• Cats are prone to hairballs.cat face image by Viktor Korpan from Fotolia.com
  
  Sooner or later, every cat develops a hairball. It's part of being a cat. Hairballs are caused by the ingestion of hair when a cat grooms itself. They can easily be prevented with a little extra attention and care, but not all cat owners are aware of this. If you're attending a cat party or thinking about a good gift idea for a cat lover, consider the following hairball related gifts, which are sure to be a hit.
  
  

Gift Basket with Informational Pamphlets

• Tuck a few informational pamphlets about hairball prevention into a gift basket with a cat theme. You may be able to find some at a local pet store or veterinarian's office, or you can make one on your computer. Make sure it includes information for recognizing signs of hairballs, such as loss of appetite, retching and erratic bowel movements.
  
  

Grooming Tools

• A cat comb, brush or grooming glove can be a great gift. Combing or brushing a cat is one of the most effective ways to prevent or reduce hairballs, as it removes dead hair from a cat's coat and lessens the chances of hair being ingested.
  
  

Cat Laxative

• Include a tube of flavored, petroleum-based hairball laxative as part of a cat gift. Cat laxative is available at pet stores and veterinarians offices. This will help a cat to digest any hairballs she may have, and aid in moving the hair through the digestive system.
  
  

Hairball Treatment Treats

• There are a variety of hairball related treats available on the market. Some have a petroleum based gel in the middle, while others contain greens and fiber. They are formulated to help a cat to digest any ingested hair. Consider including a jar or envelope of these treats as part of your cat gift.
  
  

Cat Grass

• Cat grass is a good preventative measure when it comes to hairballs. Cat grass kits are available at most pet stores, and include seeds and a chemical-free growing medium so that cat owners can grow their own. Cats enjoy eating the fresh grass, and it provides essential fiber, which helps to move any ingested hair through the digestive system.
  
  

Novelty Items

• Don't hesitate to give a novelty hairball gift item, such as a mug, t-shirt or magnet with a funny hairball related saying or cartoon on it. The cat owner will likely appreciate the humor as he or she gains experience with handling hairball related incidents.