Posts Tagged ‘hair-balls’

Common Health Problems Of Cats

If you are new to owning a cat, you may be surprised to find that health problems are a common thing.  No matter what breed of cat you own, health problems are to be expected.  Some may be hereditary, while others can easily be prevented.

Worms
No matter what breed of cat it may be, worms are a very common and recurring problem.  Tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms are among the most common that infect cats.  Cats who have problems gaining weight, problems with fleas, or if you find white specks in his stool, you should have your vet test him for worms.  Although they can be treated with medicine, worms can prove to be fatal if they are left untreated.

Hairball
Hairballs are the most common health problem for cats.  All cats groom themselves on a daily basis, normally swallowing the loose hair that comes from their coats.  On occasion, this loose hair will gather into a ball and become lodged in the digestive tract instead of passing through in your cat’s stool.  When your cat starts to cough and hack, he is normally coughing up a hairball.  Although it can be rather disgusting in the end, most cats can dislodge hairballs without any problems.

In rare cases, a hairball can pass through to a cat’s intestine, creating a blockage.  Blockages are very serious problems, and can be life threatening if they aren’t treated.  If your cat becomes constipated, isn’t eating properly, or has a very dull coat, he could have a blockage.  If you notice any of these symptoms, you should take him to the vet immediately.  You can prevent hairballs and blockages by brushing your cat 2 – 3 times a week to remove loose hair.  You can also feed him food that is designed to control hairballs as well.

Urinary tract infection
Urinary tract infection is also a common health problem with cats.  Urinary tract infection is more common with male cats that haven’t been neutered, although females can suffer from this problem as well.  When a cat suddenly stops going to his litter box, this problem is normally the cause.  Another symptom is when the cat’s urine starts to smell really strong.  If you suspect that your cat has a urinary tract infection, you should take him to the vet.  Your vet can treat the problem with medicine, and make recommendations to help avoid this problem in the future.

Feline leukemia
In the past, feline leukemia was the biggest cause of death in cats. These days however, there are vaccines available that can treat the disease.  To treat the disease, your cat will need to be given the shot before he or she is exposed.  Even though death doesn’t happen immediately, cats that are exposed to feline leukemia normally don’t have a long life span.  If you know your cat has feline leukemia, you should never allow other cats around him, as the virus is highly contagious.

To protect your cat, you should always make sure that you take him to the vet for his regular check ups.  If you keep him up to date on his vaccinations, he should lead a healthy and productive life.  Although some health problems can’t be avoided, most of them can.  You can also keep your cat indoors as well, which will protect him from a majority of health problems.  If your cat is an outdoor cat, regular visits to the vet will keep him healthy.  As long as you take your cat to the vet and keep him healthy – he will be your companion for years to come.

Treat Your Cat’s Hairballs Naturally

Hairballs are caused by a cat swallowing its own fur during the normal process of cleaning itself, and then not being able to eliminate the fur during defecation. This can be caused by a couple of things. If your cat is a long-haired variety, it's imperative that you comb him or her daily if possible. It's very common for long-haired cats, even young, healthy ones, to develop hairballs if not properly groomed.

Younger cats have an innate ability to eliminate the fur due to the fact their digestive systems are stronger and more resilient. It's possible for a short-haired cat to develop a hairball problem as they get older, just because they're no longer able to eliminate the fur. The most common symptom of hairballs is vomiting. If your cat vomits and you see fur in it, that's almost undoubtedly the problem. The second most noticeable symptom is constipation. If you see that your cat isn't using the box as normal, this could also be the problem.

Once you determine that this is the cause of the vomiting or constipation, there are a few options for treatment. However, I would advise being careful to make sure this really is the problem. If your cat seems otherwise healthy, eating normally, playing, etc…this would be my first assumption. If the cat exhibits any symptoms of being ill as in not eating, not playing, seems feverish, I would recommend a vet visit.

To treat hairballs, there are over the counter remedies that contain mineral oil. Mineral oil is a petroleum based product that is the equivalent to taking a harsh laxative for us humans. If you've ever used these products, you know they're not really good for you, but if you're miserable, they'll do.

If you'd like to avoid that, there are a couple of healthy, natural alternatives. A teaspoon of olive oil added to your cat's wet food for a few days can help clear up the problem. Also, and maybe even better, try using canned pumpkin in the wet food. About a tablespoon per day is a good amount. The pumpkin is high in fiber. It may work a little more slowly than the olive oil, but the fiber is good for kitty. We sometimes forget that big cats in the wild do get fiber in their diet by eating the remains in the stomachs of their prey, which are most always herbivores.

After you begin using these remedies, keep an eye on your friend. If the symptoms don't clear up in a two or three days, take him or her to the vet. Older cats can become impacted, which is a dangerous situation and requires veterinary care. Take care of your baby and you can enjoy many years of friendship and love.