Cats are among the most hygienic animals. They are known for being especially clean. If you have a cat, you can see that it spends most of its time licking itself. They devote many hours of the day to cleaning themselves.
However, during this self-grooming ritual, cats swallow some of their fur, which can cause hairballs to form in their intestines. Ultimately, from licking themselves so much, they bring some of their dead fur into their mouths and swallow it.
Hair is difficult to digest on its own, so this buildup of hair in the intestines can eventually block the intestinal tract and cause serious problems. Many cats tend to vomit hairballs.
Tips to help prevent hairballs
Daily brushing
The main advice for helping prevent hairballs is to brush your cat frequently. Daily grooming is very difficult with cats, but it is important to try to brush them daily. This helps remove dead fur and prevent them from swallowing it and it entering their intestines.
When choosing the right brush, it is recommended that you speak with a specialist for advice, but keep your pet's needs and coat type in mind.
Here, we recommend this brush, which is suitable for any type of cat and helps you remove up to 90% of dead hair. (Available at ARISTOSHOP)
Also, if your cat is somewhat restless and won't let you brush them, take advantage of petting them to rub them and try to remove as much dead hair as possible. In addition, this routine will help you build a stronger bond with your feline.
Malt
While daily brushing will help prevent your pet's hairballs, malt will help them expel them.
Malt is a honey-colored paste that helps improve cats' digestion in the intestinal tract. It helps them expel ingested fur and promotes intestinal transit. This paste has a natural laxative effect that helps them have better intestinal transit, expel all the hair, and prevent hairballs from forming.
In addition to this paste, there are other food products, such as snacks and even cat food, that contain malt among their ingredients to improve your cat's digestion and prevent hairballs.
Regarding the dosage of malt to give a cat, it is recommended that you speak with your trusted veterinarian for advice and instructions based on your cat's characteristics.
Likewise, whenever you notice that your cat is showing any unusual symptoms, vomiting, or lethargy, it is recommended that you take them to the veterinarian, as excess fur in the intestines can cause serious problems.