Has your cat been coughing and hacking lately? Has he been leaving disgusting skinny oval blobs all over your floor? If so, your cat might have hairballs.

What exactly is a hairball? It is a mass of hair and food that did not digest that forms inside a cat's body. The hair comes together and forms a ball in his stomach instead of simply passing through his body. Since these hairballs aren't able to break down and be digested, cats often cough them up to get rid of them.

While most cats don't have a problem with dislodging hairballs, they can occasionally pass into a cat's intestines and cause a blockage. If your cat seems to be constipated, he may be experiencing a small blockage. If he seems lethargic and his coat is dull and unhealthy looking, or he is eating less than usual, then he may have a serious blockage.

Either way, you should take him to your veterinarian to be sure a hairball is the problem and to have it removed.

Preventing hairballs

Of course, it is much better to prevent hairballs in the first place. One of the easiest ways to keep your cat from developing a hairball is to groom him frequently by thoroughly combing or brushing his hair each day to remove excess hair and dander.

If you begin this routine when he is a kitten, he will actually look forward to being groomed. If your cat doesn't care for brushes and combs, try a grooming glove, instead.

There are also several dietary aids that you can try. For example, there are many dry cat food brands on the market that are developed specifically to prevent hairballs.

There is also special hairball remedy on the market. The remedy is in the form of a gel. This gel can be added to your cat's food or placed on your cat's paw. This gel is actually a lubricant and will help the hairball pass through his body. Talk to your veterinarian before using one of these hairball remedies for a long period of time, as they can end up removing important vitamins and minerals along with hairballs.

If you've been thinking about adopting a feline companion, there are a few things to consider before you go to the local animal shelter.

First, you should consider whether or not you want to adopt a kitten or an older cat.

Many people prefer to pick cute, fluffy, and playful kittens for many reasons. First, most kittens have not developed bad habits or attitudes. Kittens can integrate easier with families with children as well.

But make no mistake, older cats are a great choice too. If you live alone or want a less energetic pet adopting an older cat might be the way to go.

In any case, many animal shelters will fix and immunize cats before they are adopted out, so that is one less expense you have to worry about. However, you do need to consider whether or not you are going to declaw your cat.

I am not a real fan of declawing (even for inside cats) a cat since a cat's claws are her only source of defense. Removing her claws means removing her only way to fight if she's in a jam. Instead of declawing my cats, I trim them every now and then. To keep the cats from destroying my furniture, I have many scratching posts throughout the house. That seems to keep them happy.

It can take a new cat several days to settle into a new house. Don't be surprised if she hides from you or hisses at you. Give her a few days to settle in. To help your cat adjust quickly, be sure you have a bed, litter box, and food dishes set up in a permanent spot.

For many pet owners, one cat is enough. But for others, cats are like potato chips....they can't just have one, or two.

Are you thinking about adopting a second cat?

A second cat can provide great companionship to your current feline friend. For example, if you happen to be gone for an extended period of time, a second cat can keep your current cat company while you are gone. Not only that but your current cat will most likely develop a new lease on life if you introduce a new buddy into his life.

Keep in mind, however, some cats enjoy their solitude and can be very territorial towards their homes and families. At first, they may not appreciate sharing their lives with another cat.

Introducing a new cat to the family can be a very tricky process. It is best to keep the two separated for the first couple days. When I bring a new cat into the family, I usually keep her in a spare bedroom with food and a litter box for few days.

After a few days, when each cat has gotten accustom to each other's scent, I allow the cats to interact with each other for a few minutes at a time.

Although some people feel that their cats will be more at home with a cat from the same breed, many cats are quite happy to hang out with other cat breeds. Of course, you may want to reconsider pairing a boisterous, clownish Rex cat with a standoffish Russian Blue. Cat breeds with similar traits do better together than cats that are completely different. Of course, the Himilayan Persian and the Maine Coon breeds are so laid back and friendly that they adapt well to life with the most demanding or rambunctious cats. Ocicats and Abyssinians make great buddies as well.

Are You Ready to Buy a New Cat?

So, you've decided that you want to adopt a cat. How wonderful! But before you start shopping for your first kitty, there are a few things you should consider. There's nothing worse than finding out that a cat is not for you or for your family once you've grown attached to your new found friend.

Here are three things to consider before buying or adopting a cat.

One of the main reasons why people have give up their pet cats is due to allergies. It sounds like common sense, but it is never a wise idea to bring a cat in the house when you or members of your family has cat allergies.

Cats are highly independent creatures. However, while cats require less interaction than dogs, she can still get lonely if left alone all day or is not given any attention. This can often lead to bad behavior from kitty. If for some reason you work long hours, you might want to consider getting a playmate for kitty. Two kitties will keep each other company during the time your not home.

Is your house big enough for a cat? Don't forget to that cats need litter boxes, food dishes, toys, and a scratching post. If you have children, the litter box will need to be placed in a place that your children can't get to, but that your cat can access easily.