The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too : Cat Hair The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too : Cat Hair
Showing posts with label Cat Hair. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cat Hair. Show all posts

Monday, August 20, 2018

Cats Are Especially Prone to Hairball Formation, Since They Groom Themselves by Licking Their Fur


What is a hairball? A hairball is a small collection of hair or fur formed in the stomach of animals that is occasionally vomited up when it becomes too big. Hairballs are primarily a tight elongated cylinder of packed fur, but may include bits of other elements such as swallowed food. Cats are especially prone to hairball formation since they groom themselves by licking their fur, and thereby ingest it.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says, that during a cat’s daily grooming regimen, they may inadvertently swallow loose hair, which generally passes through the digestive system into the cat’s stool. Some hair can remain, however, and collect in the stomach or small intestine, causing the cat to hack, gag or retch until he vomits the offending detritus.

How to Recognize Hairball Problems:
  • Cylindrical (cigar-shaped) masses on the floor or furniture.
  • Constipation, or hard stools with hair showing.
  • Dry, matted coat
  • Frequent dry coughing or hacking, particularly after meals
  • Lack of interest in eating.
  • Depression or lethargy.
Why Don’t Dogs get Hairballs?
Unlike cats, dogs are not particularly fastidious when it comes to cleaning themselves. Dogs can tolerate being dirty, stinky, and messy. Cats, on the other hand, groom excessively and don’t require baths. They have a naturally barbed tongue that grabs shedding hair. Because dogs don’t groom, they don’t develop hairballs

The number one way to avoid hairballs on the floor and in your cat is brushing!





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Monday, December 14, 2015

Why Don't Cats Go Gray?


Why don’t cats go gray like dogs do? Betsy Joliat

I’m jealous of my brown-and-black tabby, Fergie. When I adopted her as a 1-ish-year-old she sported a cute little white patch around her mouth and chin. I was in my mid-20s and my hair was blond. Eighteen years later, Fergie’s white patch is the same size and shape as the day we met — I have photos to prove it — but my blond hair now has gray highlights. She’s a super senior, but I’m only middle-aged and her lack of gray hair seems unfair.

One of my favorite dog friends is a black Labrador that started showing his age with lots of white hairs on his muzzle and around his eyes.

To read more on this story, click here: Why Don't Cats Go Gray?




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Sunday, June 7, 2015

Here Are Some Specific Regimens for People Allergic to Cats to Follow to Help Alleviate Their Symptoms


Itchy eyes, itchy noses and sneezing are never pleasant. And when it's because of a cat, well … that’s worst of all. If you are allergic to cats and decide to get one, then you’ll be happy to learn most people tend to build up a tolerance to the allergens found in the cat’s dander and saliva. There are also specific regimens allergic people can follow, as well as medication to help alleviate their symptoms.

But if one of your loved ones is allergic to cats and they are not helped by medication, what can you do? Other than replacing your loved ones (this is not usually recommended), there are some ways to reduce the effects of allergens in your home.

Clean, clean, clean. People don’t understand how much of a difference a cat's daily grooming and a thorough house sweeping can make. Keep the surfaces and floors as fur-free as possible, and the reactions to the cat’s allergens should also diminish. Floors and carpets can especially be a haven for the cat's hair and dander, so vacuum them often and take the rugs out for a cleaning -- preferably more than once every spring.

Another way to reduce the effect of cat allergens is to try (emphasis on "try") and bathe the cat every four to six weeks using a cat shampoo. This will help remove the dander buildup, extra hair, and saliva, which contains a natural deodorant and cleansing agent that causes allergic reactions. Rinsing the cat is important and may prove difficult, as most cats don't like being in water. Combine that with its claws and agility, and you may be in some emergency room type of trouble. But seriously, have a trusted friend or family member sponge bathe the cat while you hold it down.

An air purifier can sometimes be a great weapon against allergens. It will help remove impurities from the environment and although more expensive, a commercial purifier usually works better than a regular one. Routinely brushing the cat's hair will also reduce the amount of fur (and thus dander) floating in the air.

While not always practical, going to a doctor for an allergic exam can be advantageous. As there are many household items which can initiate an allergic reaction, this test will help sort out the underlying cause(s). It is more of a trial and error type of test, but can work wonders at determining the allergic agents quickly.

Using a combination of these methods -- or even all of them -- should greatly reduce the amount of allergens in the air, and hopefully make your home a sniffles-free zone. Good luck. Hopefully you and your family will be able to hug and kiss your kitty cat soon.

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