Why do cats cough up hairballs?

Dear Cat Lovers.

We always ask the question why do cats cough up hairballs? We often sit there helpless as we watch our beloved pet retching as they try to bring up the hairball. New cat owners despair because they are unaware that this is a common problem for cats.

I have 2 beautiful tabby cats Taffeta and Pipsqueak. I have often seen them cough up hairballs and remember the first time I ever saw a cat bring up a hairball I was worried sick and took them to the vet thinking something was seriously wrong with my cat.

The problem is caused because cats spend a large amount of there time grooming themselves, unlike dogs who have to be bathed. Because they groom themselves using their tounge they tend to swallow a lot of fur which is not always digestable.

My 2 cats Taffeta and Pipsqueak often sit side by side grooming each other before curling up like a couple of bookends and falling fast asleep.

This problem can be prevented, or at least helped. You can brush your cat daily this strengthens the bond between the cat and yourself and most cats love the attention and will lie their quite happily and let you brush them.

I quite often brush Taffeta with a special brush to clear off any loose fur. It is supprising how much fur comes off even after only a day since you lasted brushed your cat. Pipsqueak on the other hand we not stay still long enough for me to be able to brush him.

For the cats that do not like to be brushed there is special cat food that you can buy that helps to prevent the build up of hair in the stomach.

With my cat Pipsqueak I have just got use to the hairballs they only happen about 1-4 times a month. I tend to know when he is suffering from hairballs because he will delibrately eat something like a leaf of a plant or something else that will make him retch and bring up the hairball.

Cats are very loving pets and they are very sensative as well. In fact I love my cats so much that I have created some merchandise with images of my cats on.

I have other information on cats there is one about cat behavior and toilet training for cats also some useful information on saving money on vet bills which we can all use in the current climate.

Thank you for reading this and I hope I have shed some light on Why Do Cats Cough Up Hairballs?