Protect Your Pet from Illness Caused By Hairballs

Cat insurance will protect your cat against the potential discomfort that hairballs can cause. Hairballs can block your cat's intestines and prevent digested food from passing easily, which may lead to more complicated illnesses. Luckily good pet insurance will allow you to claim each year for vets' bills if your cat falls ill as a result of hairballs or any other illness.

Hairballs are a perfectly natural part of a cat's life. Hairballs form when the cat grooms itself, licking its fur with its tongue, and swallowing excessive amounts of hair. Hair cannot be digested, so it usually forms into small balls which the cat can then cough up. If your cat cannot cough up the hairball, the hair can compact with undigested food in the stomach and intestines to cause impactions. These impactions can cause painful constipation in your cat's digestive tract and may need to be removed surgically.[1]

So how can you recognize hairball problems in your cat? Firstly you may see cylindrical masses of hair on the floor as your cat coughs up hairballs. Your cat may also be coughing or dry hacking, particularly after meals, which is usually a sign that they are having trouble in their digestive system. Your cat may even be lethargic and show a complete disinterest in eating at all. If the hairballs have formed impactions in the digestive system, you may also notice that your cat is constipated or their stools have hair showing in them.

If you notice any of these signs, or you are worried about your cat's health in any way, then you should contact your vet immediately. They will be able to assess your cat's overall health and ascertain whether your pet has a problem with digestion. If your cat then needs treatment, you should contact your pet insurance provider to confirm that they are able to cover the cost of the treatment - and they may even be able to pay the vet directly.

Do try to groom your pet with a fine cat comb on a regular basis, as this should help remove the excess hair that can cause hairball problems in the first place. With a little care and attention and the financial security of pet insurance, you and your cat should be happy together again.

[1] - vetbase.co.uk/information/fur-balls-constipation.php