One may often encounter hairball problems with cats. Undigested hair that builds up inside a cats body are called "cat hairballs". There are only 2 ways for a cat to get rid of the hair caught inside - with the aid of the digestive system or coughing it out. Since cats have rough tongues which they use vigorously to clean their fur, their stomach collects dead hair in large quantities. It is common for hair to be processed through their digestive system and find its way out with other materials that "flows down the drain". From time to time too much hair will pile up inside the body, blocking the paths in such a way that an alternative path must be used.

Cats with long fur many times develop more hairballs than other cats. If a cat is not able to rid itself of cat hairballs through vomiting or through the digestive system, it may suffer from a blockage in the intestine or stomach. Left untreated for too long, it can be life-threatening. Without surgery, that blockage caused by a hairball may be deadly.

Cat hairballs are wide spread in felines and seem to be harmless, yet that is a false view. Cats and hairballs may seem to go together, yet some times complications happen. To minimize hairballs you can assist your cat with taking care of dead hair. First, brush your cat to strengthen the hair. Secondly, improve your cats eating habits. Feed it healthy food containing minerals that strengthen the hair and assist the digestive system with getting rid of the hair. Research different manufactures that produces such kind of food.

Special treats for your cats containing petroleum products may also help fighting cat hairballs. These petroleum-based treats help coat the tummy and digestive system for smooth passage through the body. There are several possibilities to administer these petroleum-based treats. Some cats may be fed simply by spoon. With others, try putting some food on their snout and maybe they will lick it off. If these methods fail, put some on their paws and watch them lick the treats off that way. If you follow this advice you will encounter the cats and hairballs phenomenon less and less.

When a blockage caused by cat hairballs will happen is impossible to predict, yet once it happens you must look for complication symptoms. If the cat coughs for 24 hours with no relief, if it lacks appetite, and can not release his bowel movements you must act immediately. Take it to a vet for surgery, because this may be the only way to remove the blockage. Keep a close eye on your cat and take preventive measures.