Content
- Cat malt: what is it?
- Cat malt: what is it for?
- Cat malt: how to use it?
- Cat malt: when should I give it?
- brush cat hair
- cats and malt
Cats are especially clean animals that spend hours cleaning their fur. When they lick themselves, they ingest a lot of hair. If you live with a cat, you've certainly seen it cough and even vomit fur balls. That's where some people turn to cat malt, a very useful product of natural origin, which improves our cat's digestion and intestinal transit.
understand in Animal Expert all about the cat malt, including the doses needed, at what age it should be offered, information about vomiting caused by ingesting hair, and all the benefits of the product.
Cat malt: what is it?
Cat malt is a colored paste. honey-like and denser texture. It is mainly composed of vegetable oils and fats, malt extract, fiber, dairy products and yeast. It is also common to contain dyes, preservatives and vitamins.
There are numerous brands on the market with different formats. The most common is found in the form of a tube of toothpaste. The composition varies slightly depending on the brand, but the base is malt extract. Some cats show a predilection for a particular brand and eat it more enthusiastically than others.
Cat malt: what is it for?
Cats, in their daily care, ingest numerous dead hairs, which progress through their digestive system and can form larger or smaller balls. They are called trichobezoars, popularly known as fur balls.
The cat's tongue, as we can see in the picture, has some thorns or keratin projections called papillae, which help to brush the hairs and eliminate dirt, but also contribute to loosening the weak hairs and, consequently, the ingestion of these hairs.
Cat hairballs can accumulate in the intestine, stomach, or esophagus. If the cat coughs and expels the ball easily, it means it hasn't passed the esophagus. If, instead, the cough is accompanied by nausea, poor appetite, and vomiting from half-digested food, the hairball is lodged in the stomach or small intestine. If the cat suffers from constipation and lack of appetite, it could be due to a hairball lodged in the large intestine.
O malt helps to eliminate, through feces, this excess of ingested hair. It has a laxative effect and helps improve intestinal transit, which is why it is also suitable for mild constipation problems. In short, malt helps the cat's ingested hairs to be expelled smoothly from the entire digestive system.
Cat malt: how to use it?
As you well know, each cat has its own personality. Some love the malt, eat it straight from the package and lick it off without a hitch. Others, in turn, are more reluctant and will not eat the cat malt paste.
In this case, we can put a small amount of malt in a paw or in the corner of the mouth of the cat for him to lick, he won't like it very much and will try to get it out with his licks. You can also try mixing the malt with the food, however, due to the texture of the dough, this may not be the best option.
You may have to chase your cat around the house every time you give him malt, but that's something he'll be grateful for over time and you'll see the results right away. Malt doesn't taste bad for cats, so he'll get used to taking it over time. You can also try different brands to find the ideal one for your cat.
Know more: Persian cat hair care
Cat malt: when should I give it?
for each dose a ball the size of an almond or hazelnut is enough. If your cat likes it, you can give it a little more.
For a short-haired cat, two doses a week that's enough. For cats with long hair, four times a week is sufficient. In times of hair change or if you notice that the cat is coughing a lot, you can offer the malt daily, until you notice the improvement.
brush cat hair
don't forget that good brushing is essential for the cat's health, as it eliminates the weakest hairs, dust and dirt that the cat can swallow when licking itself. You should choose the appropriate cat hair brush and brush frequently.
In short-haired cats, one or two brushings a week is sufficient, but for long-haired cats, brushing is ideal daily. Discover brushes for short-haired cats and also brushes for long-haired cats.
If you can't brush every day, make sure you brush it correctly. at least once or twice a week. In addition to strengthening the bond with your cat, you'll help ensure that its fur stays healthy and that the amount of hair ingested is considerably less.
Don't forget that in the spring and fall seasons for changing your fur, you should brush your hair much more often.
cats and malt
As we have seen, the malt is a very useful product for cats. Combined with good brushing, it will help your cat get along much better with fur balls.
Sometimes, obstructions caused by hairballs can become a problem. If the balls come with blood or the cat is suffering from prolonged constipation, see a veterinarian immediately.
Don't forget that cats lick themselves a lot! Every day they invest time in grooming and caring for their coat. That's why we shouldn't be afraid if, despite giving them malt and brushing, they occasionally cough and expel the ingested fur. It's normal, and as long as it's not over the top, there's no need to worry.
Learn more about: 10 breeds of longhaired cats
