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When the cat licks and inevitably ingests his own fur, knots of hair gradually build up in the cat's stomach. Once a ball of hair forms it stays trapped in the stomach. These hairballs can grow bigger as more hair tangles up with it. Finally the hairball gets coughed up - (usually on your favorite couch or carpet).

Some cats have no problems with hairballs, but for other cats – especially longhair cats - hairballs can be an annoying fact of life. Occasional hairball episodes (a few times a month) are considered very normal for most house cats and usually hairball prevention is the best treatment.

A daily ritual of gently brushing out your cat's loose fur is the best remedy. The less loose cat fur on your cat, the less fur ends up in his stomach. It is EXTREMELY important during heavy shedding seasons. A daily brushing habit established early in a cat's life will be looked upon by the kitten AND YOU as a wonderful ritual spent between the two of you.

Although it is possible and even probable, starting a daily grooming session later in life can pose it's own challenges. Start your grooming ritual when your cat is still a kitten.

If daily brushings aren't keeping the hairballs to a minimum, then other treatments can include petroleum-based laxative preparations such as Laxatone. Smear laxatone on your cat's chin so that he’ll lick it off.

This won’t prevent new hairballs from forming, but it should bring up any stubborn hairballs that kitty has been unsuccessfully gagging on. Another remedy to try might be a cat food that contains a hairball control component like: