KATIE: Thanks but no thanks, Waffles. I know where that tongue of yours has been.
WAFFLES: What do you mean? My tongue is right here.
KATIE: I don't care where it's been or where it is right now. Just keep it to yourself. We are NOT going to become those cats that bathe each other.
WAFFLES: How about the cats that bathe together???
Did you know it's National Hairball Awareness Day?
The last time I was aware of a hairball, I plopped it strategically in Glogirly's shoe. For some cats, all this bathing can lead to some nasty hairballs. In all seriousness though, hairballs are not something any of us kitties OR our cat parents enjoy. An occasional hairball is to be expected, but if you're coughing them up on a regular basis it could be a sign of other health problems and should discussed with your vet.
For those random hairballs though, we've got a few quick tips to keep them away.
Katie & Waffles' Hairball Prevention Tips
1. Regular Brushing and Combing
Some cats LOVE being brushed or combed, but not all cats. Treats make the world go round, and they also go a long way towards making your date with the brush a little more fun. Long hair cats may need daily brushing, whereas short hairs cats like me and Waffles only really need it a couple of times a week. Regular brushing will help cut down on hairballs and can also become a special bonding time for you and your cat parent. We use the Andis Steel Comband the FURminator deShedding Tool for Cats.
2. Proper Nutrition
A species appropriate diet high in protein, grain free and with little or no carbohydrates can go a long way towards keeping those hairballs away. Canned food and whole foods (not kibble or dry) are smart choices. There are many hairball prevention treats available too, but we believe that good nutrition is the foundation.
3. Water
Some of our cat friends aren't very good drinkers. Many cats prefer a little movement to their water. We use a filtered fountain. It's always running and the bar is always open. It's best to keep your water separate and away from your food too.
4. Stress Management
Awhile back, Katie began over grooming, most likely because of stress factors like a new kitten in the house. For a short time, we used an odorless and tasteless product called Cat Lax that our vet recommended to us. Just a half teaspoon or so added into food once a day. That, in combination with things like increasing playtime for both Katie and Waffles and making sure to get plenty of one-on-one bonding time in really made a difference. Two other products we've had a lot of success with when it comes to maintaining calm in the Townhouse are Feliway's Plug In Diffusersand Spirit Essences Stress Stopper.
Please Note: We're not veterinarians and we're not experts. We're just a couple of cats who've been around the block when it comes to our own hairballs.
With four Farm cats there are hairballs. Usually at two in the morning.
ReplyDeleteI get groomed for shows twice a month, but Boodie gets FURminated!
ReplyDeleteWe don't get em very often.
ReplyDeletegreat grooming tips,xx Rachel
ReplyDeleteWe don't want to be groomed often ,,, but if treats are there, we are too!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are right on with your advice tho,even if you are not vets!
ReplyDeleteOh that first picture is WONDERFUL! They all are. Such a serious undertaking...the cat bath! And rightfully so, it IS hairball season now!
ReplyDeleteWell, we're two of those cats that bath each other. Though Wally usually does more lickin' than me. So you should see the hairballs he leaves! ;) ~Ernie
ReplyDeletemom keeps sayin she needs to brush us a little more....though some cooperate her more than others
ReplyDeleteGreat photos- I love the close up of the tongue.
ReplyDeleteHannah rarely gets fur balls despite her longish fur so Mum has a zoom groom for her which she likes as it doesn't pull like the brush does.
ReplyDeleteLuv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
The Woman furminates Gemini to within an inch of her life. We get huge gobs of hair out of her but it does keep down her furballs!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the tips, Katie, Waffles, and Glogirly!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, we don't bathe each other either, MOL.
Waffles, you kill me!!!! xoxo
ReplyDeleteEvery kitty here seems to enjoy the brush..we got a new brush that does a great job getting those down under furs on the kitties with longer fur..
ReplyDeleteYour photos are always amazingly gorgeous and I enjoy them each and every day.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips ! Silly Mum misunderstood her calendar (yeah, yeah, we know...) and planned our Hairball Awareness Day post on tomorrow ! Can you believe it ? Purrs
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips! I am a Big Fan of the Furminator!
ReplyDeleteMe and Eric used to bathe each other, but it always led to wrassling.
ReplyDeleteDerby and I used to do each other a little bit, but not all the time. But I don't hack up hair balls, never have! While Derby with his weak tummy yak'd up all the time, hairballs, foods. Mum is happy she has cleaner floors now!
ReplyDeleteAllie: Oh Katie does Gloman help you with a spa day now and again???
ReplyDelete