by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

If you are a cat owner you know that awful sound of your poor kitty trying to hack up a hairball.  It not only sounds scary, but can be painful for the cat, and not so pretty for your decor.   National Hairball Awareness day, April 26, 2013, brings attention to this common condition in cats. (yes there is a day for everything now! but this is no hacking, oops laughing matter, ack!)

Cats get hairball from constantly grooming themselves and can form a hairball in their stomach – in which they then can vomit back up.

To help prevent your cat from getting hairballs you can do the following:

• Brushing your cat regularly with a cat brush or a kitty deshedding FURminator helps get rid of the loose cat hair that they would likely ingest.
• Feed your cat a healthy diet.  (Not sure what a healthly diet is for your cat, contact Holistic Veterinarian and pet nutrition expert Dr. Michel A. Selmer of Advanced Animal Care Center – he can help!)
  
• There are also hairball lubricants on the market which you can try – follow the directions – but a home remedy that always help my cat was a tiny bit of olive oil – she lapped it right up.
• Consult with your veterinarian if your cat is coughing a lot and nothing comes up – it could be a more serious problem like asthma.
• And pay attention to your cats habits and behavior in general – if a behavior changes or something new arises in your cat – consult your vet!  Cats are very good at hiding aliments or illnesses – so regulary veterinary care is important!

Wishing you and your kitty less hairballs!

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