Hey all! Did you know that April 30th (TODAY) is National Hairball Awareness Day? ILRA is celebrating with Romeo the Cat and the folks over at FURminator Inc (who provided the great content) by giving you, our awesome readers, a few tips on hairball prevention and overall cat welfare.

Five Tips for Preventing Hairballs

Fuzzballs, cat scratches and dirty litter boxes may be top complaints from cat parents, but paws down, hairballs are among the worst of the worst. In observation of National Hairball Awareness Day, to help both cats and parents alike, FURminator, Inc. created five quick tips for hairball prevention.

1. Regular Grooming: Decrease the amount of hair your cat ingests by using the FURminator deLuxe deShedding Tool, which reduces shedding by nearly 90 percent.

2. Home Remedies: Add a little canned pumpkin to your cat’s meals once or twice a week. The fiber in the pumpkin can help move any hair clods through their system.

3. Stay Hydrated: Encourage your cat to drink plenty of water by placing various bowls throughout the house. The water will help flush out the hair before it has time to clump in the stomach.

4. A New Menu: There are several specially formulated cat foods that aid in the fight against hairballs. Always consult with your vet first before making any drastic changes to your cat’s diet.

5. Ask Your Vet: If you believe your cat has a chronic hairball problems ask your veterinarian to recommend a laxative supplement to help prevent ingested hairs from forming hairballs.

A Closer Looks At Cats: Wellness, Aging, Instincts & Hairballs

We’re also taking a closer look at the cat: feline wellness, aging, instincts and the dreaded hairball!

Did you know?

• When a cat coughs up a hairball, it is actually choking. This hacking can be dangerous and can cause death in some cases. Cats will over-groom themselves, especially in the spring during peak shedding season. To reduce the amount of hair ingested, and the corresponding hack that follows, many veterinarians recommend the FURminator deLuxe deShedding Tool for cats; it’s a safe, natural and holistic way to lessen the amount of hair cats ingest.
• Cats have primal instincts and the location of their water bowl can prove it. In the wild a cat would never drag its kill to a watering hole to eat and drink at the same time. House cats have inherited this same instinct. Owners should keep a cat’s water bowl in a separate location than their food bowl. Cats will drink more water (and this increase will help their system clean itself of ingested hair).
• A cat’s age can affect how they shed. As a kitten matures their coat changes in several ways – texture, thickness, curl and coloring. This transition may take up to two years depending on the breed. Once a kitten’s coat has matured they will begin to shed more by dropping their “kitten coat”. Consult with a veterinarian or groomer on when a cat’s grooming needs change.
• Keep cats active to stay healthy; they’re athletes at heart. A healthy cat can jump as much as seven times its height and yet 21 percent of cats are considered obese or overweight by their veterinarians. Interactive toys with feathers on the end will encourage cats to leap, stretch and stay active. Keeping cats active will help them maintain a healthy skin and coat, as well as increase balance and coordination.

April means more than just hairballs – spring cleaning tips & tricks

Shedding peaks in the spring, causing increased hairballs, as well as fur tumbleweeds rolling across floors and lawns and furniture… Pet owners, both feline and canine, are looking for ways to battle the fuzz and capitalize on all that spring cleaning elbow grease. Rid your home of excess pet fur and keep a clean, healthy pet by following these simple tips from FURminator, Inc.

• Healthy Diet: Diet plays a key role in your pet’s overall health. Feeding your pet a quality pet food with protein, vitamins and Omega-Fatty Acids will promote a healthy weight and topcoat and can help reduce shedding.
• Scratch the Itch: Pets can itch because of fleas, dry skin or even a skin allergy, which can spread dander throughout the house. Whatever the cause, make sure to speak with your veterinarian to help your pets feel and look their best.
• Love Your Pet, Hate the Shedding?: Use a professional style grooming tool, such as the new FURminator deLuxe deShedding Tool, which is guaranteed to work better than any brush, rake or comb available. The deLuxe deShedding Tools reduce the amount of fur left on floors, couches and clothes by nearly 90 percent. They also feature a FURejector button, making it faster to clean and remove loose hair from the tool.
• Lessen Allergies & Sneezing: Create allergy-free areas for family members with pet allergies by restricting animals to certain rooms of your home and consider using allergen-resistant covers on mattresses and pillows. Regular grooming will also decrease the amount of airborne allergens and dander around the house.
• Pet Hair Removal: Upholstery is a pet hair magnet and removing fur can be tedious. Eliminate newly shed hair with a lint roller before fur works its way into fabric. If pets are allowed on the furniture, consider investing in furniture throws that can be laundered – this will keep your home looking and smelling better.
• Pet Crates: Pets prefer a clean, dry space to sleep in. A crate acts like their bedroom and provides a positive solution to house-training. Be sure to keep their “room” clean by washing blankets kept in the crate.
• Avoid the Outside Coming In: Keep a washable rug near the door your pet uses. Wipe off their paws so mud or dirt is not tracked onto floors. Consider using a bottle of the FURminator Waterless deShedding Shampoo & Conditioner to easily eliminate odor without bathing. Also, dispose of pet waste regularly to ensure it’s not being tracked into the house.

Got some good hairball tips? Share with us and help us celebrate National Hairball Awareness Day!