All cats lick their fur. During this natural procedure for animals, some of the hair enters the gastrointestinal tract. Sometimes this causes intestinal obstruction and other serious problems, the solution of which requires the intervention of a veterinarian. A special product, Malt-paste, helps prevent such problems in long-haired and short-haired cats. It helps to get rid of hair naturally, promotes its release along with feces, without causing disturbance to the animal.
The Danger of Hairballs in a Cat's Stomach
Trichobezoars are the scientific name for hairballs that form inside a pet’s stomach or intestines. Their appearance is considered a natural process that occurs as a result of frequent washing.
Symptoms of blockage
The structure of the barbel tongue is similar to a grater due to the bristles on the surface. Because of this, hairs collect on the tongue, some of which the pet spits out. The hairs remaining in the mouth descend down the esophagus into the stomach. There they linger and gradually begin to accumulate, forming a dense clot.
Normally, it should be eliminated naturally during a bowel movement, but sometimes the trichobezoar causes a blockage. This is a health hazard that can lead to serious illnesses. Symptoms of blockage:
- lack of appetite;
- lethargic state;
- heat;
- cough with regurgitation of hairs;
- excessive salivation;
- constipation;
- constant vomiting;
- bloated stomach;
- pain when feeling the abdomen.
Difficulties with breeding trichobezoars accompany the lives of not only long-haired cats. Short-coated felines are also susceptible to developing hair clots inside the stomach. However, due to natural features, this process occurs slowly in them, which means the risk of complications in the form of blockage is significantly reduced.
Constant vomiting
One of the symptoms of a hairball is constant vomiting. As a result of frequent gastric emptying, the cat is deprived of a large number of useful elements necessary for its normal functioning.
The mustache is rapidly losing weight and may become dangerously dehydrated. If you do not take measures to eliminate the problem, the health and even the life of your pet will be at risk.
How dangerous are trichobezoars for an animal?
Trichobezoars are a common phenomenon for representatives of the cat family, usually not causing them any discomfort and not dangerous to their health. However, in some cases, the formation of impressive bezoars in the pet’s stomach is dangerous. Hairballs, clogging the digestive tract, can cause obstruction. This is an extremely dangerous condition that can result in the death of the animal.
Gradually increasing in size, over time, the hairball becomes too bulky to squeeze through the narrow openings of the pathways that lead from the stomach to the intestinal tract. It is rare, but it still happens that a hairball gets into the small intestine and clogs it. The result of untimely adoption of measures to solve this problem will be the death of the pet.
What is malt paste
It is better to purchase the product in specialized pharmacies or pet stores. Before use, it is important to read the instructions and pay attention to the expiration date. Expired paste can cause significant harm to health.
Compound
This is a paste-like substance interspersed with small solid particles. For ease of use, it is packaged in tubes made of polymers or metal.
Malt paste for hair removal for cats usually includes:
- malt extract;
- animal fats;
- vegetable oils;
- cellulose;
- vitamins, micro- and macroelements;
- yeast;
- bran;
- thickeners
To give an attractive taste and aroma, safe flavoring and aroma additives are used. Thanks to them, the mustache can enjoy the contents of the tube without much persuasion, and even with pleasure. Many pets perceive pasta as a valuable treat.
To maintain good condition of the skin and coat, the composition of malt paste for cats is enriched with Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, which are important for health. In addition, dietary supplements are introduced to normalize intestinal function.
Operating principle
Using malt paste to remove hair from a cat's stomach helps soften the hairballs that have formed. They are gradually removed from the pet's body during bowel movements. This effect is provided by the components contained in the product.
The operating principle can be described by the following diagram:
- A pasty substance envelops the clot and helps push it further along the gastrointestinal tract.
- The lump passes unhindered through the intestines, normalizing its functioning and freeing the body from hair accumulations.
As a result, the pet’s unpleasant symptoms disappear: nausea, vomiting, constipation. The substances included in the composition help normalize the microflora and restore the natural ratio of bacteria inside the furry body. This has a positive effect not only on the functioning of internal organs, but also improves the appearance of the pet.
Side effects
All types of malt paste are made from components that are safe for a healthy cat, so they can be used for adults, old pets, or kittens. But some formulations cannot be used if the animal has severe problems with the gastrointestinal tract or liver disease. In this case, using the drug may cause side effects: vomiting, stomach upset and provoke an exacerbation.
Some cats may have a severe allergic reaction to the components. Therefore, when first used, it is recommended to use a reduced dose of the drug and monitor the reaction. Redness, itching and restlessness will be a signal that malt paste should not be used to treat your pet. If a large trichobezoar has formed in your cat's stomach, and treatment with paste is not possible, contact your veterinarian.
Malt paste can be combined with all known types of medications - this will not lead to a negative reaction. But it is not recommended to give it to your cat on the same day that she takes the laxative.
Sometimes pets steal tubes of hairball remedy, chew through them and eat the contents, significantly exceeding the dose. Don't worry - poisoning is impossible, since the paste does not contain any toxic substances, but in large quantities it acts like a laxative.
Thanks to its properties, malt paste becomes an indispensable element of the veterinary first aid kit of every cat owner. It is affordable, consumes extremely slowly, and is always highly effective.
Are there any harms, contraindications and side effects?
The medicine for removing trichobezoars has no contraindications. Malt paste is given to kittens, adult cats, old and weakened pets. There are no restrictions on the breed of mustaches.
The paste has virtually no side effects. The components included in the composition sometimes lead to the development of allergic reactions, but do not cause poisoning or other negative reactions of the body. Therefore, long-term use of the drug is permissible, subject to strict adherence to the prescribed dosage.
Excessive amounts of the substance can cause redness of the skin and itching. Giving it in excess of the dosage is also not advisable because of the components with a laxative effect.
The medicine is not prescribed if the pet has a large hairball and intestinal obstruction is diagnosed. In this case, the problem will have to be solved with more radical measures - most likely, the cat will need surgery.
Owner reviews
Martha, owner of the British Shorthair cat:
“My Magdalena is a short-haired breed and encountered a problem during shedding. The beauty ate too much wool and tried to vomit, but nothing worked. We contacted the veterinarian. The doctor recommended Malt paste. We bought a Biofar product. The cat stopped vomiting in the morning. She really liked the taste of the pasta. Seeing the packaging, she runs to me.”
Natasha, owner of 2 Persian cats:
“Two furry miracles live in our house. Even when they took the cats from the breeder, she advised giving them a special paste to avoid problems with the gastrointestinal tract due to fur. First we bought a product from Beaphar. We were always pleased with the result. One day he was not in the pet store, but I saw a paste from Sanal. It cost almost 100 rubles less, but was just as effective. Now I’ll only buy it.”
When does a cat need hair removal paste?
It is not so difficult for an attentive owner to notice problems with a pet’s digestion. Symptoms caused by trichobezoar formation include regular nausea and vomiting. Sometimes your pet has problems defecating.
In addition, tufts of hair are visible in vomit and feces. The animal begins to show anxiety and refuse to eat. This behavior is especially typical during seasonal molting, when the fluffy loses a significant part of its fur.
The use of a paste-like preparation or its analogues can help a suffering mustache or prevent the occurrence of a problem.
Application and storage
Using the drug is very simple, especially since instructions for using malt paste for cats are included with each package. Veterinarians recommend giving it for treatment and prevention purposes.
To prevent intestinal blockage, the drug is used for one week once a month. Give no more than 3 cm of the substance per day. During seasonal molting and for medicinal purposes - 5 cm. This portion is given until the end of severe hair loss. The paste is squeezed onto your hand, onto a plate, or given directly from the tube.
The medicinal substance has a pleasant smell for moustached fussy animals, so they perceive it as a delicacy. If the pet begins to be mischievous and refuses to take it, then the required amount is mixed with a small amount of food.
Give a paste-like substance 1-1.5 hours before or after meals. It is important to ensure constant access to drinking water.
The sealed tube with the drug is stored at a temperature of 5 to 25˚C. If the product has already been used, keep the tightly closed package in the refrigerator. Thanks to this, the fatty substances in the composition do not oxidize and remain safe for the pet’s health. A closed tube of the substance can be stored in the refrigerator for 24 months.
It is necessary to ensure that the fluffy does not have access to the packaging. Attracted by the pleasant aroma and taste, the animal is able to gnaw and eat the contents. This will significantly exceed the daily norm and act like a laxative.
Popular brands
There are several versions of the drug available in pet pharmacies and specialty stores. Which one to choose is up to the owner and his mustachioed friend to decide.
Cliny
These are products of a domestic company, which are popular due to their low price and good quality. The drug effectively removes trichobezoars, relieving vomiting and constipation. Additionally, the product is enriched with silver ions to improve the general condition of the pet. The pleasant smell attracts the mustache. The average cost is 250-280 rubles per 45 g.
Gimpet
A German analogue of the drug, which contains natural malt and vegetable oil. The pleasant structure and pronounced aroma are very popular with pets. There is no sugar or other flavor enhancers among the ingredients. Price – 700-800 rubles per 200 g.
Beaphar
An analogue enriched with Omega-3 and Omega-6 acids that are beneficial for the health and appearance of your furry friend. Contains fermented milk products and sunflower oil. The products help get rid of hair clumps and harmful bacteria. The manufacturer added caramel for an attractive taste. Cost – 500 rubles per 100 g.
Sanal
A popular brand among mustache owners, it has a pleasant meat aroma. It contains vitamin E and additives that improve your pet's appetite. This effective remedy has an excellent preventive effect. The cost of the product is 170 rubles for 20 g.
Gimcat
Paste for removing trichobezoars, which does not contain sugar or harmful preservatives. There are different flavor options. According to the instructions, the daily amount of paste is 1 cm more than other brands. Average price – 610 rubles per 100 g.
Malt Paste range
This name is not a brand owned by one specific company, so it can be found in the assortment of various suppliers. The most popular of them:
- Beaphar (Beafar). Dutch manufacturer producing malt pastes based on malt, dairy products and vegetable oils. The presence of the Omega 3 and 6 complex allows you to have a positive effect on the condition of the coat, but can harm pets diagnosed with liver problems or gastrointestinal diseases. The manufacturer produces a regular form of the drug and a double Malt Paste Duo, which contains a second type of paste that forms healthy intestinal microflora. Price – 500 rub. / 100 g.
- Gimpet (Gimpet). The name of the malt paste for cats is Gimcat Malt Soft Paste Extra . A high-quality German drug that is standard in its composition and has no contraindications. Allowed for use with double doses for single use. Cost – 500 rub. / 100 g.
- Cliny (Cliny). Russian analogue, distinguished by an affordable price. Contains vitamin supplements and is not recommended for use in the presence of gastrointestinal diseases. Price: small tube – 250 rub. / 75 g and large packaging – 400 rub. / 200 g.
- Sanal (Sanal). Another drug from the Netherlands. It has no contraindications for use; it contains ash and vitamin E as an additional element. Price: 190 rubles. / 20 g and 550 rub. / 130 g.
All of the products mentioned effectively eliminate trichobezoars, but before purchasing you should carefully read the instructions for any contraindications.
Advice! The mixture has a thick consistency, so squeezing it out of the tube may be difficult. To avoid this, you can remove the container from the refrigerator shortly before use and warm it to room temperature.
Analogs of hair removal pastes
Malt paste against hairballs for cats is an effective and convenient remedy. However, some cats refuse pasty treats, preferring other forms of release.
Treats
A pasty substance similar to marshmallow is produced in the form of compressed pads or rings. Pets really like these products because, in addition to the classic ingredients, they contain catnip.
Tablets and vitamins
Special nutritional supplements help cope with trichobezoars. They are called phytomins and are produced from extracts of medicinal plants, minerals, lecithin and taurine. Phytomines are produced in the form of tablets that are convenient to give to your pet during meals.
The veterinarian prescribes the tablets, determining the dosage and duration of their use. The effect of phytomins is not quick - the hair will leave the cat’s body gradually.
In addition, there are special vitamin and mineral supplements designed to gently cleanse the gastrointestinal tract. Pet Naturals of Vermont products, containing plantain extract and healthy fatty acids, are popular among cat owners.
Some dry food manufacturers immediately include phytomins and malt extract in their dry granules. Usually in such cases a mark is placed on the packaging about the hair-removing properties of the food. If the cat eats just such a product, there is no need to give additional malt pastes and analogues.
Will regular grass do the job?
Animals themselves have long developed a mechanism for removing lumps from the stomach and intestines. They eat grass - usually wheatgrass. It can trigger a gag reflex and thereby help regurgitate accumulated hair.
Street animals easily use this, but mustachioed couch potatoes do not have this opportunity. Then pots with sown grass and sprouted sprouts come to the rescue, which are added to the cat’s food.
For short-haired cats, grass is enough, but long-haired cats will need paste in any case. Veterinarians also recommend malt products for animals with sensitive digestion and chronic diseases.
Varieties
The most popular products are:
- Malt paste from Beaphar (Netherlands). Produced in several versions. It comes in regular and two-component types. The second option contains taurine, Omega 6 fatty acid and a probiotic complex that helps normalize intestinal microflora. The cost of a 25-gram tube will cost 230-250 rubles, 100 g of regular paste costs about 600 rubles.
- Malt paste from GimGat (Germany). The manufacturer produces the medicine in different packaging with different flavors for adult pets and especially for kittens. There are options with minerals and vitamins and other additives. The price of Malt paste for cats from a German manufacturer varies from 380 to 700 rubles, depending on the type and size of the package.
- Malt paste from Sanal (Netherlands). A paste with a pleasant taste and vitamin E copes well with the main task, but is cheaper than products from branded manufacturers. A small 20 g tube costs about 190 rubles, a 100 gram package costs 550 rubles.
- Malt paste from Cliny (Russia). Compared to imported products, domestic products are cheaper. A 30-gram tube can be bought for 140-150 rubles.
You can purchase any type of hair removal paste at any veterinary pharmacy or pet store. Medicines of this type are also sold in online stores.
You can now see the current price of Malt paste and buy it right here:
