Is it true that if you keep a long haired cat indoors, you should keep grass so that it can eat it in order to puke up its fur balls? Someone told me this and I'm not sure if I believe them.
2006-11-18 07:20:45 · 25 answers · asked by pinkyminx 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
lol no that is not true. Cats can rbing their furballs up just fine if they are indoor cats (I am an owner of 2 indoor cats and 2 dogs) my cats bring a hairball up every 8 months or so and that is normal. some cats brin them up more often some cats rarely bring them up at all. I have never had to give my cat anything to help them get the hairball out, but in saying that pet stores sell a multitude of potions that claim to help ease the hairbal up.
I have never used any of these products nor do I know anyone who has.
If anything the grass is good for certain types of nutrients. I have heard of people growing special cat grasses to aide digestion and things like that but never for a hairball.
2006-11-18 23:31:06 · answer #1 · answered by greenhorse8179 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that any cat lover thinks a cat is a fluffy toy!I have had both indoor and outdoor cats, and agree that most cats love to be outside. We do want our cats to be safe though, which is why I have enclosed a large part of my garden so that they have access to trees, grass and sand. Not all cat owners are able to do this though, and because they love their cats, and there are dangers out in the big bad world, are forced to keep them indoors at all times. When I lived in an apartment, I had a cat who was strictly an indoor cat, and he was very happy. I also had outdoor cats for many years, and frequently lost one through car accidents, fights, etc. and I live in a SAFE area! Many people would be very lonely without their indoor cats, and many of those cats would never have found a home if they had had to wait for someone with a yard! I do not think that anyone who is able to give their cat an outdoor life SAFELY would simply keep them inside for selfish reasons. For you to suggest that you know what is best for everyone and their cats, is, quite honestly, rather arrogant of you.
2016-05-22 01:17:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best thing you can do to prevent fur balls (long OR short haired cats), is to use Petromalt on a routine basis, & be sure to groom your kitty--even more when long haired. I have NEVER used indoor grass, had both long & shorthaired, & everything has been fine. They were also indoor cats, in which I believe is best 100%. I honestly doubt catnip would help to "digest" the hair they've gotten in their tummys--they mostly roll around in it, hardly ever EAT it, & even then, unless we grow it, it's dried & couldn't possibly help. Just routinely comb or brush, & use the fur ball treatment. It's possible for cats to get fur balls in their intestines that they CAN'T barf up, if you don't do anything to prevent that potential. Hope you get lots of good answers, & I'm glad you asked.
2006-11-18 08:02:58 · answer #3 · answered by Psychic Cat 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a good idea to provide grass for any indoors only cat. You can buy trays of 'kitty grass' from most good petshops. Regular brushing and combing will help your cat. I have 12 cats, including one long haired one and they get groomed daily with a slicker brush, a zoom groom (for the short haired ones) and a steel comb. They love it and try to push in when I start combing. None of mine have ever had a fur ball.
2006-11-18 23:03:49 · answer #4 · answered by fenlandfowl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would recommend some grass but not just some that u picked from the park, some that is actually growing and alive. i don't know if it helps with that fur balls but it helps flush that of anything that may be bad for them. so i would buy 2 very shallow pots with some soil and plant some grass seeds and once the grass is long enough - over a inch - then let them have them. they might dig in the soil and maybe poop so that is why i recommend 2 so you can alternate between pots every week or so. Good luck :)
2006-11-18 07:56:13 · answer #5 · answered by Poppy J 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are special kinds of cat grasses that most pet stores sell. They are more to help your cats digestion and for some reason they just love chewing on it too. The best way to keep the hair balls away is just to brush your long haired kitty daily. It won't completely eliminate the hairballs floating around the house, but it will help.
2006-11-18 07:24:32 · answer #6 · answered by Heather P 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
You should groom your cat periodically whether it's a short hair or long hair.
You can buy cat food that will help your cat pass fur thorugh it's intestinal tract. You can also buy tubes of a product that lubricates as well.
It isn't necessary to keep grass for a long haired cat in your house, but all cats, as well as dogs will eat it. Catnip will work too.
2006-11-18 07:32:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think the grass more or less tickles their throat causing them to vomit which could help with hairballs, but you're better off just buying a tube of hairball treatment which is relatively inexpensive. You can purchase these products even in walmart. Also, you some cat food like Iams brand has a hairball formula cat food. It can be more expensive than regular food, but it works. Hope this helps!
2006-11-18 07:46:27 · answer #8 · answered by LIZD68 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You shouldn't keep a cat indoors because it is cruel and unnatural. It is VITAL that cats have access to grass because grass contains nutrients lacking in a cats diet. Cats hate eating grass and are frequently sick afterwards, but they instinctively do it because they know they have to. So please let your cat out. A cat is not a cuddly toy or a fashion accessory - it is a guest in your house who should be treated with respect. It is shocking you don't even know about a cat's requirement for grass.
2006-11-18 08:17:54 · answer #9 · answered by david f 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Our long haired and short puke up hair balls just fine without any grass
2006-11-18 07:30:31 · answer #10 · answered by norsmen 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋