Dear Critter Corner: My kitty Jiji has been coughing up more hairballs lately, sometimes two to three times a week. Are there any remedies for this?
As the weather gets warmer during spring and into summer, some cats will experience an increase in hairballs. This can be due to their coat shedding more to get ready for the hotter summer months and the cats may be grooming more in preparation as well. Sometimes the hairballs come out easy and smooth but a lot of times the hairballs create quite the discomfort for a cat as it tries to expel the sticky substance.
To try to prevent or reduce the hairballs, be sure that you’re grooming your cat regularly to assist in removing any loose fur so that your cat has less fur to remove themselves and less that gets swallowed. If your cat is not used to being groomed with a brush, do a little investigation to see what type of brush would be most suitable and take it slow in getting your cat used to the brush. If paired with treats, pets, and praise initially, a cat can become quite pleased with brushing, purring throughout the session.
Another option to target hairball reduction involves your cat’s diet. Many cat food brands target their food to specifically reduce hairballs. Check for various types at your local pet store along with food that may be more specific to their age, weight, and living situation (indoor versus outdoor). Do keep in mind that older cats need a little more assistance with proper digestion, and food specific to senior cats can help with a healthy digestion, weight, and hairballs.
If your cat enjoys treats, check out some that target hairball issues. These may come in crunchy treat formulas or even gel type lubricants that your kitty can lick off of a spoon. If the hairballs continue to get worse, do speak with your veterinarian to help review your kitty’s overall health as well.