National Hairball Awareness Day

National Hairball Awareness Day is an annual American holiday dedicated to hairballs. It is a natural part of some animals (cats and rabbits, primarily). When the body is functioning normally, hairballs are free to leave the body through the intestines. If this is not the case, you need to worry and visit the veterinarian. The holiday is celebrated on the last Friday of April.

History

The story of National Hairball Awareness Day is devoid of details. Hairballs are the result of animals licking their fur. The tongue adheres to the thinning and fallen off hairs, which form into a lump in the stomach. If there is nothing wrong with the animal’s digestive system, it will come out on its own. As a last resort, if there is a large accumulation of hair in the stomach, the pet can remove it with the help of the gag reflex.

If the natural digestive processes are disrupted, further accumulation of hair in the stomach can lead to intestinal obstruction. In this case, urgent help from the veterinarian will be required to avoid negative consequences.

Interesting facts

• Cats were domesticated more than 7,000,000 years ago in the Middle East. The ancient Egyptians considered them sacred animals.
• The best way to clean the cat’s stomach of hair is to let her walk on ordinary green grass. She will accept it as food, after which the gag reflex will increase and mucus will be produced, making it easier to remove the hair clump.

How to celebrate

Keep an eye on the cat that day. If there are problems, you’d better go to the vet. A great indication of excess hair is when it’s in the mouth, as hairs often get stuck in the teeth.

Spread the word about the holiday on social media. Ask users if their pets have problems with hairballs?

When is National Hairball Awareness Day celebrated in 2024?

National Hairball Awareness Day is observed on the last Friday in April.

Observations