Hairy Situations

    Also on the market are a variety of new hairball-preventative foods. Most are higher in fiber than most cat foods. Just like when we humans get a little "blocked," fiber helps digestion. Too much fiber can been a little rough on the system too! And just as with the medications, too much will cause vitamin/mineral deficiencies. An increase in water consumption might also be noticed, since the fiber will require more liquid for it to break down.

    So, do they work? I haven't tried all of them, but I did try one - Purina's Special Care: Hairball Control. I figured the cats wouldn't be very interested (maybe not Van - he'll eat anything not out of reach). I was very wrong. They preferred the taste of it to their regular food (they don't eat anything else but this one kind). Neither cat has had a real problem with hairballs - only two or three times a month or so. But since they started on the treatment (3-4 months ago), they haven't had a single hairball. That impressed me. Now I give it to them as a treat 2 times per week.

    There are many foods and treatments on the market. None of them should be a substitute for a good grooming routine. If you want to know more about shedding and more, read: All that cat hair!

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