sure to include grooming along with your other pet duties.