National Hairball Awareness Day falls on April 30th. Never heard of it? Wondering why we even need a day dedicated to hairballs? In this post, we’ll explain all…
Why have a National Hairball Awareness Day?
National Hairball Awareness Day was launched back in 2006 by the National Museum of Health & Medicine in the USA. For cats and their owners, hairballs are pretty common – a natural result of a cat grooming itself and not usually a cause for concern. But sometimes, if not passed properly, hairballs can cause internal blockages. These blockages can lead to serious and, at times, life-threatening medical issues. National Hairball Awareness Day aims to spread the word about the dangers.
According to a 2021 study by the PSDA, the domestic feline population is estimated to be around 10.7 million. That’s a LOT of hairballs.
Tips for preventing hairballs
- Proper and regular grooming is one of the best ways to keep hairballs at bay. Not to mention there’ll be less hair moulting around the home. Your cat will thank you for the attention, too!
- Our YuMOVE Moulting Cat formula reduces your cat’s tendency to overgroom, and works to promote a healthy coat and skin.
- While it won’t stop hairballs from forming altogether, cat food that’s high in fibre can help prevent them getting stuck in the digestive tract.
When to seek medical advice
If your feline is experiencing any of the below, it’s time to call the vet…
- Repeated retching that’s not bringing anything up
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Appetite loss
- Fatigue
YuMOVE is on a mission to help pets live their best, healthiest lives. Find out how we can help yours with everything from anxiety to joint stiffness with our range of cat supplements.
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