Cat’s fur needs special care not merely for aesthetic reasons. The condition of your cat’s fur influences his general health condition. Hair knots are particularly dangerous because, if neglected, they are difficult to remove and can contribute to different skin diseases. It’s important for all cat owners to understand how hair knots are formed and how to remove them.
How Do Cat’s Knots Occur?
Cats lose their hair on a daily basis. Persian cats have, roughly, two layers of fur: puffy hair close to the skin and a layer of longer hair. The puffy fur doesn’t easily go away and, if not brushed regularly, it gets stuck between the two layers causing continuous knotting. After only a very short period of time, the knot develops in a tight hairball which is very difficult to brush, and will usually have to be cut off.
Hairballs gather dust and dirt and can cause a lot of discomfort for a cat. If the cat is left alone to handle his hairballs, he will be swallowing bigger amounts of fur than his stomach can take. As a consequence, your cat can start vomiting, lose appetite, and even develop inflammatory bowel disease.
Unattended hairballs and knots contribute to the development of cat’s depression, as well as skin and coat conditions – chronic irritation, various infections, and bruises that are very difficult to heal.
Remove Cat’s Hairballs and Knots
The problem of hairballs that have already formed in cat’s fur can be solved by proper brushing. In order to brush your cat’s hairballs, you’ll need two kinds of brushes: a wide-teeth wipe and a metallic one. The former will help you dissolve and, partially, remove tightly knotted hairballs without causing any pain or discomfort to your cat. The latter, used subsequently, will remove excess of loose puffy hair and decrease the possibility of reoccurance the next day. Once brushing is over, make sure to polish your cat’s fur all over his body with the help of a clean, cotton, or woolen cloth.
Prevent Cat’s Hairballs and Knots
For a number of medical reasons, hairballs should be prevented rather than treated all the time. There are a few things you can do for your cat’s well being:
- Groom your cat regularly – daily brushing, monthly washing, and close observation of your cat’s fur condition can help you avoid getting knotted bundles of hair all over your cat’s body.
- Buy special cat food – there are foods available in pet shops which prevent or minimalize the occurrence of hairballs. You should consult your cat’s vet about the any recommendations. There are also foods which can help your cat get rid of the excess of hair he swallows.
Make sure to tend to your cat’s fur regularly as, in this way, you will be able to prevent your pet from many long-lasting discomforts and illnesses.
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