Dogs are our loyal and loving companions, and when they suffer from an issue like hairballs, it can be worrying. Hairballs are a common issue in dogs, with long-haired breeds particularly prone to them. It’s important to know how to spot the signs of hairballs and how to safely get rid of them. In this blog post, we’ll look at the best ways to get rid of hairballs in dogs. We’ll look at the symptoms of a hairball, how to prevent them, and the best techniques to use if you need to remove a hairball. With the right approach and care, you can help your dog stay healthy and comfortable.
Managing Hairballs in Dogs
It’s crucial to determine which of the numerous potential causes of your dog’s hairballs is to blame for the condition. For instance, your dog will require treatment for the irritation if the cause of the hairball is skin irritation. It can already receive treatment for the hairball in its gut at the same time. The following are the most popular ways to treat dog hairballs.
When a dog struggles to vomit a hairball, it frequently indicates that it needs professional assistance. If your dog exhibits clear signs of distress or pain, it is true. Your dog might need surgery to have the hairball removed if they have a complete intestinal obstruction. Only if you take your pet to the veterinarian is this possible.
Your veterinarian may prescribe a suitable laxative if the obstruction is only partial. These are drugs that can make the stool softer so that the dog’s digestive tract can handle them much more easily. Additionally, supplements may be given to lubricate the hairball so it can pass through the digestive tract.
You can also use a natural hairball remedy for dogs. Olive oil administration in the pet’s food is one of the most widely used treatments for pet hairballs. This aims to lubricate both the hairball and the gut more. This makes it slick and speeds up the hairball’s passage through the digestive tract. Keep in mind that only hairballs that cause a mild to moderate obstruction will benefit from this. Surgery is the only option if the issue is total obstruction.
You can supplement your pet’s diet with fish oil if you don’t like olive oil. It operates on the same tenet as feeding your dog food with olive oil. Giving your pet canned pumpkin can also be helpful because it can aid in hairball breakdown. This makes passing the hairball through the dog’s digestive tract simpler.
Hairballs in Dogs
Let’s first clarify what a hairball is before discussing the best homemade hairball treatment for your pet.
As the name suggests, a hairball is an accumulation of hair follicles in the dog’s intestines. Due to the tubular anatomy of the gut, it isn’t a ball per se. As such, it is more cylindrical in shape.
Because the dog’s ingested hair follicles do not pass through its digestive tract and exit as stools, hairballs develop. They build up and become harder with time to create a solid mass of fur. Various symptoms, including partial or complete blockage of the intestines, may result from this.
It makes sense that the dog would try to get rid of the hairball clogging its intestines. Because of this, it sometimes makes an awful retching noise that many pet owners refer to as the “dog hairball sound.” Through its mouth and esophagus, the dog will attempt to vomit the hairball out. Since this also involves vomiting some of the contents of the stomach, it can be painful most of the time. In comparison to the linings of the stomach and intestines, the esophagus’ inner wall is thinner. This makes it extremely vulnerable to irritation from the stomach’s acidic contents.
If the dog does not vomit the hairball, it may enlarge. Diarrhea may result from a partial obstruction in the dog’s digestive tract. This happens as a result of the partially obstructed gut allowing only some of the fecal matter to pass through. Only the liquid portion of the stool passes through the rectum, causing the stool to be watery. If there is complete obstruction, this can lead to constipation. The obstruction in the dog’s digestive tract prevents successful feces movement.
If the dog has either diarrhea or constipation, everyone is aware of what will happen. It might stop eating for a few days if its appetite wanes. In the event that this keeps happening, your dog might become malnourished.
Possible Causes of Hairballs in Dogs
Now that we are clear on what canine hairballs are, let’s examine the causes of this condition. The potential causes of dog hairballs are listed below.
Dogs also groom themselves, although not as frequent as cats. When they do, they lick their coats of dust, debris, and pet hair. This can turn into hairballs. This is frequently observed in dogs with long coats and breeds that shed a lot. The health of their digestive system affects how frequently they develop hairballs. The fur strands can relatively easily pass through the gut if it is operating normally. However, if there are too many hair strands in the gut, it is still possible for hairballs to form.
Hair loss in the affected area is almost always a result of dry, irritated skin. In an effort to calm the irritation, the dog will try to lick or bite on the affected skin. Unfortunately, the dog may also ingest some of the loose hair by doing this. A flea or tick infestation may manifest as skin irritation. Bacterial and fungal infections can also bring about skin irritation. Skin irritation and itchiness can also be caused by allergic reactions and food allergies.
It’s possible that the dog will experience more severe hair loss if it doesn’t receive enough nutrients to strengthen its fur. When self-grooming, this may cause hairballs to form more quickly. Omega-3 fatty acids and proteins are two of the most critical nutrients for healthy hair. You can anticipate that the dog will experience more severe hair loss if it is not receiving the proper amounts of these nutrients.
Some dogs indulge in their predatory tendencies by consuming small prey animals like rodents. It’s possible that the hair that gathers inside their stomach as a ball is not their own hair. These could be the prey’s hair that they gorge on.
Hairballs in puppies are frequently a result of their nursing activities. This is accurate if the mother dog has an overabundance of hair on its nipples. Due to this, breeders frequently trim the mother dog’s belly.
Dogs who experience behavioral problems like boredom or anxiety may chew or nibble at their fur. This could make it more likely that your dog will consume extra hair.
FAQ
How do you get rid of a hairball in a dog’s throat?
Dog hairballs are typically treatable at home. If you think your dog might have hairballs, you can help him get rid of them by giving him petroleum jelly, canned pumpkin, and lots of water.
What do you give a dog with hairballs?
Oatmeal baths might also help moisturize the skin. A short-term or long-term high-fiber diet may aid in the movement of hairballs. Consult your veterinarian to determine whether high-fiber dog food, fiber supplements, or vegetables like green beans should be part of your dog’s diet.
How do you get rid of hairballs naturally?
- Brushing/Hair Removal. The simplest way to lessen hairballs on your cat is to brush it more frequently.
- Digestive Aids & Fiber. Digestive enzymes can significantly lessen hairballs by being added to your cat’s food.
- Fish Oil.
Do dogs hack up hairballs?
You can hear that awful sound that almost sounds like a goose honking when a dog has a hairball, and it’s almost always followed by a loud coughing sound, so yes, even dogs get hairballs. Dogs frequently guffaw to get rid of anything that is bothering their throat.