If you have a cat, you know how miserable hairballs are. Hairballs can be serious if kitty can't expel them naturally.

Here are some tips on how to help your cat handle them safely.

Comb and or brush your cat regularly. This will remove a lot of the hair the cat would otherwise swallow.

Add more fiber to the cats diet. Put half a teaspoon to a teaspoon of canned pumpkin or one-fourth teaspoon of flax seed or psyllium in the cats food.

Add a few pinches of catnip, wheat, barley, oats or rye type grasses to the cats food a couple of times a week.

Strained baby food works as a source of fiber too.

Put a small amount of vegetable shortening, petroleum jelly, mayonnaise, butter or olive oil on the cats feet. The cat will lick it off adding lubrication to the digestive system. Also add a teaspoon of mineral oil to the cat's food.

If none of these remedies bring quick relief, see the vet.