Cat cough that's caused due to hairballs can be easily treated at home. It's important for pet owners to determine if the cough is caused exclusively by hairballs, or if there are underlying diseases such as asthma or bronchitis that induce cat cough. Every cat ejects hairballs occasionally. However, if the cough is more chronic in nature, it's best to get the pet examined by a vet.
Cats follow self grooming procedures, and the cat's tongue pulls out loose or dead hair. The cat generally swallows the loose fur. The fur passes through the intestinal tract and is excreted in the feces. Sometimes the hair doesn't pass through the intestinal tract and mixes with undigested food, forming hairballs.
What is Hairball Induced Cat Cough?
Cats suffering from hairballs attempt to remove the hairball orally. The cat will exhibit symptoms of wheezing or coughing along with vomiting. Very often the hair gets stuck at the back of the cat's throat during the coughing or wheezing. Sometimes pets eject hairballs along with bile. Owners may also notice pets retching or displaying stomach contractions during the hairball removal process.
Pet Grooming
Pets that vomit hairballs more than twice a month require hairball treatment. There are several commercially available hairball treatments that provide pet's effective relief. Along with hairball medication, pet grooming is a good preventive measure.
Consider brushing your pet's coat every few days. This will eliminate loose hair and prevent your cat from ingesting unwanted hair when she grooms herself. Although hairballs are common in all cats, certain pets with long fur are more susceptible to developing hairballs. Pets may also shed more hair in the winter months.
Hairball Remedies
- Vetbasis Hairball Gel
- Excel sugar-free kittymalt hairball remedy
- PetAg Hairball Solution
- Pet Naturals of Vermont hairball relief cat soft chews
- NaturVet Natural Hairball Aid Gel
Cat Hairball Formula Food
- Friskies Selects Indoor canned cat food
- Hills Science Diet adult hairball control canned cat food
- Iams Pro Active Health hairball cat care food
- Iams Pro Active Health indoor weight and hairball cat care food
- Pro Plan Extra Care hairball management canned food
Before starting your pet on a diet for hairball control, discuss an appropriate treatment plan with your vet. Cat hairball medication is available in a variety of flavors to make it tastier for pets. Avoid giving your pet an overdose of petroleum-based medication, as this can reduce the absorption of vitamin A in the body. Read and follow package instructions carefully before administering any pet medication. Although home remedies for hairballs exist, they might not be adequate for your pet, as they could contain certain toxins that go unnoticed.
Severe damage caused by hairballs is rare, but certain pets develop intestinal blockage due to large hairballs that could be fatal. Watch for symptoms of hairball related cough with lack of appetite or constipation, and seek prompt vet care.