Home Remedies For Hairballs in Cats - The Safe and the Not So Safe

!±8± Home Remedies For Hairballs in Cats - The Safe and the Not So Safe

Usually harmless, hairballs that your cat brings up every once in a while consist of fur ingested by the animal when cleaning itself. Some hairballs cannot be dislodged by the cat which is the time it can cause problems. At this point, if non-responsive to standard treatment (usually by way of laxatives), the cat might need surgical intervention or it could possibly die.

Since hairballs are soft masses, they don't show up on x-rays so owners need to be aware of their pet's grooming habits. If you describe your cat as one that is always licking its coat and grooming itself, you should mention this to your veterinarian if the animal seems to be lethargic, losing weight and/or is disinterested in food.

Questionable Prevention of Hairballs

In his book Amazing Kitchen Cures, Joey Green claims that using a little Alberto VO5 conditioner in your cat's coat is a hairball prevention measure. He says the conditioner is safe because it's non-toxic and natural.

However, a March 2009 report regarding baby shampoos and children's bubble baths from big brand names like Johnson's, L'Oreal, Sesame Street, Huggies and Pampers, was cited in the news recently, saying that trace amounts of formaldehyde and other chemicals have been found in them. The cancer-causing toxins have not been separately added to the products (thus are not required to be listed as ingredients) but are by-products of chemical manufacturing and product development.

Although initial findings are not calling for product recall citing that the soaps are used quickly and then rinsed off children's skin and scalps, the same cannot be said for cats. If you put even a small amount of conditioner in a cat's coat, its grooming habits are such that the product will be ingested.

First Line of Defense Against Hairballs

The best thing you can do for your cat to prevent hairballs is to use a steel-toothed comb or a curry brush (one with rubber nubs) and comb her with it regularly. Simple, but there it is. Many cat owners find that the de-shedding tool called The Furminator ruins the animal's top coat (although dog owners tend to swear by it). Using a regular pet brush on your cat doesn't usually touch the undercoat, but can be add a nice finishing glossy touch to her fur.

If you have a kitten, this is the time to get her used to being groomed by you. If your cat doesn't appreciate grooming, a little at a time will help with periodic trips to a groomer whenever necessary. Grooming should always start with your hands, to feel for lumps, tangles or matted hair.

Holistic and Homeopathic Approaches to Hairball Prevention

Hairballs are comprised of a lot of fat in addition to your cat's fur. By adding a teaspoon of egg-based lecithin (not soy-based) to your cat's wet food twice a week, the fat is dissolved, allowing the hairball to pass through the intestinal tract.

Indoor-only cats should have access to "cat grass". This provides natural roughage to your pet's diet and seems have a mild laxative effect, which can help eliminate the fur that is ingested by your cat when grooming.

Slippery Elm Bark (a herb that turns slimy when you mix it with water) works by coating the digestive tract, again helping your cat to expel hair balls naturally. This is another preventive measure which you can give your cat twice a week. One way to prepare slippery elm bark is to mix 2 capsules with a tablespoon of boiling water. When it cools, add it to your cat's favorite wet food.

Food Supplements That Help Avoid or Get Rid of Hairballs

If your cat enjoys a pat of butter, you can treat her twice weekly with about a half teaspoon to help lubricate her digestive system. Soft bulk is another approach to help her pass hairballs, serving a teaspoon of pureed vegetable two times a week, like canned pumpkin (natural with no additives) or squash.

Pet Store Hairball Products

Petroleum-based laxatives that have been approved by the FDA for use in veterinary medicine include brand names like Drs. Foster and Smith Hairball Remedy, Felaxin, Kat-A-Lax, Lax'aire, Laxatone, to name a few. As with the homeopathic products and some of the foods, the vaseline basically coats both the hair in the cat's stomach and intestines, helping it to pass through the animal's gastrointestinal tract, and also lubricates the colon and stool itself.

In any of the laxatives, there can be a decrease in the body's ability to absorb fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, & K) especially when it is used frequently and on a long term basis. Speak to your vet about vitamin supplements if you are regularly providing your cat with any hairball prevention foods, herbs or products.

Home Remedies For Hairballs in Cats - The Safe and the Not So Safe

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Choosing the Right Diaper to Manage Bedwetting With Older Children, Adolescents and Teenagers Part 1

!±8± Choosing the Right Diaper to Manage Bedwetting With Older Children, Adolescents and Teenagers Part 1

One point I have repeatedly emphasized in my articles is that there is not one-size-fits-all solution to manage incontinence. This article talks about the various brands and types of cloth and disposable diapers available to manage bedwetting and is divided into three parts. There are many different factors involved in choosing an incontinence product. The key factors that play a part in the decision making process are the following: the type and level of incontinence, whether or not the person prefers to use disposable or reusable garments, how a particular garment effects the user's skin, ease of use which includes how easy and convenient it is to put on and take off (some people are non-ambulatory and need garments that are better suited for this issue), price, how comfortable the product is, whether the problems occurs during the day, night, or both, and how a particular product fits the user(which in turn has a bearing on how comfortable the product is and how effective it is at protecting both the individual and bed). Although these are important factors to keep in mind when purchasing incontinence products the two overriding criteria to consider are how effective the product is at keeping both the individual and the bed dry and how comfortable the product is.

As I talk about below and have mentioned in other articles, most people use garments that are underwear like in appearance. I have decided to take a different approach with this article. I've decided to focus on diapers, specifically pin-on cloth diapers covered with plastic pants and disposable tape tab diapers. The reason for this is twofold. In my readings on this subject I've noticed that these styles of diapers are given short shrift by the public including parents of bed-wetters, pediatricians who write about bed-wetting, and other professionals. The second reason for focusing on these types of garments is that many people feel that these styles offer superior protection for heavy incontinence such as bed-wetting. I point out the advantages of these types of products later on in this article. As a case in point, one parent who had a youngster who wet the bed was a heavy wetter and went through several pull-ups per night. The father could not afford to spend the money on the amount of pull-ups required and switched to pin-on diapers covered with plastic pants. The majority of the public have always had a negative opinion of diapers and I believe it's high time we take a more pragmatic approach to this issue and use the type of protection that is most effective at keeping both the bed and the youngster (or adult) dry. If that means using diapers (which in many cases are the best option), then diapers should be used.

When buying incontinence products it's important to be aware of the different terminology for incontinence products. For example the term disposable briefs refer to disposable diapers for older children, adolescents, teenagers, and adults. These garments have the same fit, design, and style as baby diapers-they have tapes, elastic leg gathers, some have elastic waist bands and either a plastic or cloth (also known as a non woven) outer cover. Regarding the outer cover there are manufacturers of disposable briefs who offer two models-one model has a plastic outer cover and the other has a cloth outer cover. Some manufacturers in turn only offer models with a plastic outer cover. It's also important to remember the terms used for different types of incontinence. This helps you in choosing what type of product to buy. In the case of bed-wetting the clinical term for this form of incontinence is "nocturnal enuresis". I have also heard people refer to bed-wetting as just "enuresis. " So if you're on a website that sells incontinence products and it says that a particular product is suitable for "nocturnal enuresis" or "enuresis" you'll know that the product is suitable for bed-wetting.

The most widely used type of disposable garments to deal with bed-wetting are "Goodnites" which are designed for older children, adolescents, and teenagers with bed-wetting problems and Huggies "pull-ups" which are designed for both children who are being potty trained and bed-wetters. The reason for introducing these products into the market place is that they look and fit just like regular underwear which is supposed to be less stigmatizing for an older child or teenager. The same type of design is used in reusable products as well. While it is true that these products work for some people, most people seem to feel that diapers are the better choice to manage heavy incontinence such as bed-wetting. However because of the stigma surrounding diapers, most older children, adolescents, and teenagers are reluctant to wear them. The majority of the public feel that diapers should only be used for babies. I feel that the following quote from "Diapers Get a Bum Wrap" (which is the second chapter of The New Diaper Primer, a very good resource) sums up the current thinking about this subject perfectly: "This infantile image keeps many, if not most, incontinent children and adults out of diapers and struggling with leaks, wet beds, and so on. We can still cringe to hear the oft-told story of a bed-wetting youngster and the mounds of laundry daily with sheets, blankets, pajamas, not to mention the emotional stress and loss of sleep from interruptions during the night. But if we were to suggest it might be much easier on everyone if the youngster wore diapers to bed, the reply would be an astonished and/or indignant stare while maintaining that the youngster is too old to be wearing diapers. Again, that unshakable stigma!"

Many individuals buy pin-on cloth diapers to manage their bed-wetting and when using these diapers it's necessary to buy waterproof pants to cover the diapers. This brings me to another term which you should be familiar with. Years ago waterproof pants were made of rubber and these were the diaper covers used by parents for their babies, then after the advent of plastic pants (which I believe was in the 50's), rubber pants became less popular. Later on rubber pants were phased out completely for the baby market although there are some companies that manufacture rubber pants for older children and adults. The term "rubber pants" began to be used as a generic term for waterproof pants, particularly vinyl pants (which in turn are more widely known as plastic pants-vinyl is a type of plastic so the terms are basically interchangeable). When most people use the term "rubber pants" they actually mean plastic pants. The same type of terminology is used by some people when referring to waterproof sheets-some people use the term "rubber sheets" as a generic term for waterproof sheets, although this usage seems to be more common when talking about waterproof pants.

Some people who have heavy incontinence during the day and night use both reusable and disposable garments. For example one individual mentioned that he used disposable diapers during the day and pin-on diapers wrapped with plastic pants at night. Another person with bed-wetting problems said he used pin-on diapers and plastic pants during the cooler times of the year and disposable diapers when the weather becomes hot.

A number of people with bed-wetting swear by both disposable briefs and pin-on diapers covered with plastic pants. These garments are particularly suited for heavy incontinence such as bed-wetting. In a situation like this it's a good idea to experiment with different products in order to find the one that works best for you. Right now I'd like to talk a little more about pin-on diapers. The drawback of pin-on diapers and plastic pants is that some people find that they are uncomfortable to wear in hot weather. That being said, not everybody feels this way, in addition some cloth diapers (in particular those made from gauze fabric) are supposed to be very comfortable to wear in hot weather.

Choosing the Right Diaper to Manage Bedwetting With Older Children, Adolescents and Teenagers Part 1

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