Cats are considered very clean animals, because they take care of their coats on their own. But as a result of frequent licking, wool accumulates in their stomachs, which is compressed into lumps (trichobezoars) and leads to disruption of the digestive processes. To get rid of them, you need to use a special product - malt paste.
Let's find out what is included in such drugs and how to use them correctly.
What is malt paste
This product is a paste-like mass containing small solid particles. It is packaged in metal or polymer tubes and sold in specialized pet stores.
Malt paste for cats usually includes:
- malt extract;
- vegetable oils;
- animal fats;
- cellulose;
- yeast;
- bran;
- prebiotics;
- probiotics;
- vitamins;
- micro- and macroelements.
The hair removal product also contains thickeners, emulsifiers and antioxidants. To give malt paste a pleasant taste and aroma, manufacturers use harmless flavorings and fragrances.
To improve the condition of the coat and skin, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are added to the product. And in order to normalize the functioning of the intestines, dietary supplements are mixed into the paste for cats.
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.
Indications for use
The formation of trichobezoars is a natural process for representatives of the cat family. They usually move down the esophagus and are eliminated from the gastrointestinal tract through regurgitation or feces. In short-haired cats, this process occurs slowly and does not cause serious problems. But representatives of furry breeds have negative consequences in the form of intestinal blockage.
You can reduce the risk of complications by using malt paste for removing hair from cats. It should be given during the molting period and when the following symptoms appear:
- weight loss;
- nausea;
- regular vomiting with hairs;
- loss of appetite;
- constipation;
- changes in behavior.
Symptoms of hairballs in the stomach
Some symptoms can indicate that a cat's stomach is filled with fur. The most basic of them is lack of appetite. Food simply cannot fit into a full stomach.
You can often observe the following picture: the animal eats little by little, often runs to the bowl. Cats develop a false sense of fullness. This happens due to the fact that there are also receptors in the walls of the stomach that react to the degree of fullness of the stomach. These receptors send an impulse to the hypothalamus, that is, to the food center, which is responsible for the feeling of fullness.
Trichobezoars - the name of the formed hairballs, can cause the development of other symptoms:
- The fur becomes dull
. Malnutrition has a sharply negative effect on the general condition of the animal. The cat does not receive the necessary vitamins and minerals. In addition to the coat, the internal systems of the body also suffer due to a lack of essential nutrients in the diet. - Vomiting, cough, nausea
. If a cat vomits hair, then the reason is clear - the stomach is full of trichobezoars. The pet begins to cough, trying to provoke a gag reflex. Some animals deliberately begin to eat weed leaves in order to provoke a gag reflex. A hairball that is too large may not be able to pass through the sphincter that connects the esophagus to the stomach, resulting in a blockage. - Fullness of the stomach with trichobezoars
- the presence of hair on the fangs. It is important to examine the pet’s oral cavity and if hair is found to be stuck to the fangs, it will need to be removed. Fur remaining on the fangs can cause inflammatory processes in the gums when they grow into them. - Lethargy, apathy, constipation
. A sharp change in the animal’s mood, manifested in the form of lethargy and drowsiness, may indicate an accumulation of fur in the body. In addition, the presence of trichobezoars can be determined by constipation, which is observed in the animal for several days. The cause of stool problems may be improperly selected cat food, but in the vast majority of cases, the intestinal tract is blocked by hairballs, which leads to impaired blood circulation in tissue structures. Degenerative processes of death of cells in the intestinal mucosa are launched and, as a result, general poisoning of the body occurs.
In order to protect the animal from suffering, it is recommended to purchase a special paste in advance, which will help cope with the problem without consequences. The owner will not observe the painful movements of the animal when it tries to pull out the accumulated fur, and will also be protected from dangerous consequences, such as blockage of the digestive tract by trichobezoars.
Operating principle
Malt pastes for cats do not dissolve clumps of hair, but help remove it from the body. The active ingredients of the drugs soften the trichobezoars, which later gradually come out. The pasty mass envelops hairballs and promotes their movement through the digestive tract. As a result, wool clots pass unhindered through the intestines and are eliminated during bowel movements. As a result, the cat’s constipation, nausea and vomiting disappear, and the microflora is normalized.
Malt pastes for cats also perform a preventive function. They prevent hair that has entered the cat's stomach from forming into large clumps and prevents it from growing into the intestinal walls.
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.
Contraindications and possible side effects
Malt paste is equally suitable for kittens, adult animals and older, weakened individuals. It has no other contraindications, except for serious pathologies of the digestive system and liver problems. Also, paste for cats is not prescribed in case of the formation of a large hairball that causes intestinal obstruction.
The drug has virtually no side effects. But the components present in its composition in rare cases cause allergies. Therefore, when using the wool dissolving paste for the first time, it is recommended to reduce the dose of the drug and look at the animal’s reaction. If the cat becomes restless and begins to itch, then this malt paste is not suitable for him.
Instructions for use
Malt pastes for cats can be used for preventive and therapeutic purposes. In modern veterinary medicine, there are 2 schemes for using drugs to remove hairballs:
- 3 cm of paste daily;
- for 1 week a month, 5 cm of product per day.
The required amount of paste is squeezed out of the tube and given to the cat by hand or mixed into food. The cat should not be fed 1-1.5 hours before administering the drug. The animal also needs to be provided with constant access to clean drinking water.
The best malt pastes for cats
Specialized pet stores and veterinary pharmacies offer a wide range of hair removal products.
Beaphar Malt Paste
The Dutch-made product is made on an oil-fat basis and contains malt extract, yeast, Omega-3 and Omega-6. It effectively removes hairballs from the cat's stomach and serves as a prevention of vomiting, constipation and intestinal obstruction. It normalizes the functioning of the digestive tract and is recommended for use during the molting period.
The drug has no age restrictions and is given 3 cm daily. During the molting period, long-haired cats are given 6-12 cm of product, while short-haired cats need 4-8 cm. Beaphar Malt Paste costs 610-640 rubles. per 100 gram tube.
Cliny
Russian-made malt paste for cats contains malt extract, corn oil, wheat bran, milk powder, lactose, soy protein and silver benzoate. It effectively removes hairballs, regulates appetite and helps prevent constipation and vomiting. The silver ions contained in it have a pronounced disinfecting effect.
Cliny malt paste has a pleasant taste of cheese, salmon or chicken. The dosage of the product depends on the weight of the animal: kittens and cats weighing up to 2 kg are given 2 cm of paste daily, individuals weighing more than 2 kg are given 5 cm. If necessary, the dosage is doubled. Cliny malt paste is not recommended for cats with gastrointestinal diseases. The cost of a 75 ml package varies between 330-380 rubles.
Gimpet Malt-Soft Paste Extra
German-made malt paste is made on the basis of natural vegetable oils and fibers. The malt extract present in its composition effectively dissolves hairballs and facilitates their removal from the body along with the remains of undigested food. And beta-glucan prevents the development of inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract.
The drug is given daily at 6-12 cm in pure form or along with food. It does not contain sugar and has no contraindications. The only downside is the high cost. For a 200-gram tube you will have to pay 730-800 rubles.
Ecoprom “Stop the problem”
Russian-made malt paste is made on the basis of malt extract and contains refined corn oil, wheat bran, lactulose concentrate, soy protein isolate, whole milk powder, sorbic acid and distilled water. Designed to remove trichobezoars and prevent their formation.
The drug is recommended for daily use, and its dosage depends on the weight of the animal. Kittens and cats weighing up to 2 kg are given 2 cm of paste, individuals weighing more than 2 kg are given 5 cm. Malt paste “Stop Problem” is packaged in 60 ml tubes and costs about 213-249 rubles.
Sanal Malt Paste
Malt paste for cats produced in the Netherlands contains malt extract, ash and vitamin E. The latter is a powerful antioxidant and is completely absorbed by the body due to fat. Vitamin E helps improve immunity, participates in the synthesis of hormones, improves cell nutrition, and the condition of the coat and skin.
Malt paste has a distinct meaty taste and is easily eaten by pets. The drug lubricates swallowed fluff, preventing the formation of large lumps, facilitates the process of defecation, increases appetite and normalizes intestinal microflora. It is given daily in a dosage of 6 cm of paste. Packaged in 20-gram tubes costing 220-280 rubles. and 100-gram tubes costing about 550 rubles.
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.
