The Way of Cats

It is perhaps the least appealing part of cat care. Hairballs, at least, are usually announced beforehand, and we can try to direct the cat to some surface that can handle it better. Just be very cautious moving the cat under such stress. It’s often better to grab a tissue or paper towel and try to put it under the cat’s chin.

more cat pictures

Hairballs are the cat’s way of getting rid of the hair that is an inevitable part of their self grooming process. We can help the cat by sticking to our grooming routine, and offering two natural substances the cat seeks out for management help.

The first substance is what the cat will find in the wild. Grasses are a small but important part of the cat’s digestive system, and most cats love being offered pots of oats, rye, catnip, or such herbs as thyme, sage, or parsley. When cats have their own plants to eat, they are more likely to leave ours alone.

It’s this same instinct that drives them to our houseplants in the first place. Divert the need, and they will learn “mine” and “yours.” It’s best to make sure houseplants are safe, anyway, so here’s a handy list of non-toxic plants.

There’s also a malt syrup/mineral oil combination that makes the fur pass through the cat’s digestive system. Easier for everyone! I have not had any luck with the high fiber treats that are supposed to help, since my cats refuse to eat them. I think the high fat option is probably better for an animal who is a carnivore, since they do not need very much in the way of fiber.

Mr. Bond has a sensitive stomach, and I had to change his diet to a more meat based food. Before we got him straightened out, with Mr. Bond as nervous as an ingenue on opening night, I too often heard, “Honey, did we put away the augh-augh-augh!”

Which meant he had stepped on it.

Mr. Bond does not like to cause distress. On his own, he came up with fishing a dirty sock out of the hamper and putting it across the offending object.

So now what I heard was, “Hey, what’s this sock doing augh-augh-augh!”

Which meant Dear Husband had tried to pick up the sock.

Cats can also throw up from stress. Undigested food will have a different look, and needs to be addressed if it continues. But hairballs look the way they sound, and should not cause alarm.

A bottle of rug cleaner should be handy, and then our house is as fresh as anyone’s. A combination of a small amount of dishsoap with two parts water to one part vinegar works well and can be made up beforehand.

If something has lain unnoticed behind a chair long enough to dry up, a wet paper towel draped over it, and let to sit for a few hours, will let the carpet release all the problems.

Hairballs aren’t any fun, for us or the cat. We should try to make the problem “come up” as little as possible.

Apology for pun.

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There’s more ways to care for our cat with The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See all of my posts on CAT CARE.