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One of the wonderful things we all love about cats is their soft, delicate fur. When they ingest dead, loose hairs in the process of grooming, what usually happens is that they pass through the digestive system without any problems. However, if too much hair builds up in the stomach, it causes irritation of the stomach lining, and this when a furball will be produced.

Fur balls can be a recurrent problem for cats, particularly those from long-haired breeds. It is an unpleasant experience for cats, and symptoms generally include vomiting, unproductive retching, constipation and a loss of appetite. This article looks at how cats suffering from fur balls can be treated, and what can be done to prevent them becoming a problem.

Sometimes cats who suffer from furballs may eat grass and garden plants to try and medicate themselves. Grass causes them to vomit, which may also bring up the fur ball as well. Thus, if you see your cat eating grass, this may be an early indication that they are suffering from fur balls.

One thing owners can do to help prevent fur balls is regular combing of their cat's hair. This will get rid of much of the dead hair before it can be ingested. Fine-toothed combs are best for short haired cats, while wide-toothed combs tend to be more suitable for long haired cats. It's not advisable to use brushes, because they are much less effective at getting all the loose hair out.

One of the traditional remedies for furballs is petroleum jelly. A small amount is applied to a cat's paw, so the cat can lick it up. The molecules of petroleum jelly are too large to be absorbed, so they retain their form and act as a lubricant to help the ingested hair through the cat's digestive system and out in the normal way.

There are varieties of petroleum jelly in different flavours (such as tuna) which are designed especially for cats. These will make the jelly more palatable to cats, so are a good option if your cat shows reluctance towards this treatment.

Another common treatment for the condition is natural herb tablets. These tablets are a mixture of herbs including valerian root, dandelion root, and senna leaf, powdered and pressed into tablet form. It works as a gentle laxative, so it is generally given for the relief of constipation or to help treat cats suffering from furballing.

It is recommended that cats who are experiencing noticeable discomfort because of furballs are given one of these tablets daily. In addition, it is also a good idea to give cats who are prone to fur balls one tablet a day during their moulting period. The one caveat to bear in mind when giving herbal treatments such as these is that they are not suitable for pregnant or lactating females.

Once cats get rid of their furballs, they normally recover quickly, and are soon back to normal. However, it is important to be aware that your cat may be suffering from dehydration because of the vomiting, and may need a special diet for a few days.

Just like how we suffer from hair loss, dogs too have this problem! Hair loss in the course of shedding is usual for dogs. For example, German shepherds and Bernese mountain dogs will shed more hair than wheaten terriers and a few types of Spaniels. Also, all the dogs will shed more during the longer days beginning in the summer than they will during the shorter days starting in the winter. This is due to the seasonal shedding rotations related to variations in light. However, when extreme shedding occurs, especially to the point of baldness, dog hair loss can be a signal of deeper issues.

Symptoms of Dog Hair Loss

Hair loss in dogs is more often than not accompanied by other symptoms like itching and skin irritation. A dog's hair loss indication can be the effect of numerous medical problems including mange, mites, ticks or dermatitis. Home remedies for treating dog hair loss are safe to try to provide momentary relief, but a definite opinion of the reasons should be taken from a vet. Mentioned below are some of the home remedies you can try to get rid of the problem of hair shedding.

Tips of Home Remedies for Dog Hair Loss

1. One of the best ways to reduce excessive shedding in dogs is to start with a healthy diet. Feed your dog with a homemade mix of fully-cooked rice, cooked vegetables and boiled chicken. This home food remedy may reduce the allergies caused by food to your dog and helps in reducing the hair fall.

2. Goldenseal is an excellent natural treatment for dog hair loss as long as it is not overdone. Make a weak mixture of goldenseal tea and apply it to the affected area. Goldenseal is powerful, so be sure not to make the tea too strong.

3. Another home remedy for hair shedding in dogs is to mix a small amount of flaxseed oil in your dog's food. Flaxseed oil contains high amounts of Omega 3, an excellent natural treatment for dog hair loss. After a few weeks you would see the change in your dog's hair fall. It is good for other health benefits too.

4. Olive oil is a good home remedy to apply on dog's coat and skin. It will help moisturize as well as pacify any pain caused by severe itching. Another benefit of olive oil is that it will choke mites, if those fleas are the cause of dog's hair loss. Olive oil is said to give the dog a fine and healthy coat with an amazing shine.

5. Lemon juice has natural antibacterial properties that can be used to treat excessive hair shedding in dogs. Introduce a slice of lemon in warm water and leave for five hours. Strain afterward and apply the lemon juice mixture as a rinse or as a spot treatment.

6. An additional home remedy to follow is to pat your dog in the backyard after the bath and then brush him down. By this way, all the unwanted hair on the dog's coat is removed. Regular baths encourage loose hair to fall out in the tub (or outside) instead of on your furniture. However over-bathing can cause dry skin, which causes fur to fall out.