Can Dogs Take Hairball Medicine?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Give your dog plenty of water to help him stay hydrated

, especially if he is vomiting. Giving them more water than usual if you suspect they have a hairball will help with digestion. Hydration can help them pass the hairball in their stools faster.

Why is my dog coughing like he has a hairball?

Kennel cough is a dry, hacking, persistent cough that can sound like the dog has something stuck in its throat. This dry hack is often followed by gagging or retching that sounds like the dog is coughing up a hairball, like a cat.

How can I help my dog clear his throat?

If you have a friend or someone to help, they can

hold the dog to their chest while you open his mouth and look down his throat

. Gently gripping your dog’s tongue and pulling it outwards will make it easier to see and may dislodge the stuck object.

Do dogs puke up hairballs?


Many dog simply vomit up the hairball

, leaving you to discover it on your floor, and continue on with their normal lives. In some cases, however, this hairball may become lodged in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to an obstruction.

Can a hairball cause a blockage?


If a hairball gets stuck somewhere in the digestive tract, the resulting blockage can be life-threatening

. Gastrointestinal blockages require prompt surgical intervention, so if your cat has any of these symptoms of a possible blockage, see your veterinarian immediately: repeated unproductive retching.

Do dogs hack up hairballs?

Although it’s uncommon among canines, coughing up hairball can sometimes be a problem for dogs with medium to long fur.

It is mostly attributed to self-grooming, however, there other reasons for the dogs to ingest its own hair.

Why does my dog keep coughing gagging like he’s choking?

If you observe a cough that involves a choking sound coming from your dog, then the chances are that

some sort of disease has infected your dog

. Common causes of this symptom include reverse sneezing, pneumonia, kennel cough, heart disease, collapsing trachea, or a foreign object in the throat.

Why is my dog gagging but not throwing up?

When your dog tries to vomit but nothing comes up, this is known as

dry heaving

. It will often look as though they are experiencing a whole-body spasm, beginning in the stomach and undulating out the throat. Retching and dry heaving are essentially the same thing, simply two different terms for it.

Why does my dog keep coughing and gagging at night?

A high-pitched cough that sounds like the dog is gagging

can be a symptom of a sore throat or other upper airway irritation or block

. A cough that occurs only at night or when your dog is sleeping can suggest a potentially serious underlying health condition.

What is the fastest way to cure kennel cough?

If your pooch has kennel cough, it’s especially important to make sure he

drinks enough water

. It will flush out the toxins in his body, which may help get rid of the virus faster. If your dog does not want to drink water, have him chew on ice cubes.

How do you cure a hairball?


Add a teaspoon of olive oil or melted butter to your cat’s food once a week

. Provide your cat with a small amount of canned tuna or sardines occasionally. Another effective option is to dip your cat’s paw into some petroleum jelly.

Can hair cause a blockage in dogs?

For the dogs who do occasionally groom themselves, hairball formation can be dangerous:

If the hairball is too big to throw up, it might cause a blockage in your dog’s digestive system

. In extreme cases, surgery might be needed.

What happens if my dog eats a hairball?

If the dog’s ingests too much fur,

they may vomit up their hairballs just like a cat

. Take heart — even though this is disgusting, it’s a good sign that their bodies are handling the issue. Because on rare conditions, hairballs can be a real problem, which goes beyond having to clean the carpet.

Why did my dog throw up yellow chunks?

Yellow vomit is very common when a dog has an empty stomach, and the yellow color that you see is due to

bile secretions

. This occurs most commonly in the middle of the night or early morning hours. It can be caused by acid buildup, reflux, or any other systemic condition that causes nausea on an empty stomach.

How do vets remove a hairball?

If a blockage is detected,

surgery may be required in order to remove the hairball

. More often, however, therapy will center on protecting the intestines through several days of clinical care that includes the use of a laxative to move the hairball through the digestive tract.

Does pumpkin help with hairballs?

A high-fiber diet is best for reducing hairballs, and many cat foods are formulated to help minimize hairballs.

Mixing a tablespoon of canned pumpkin into a cat’s food once or twice a week can add more fiber to their diet easily, and will be a tasty treat besides.

How much does it cost to get a hairball removed?

Surgery costs vary widely based on your location and the severity of your pet’s condition. You can expect to pay anywhere from

$800 up to $6000 or more

. Your vet will provide you with a more precise estimate when discussing surgery with you.

Why does my dog keep trying to cough something up?

It’s

typically caused by a foreign object getting stuck in the throat, or by objects getting wrapped tightly around the neck

. Choking can be life-threatening so it’s vital that you contact your vet or, out of hours, your nearest Vets Now, immediately.

Why does my dog keep gagging and throwing up white foam?

White, foamy vomit is often caused by

excessive production and swallowing of saliva

, which can be a symptom of nausea. Ingesting grass, plant material, or other things that are unusual or difficult for a dog to digest can cause vomiting. Toxins can cause GI irritation and worse, often leading to vomiting.

Is honey good for dogs?


Yes, you can feed honey to your dog

Honey is a superfood because of its many benefits for both humans and dogs. It’s sweet, filled with antioxidants, provides the benefits of several vitamins and minerals, provides relief from allergies and skin irritations, and gives your dog a quick energy boost when they need it.

What are the signs of respiratory distress in a dog?

  • Coughing.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Gagging after coughing.
  • Nasal congestion.
  • Exercise intolerance.
  • Fainting.
  • Wheezing.
  • Blue gums.
Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.