Exactly What is National Hairball Day?

National Hairball Day was April 24 - yes, there is such a thing - and, while it's easy to laugh at this and think there must be better things to celebrate, it is a great time to talk about them and how they impact your cat's overall health.  Since it's now springtime, we may see our cats shedding more than usual to thin out that winter coat. That might lead to more frequent hairball cough-ups than normal so we need to know what is normal and what isn't.

A great article by cattime.com explains what hairballs actually are. That may seem pretty obvious to anyone who's had to clean up after a cat has thrown up a hairball, but it's worth being sure.

Every time a cat grooms, its barbed tongue - which to us feels like sandpaper - acts like a brush through its fur, pulling out the undercoat of hair, dirt, and anything else that could be in the fur.  This fur has to go somewhere.  A cat's system is set up to process and get rid of this build-up of stuff.  Normally, the hair goes through a cat's stomach and the digestive system and goes right into the litter box.

Sometimes, though, it can get caught in the stomach, where it sits building up into a ball and absorbing bile, which will eventually cause the cat to throw it up.

So, when are hairballs NOT normal?  Some vets say that a cat might only throw up one or two hairballs in a year.  Every cat is different, though, so the number of hairballs an owner might see will be different for each cat.  As with all things around being a cat parent, owners need to pay attention and stay vigilant.  If a cat throws up hairballs frequently and also gags, coughs or hacks while doing it, there may be something else going on.  Other signs related to frequent vomiting are diarrhea or even constipation, and noticing a lot of cat hair in the litter box.  That's the time to call the vet.  At the same time, cats who seem to have difficulty throwing up a hairball may also need to see a vet, since not expelling one can cause an obstruction.

There are several ways to help prevent hairballs in cats.  The best one is regular grooming with a soft bristled brush.  The BCR cats, like Snicker, Misty, Morticia and Lisa, get regular brushing sessions from staff and volunteers along with some summer hair cuts!  That helps keep their coats healthy and them from developing hairballs.  This is especially helpful for longer-haired cats.

There are also cat treats and special cat foods that help cats pass the hairballs through the stomach. The food also helps reduce shedded hair and adds fiber to their diets to help digestion.  Keeping plenty of fresh water available for cats is also critical.  The article also notes that bored cats tend to groom more often so keep lots of entertaining toys around! 

CLICK HERE to read the full article on hairballs.