Please help with cat food problem. Thanks.?

Question

I have a 23-yr. old Siamese who had a slight problem with hairballs. I tried a Purina blend and she seemed to get better. The next time I needed dry cat food I bought MeowMix Hairball Control Forumula because I had a coupon. Now the hairball problem is worse than ever. This morning she hacked all over an off-white brocade piece of furniture. I went to the store and bought the Purina blend again. Why did this particular brand cause such a dramatic increase where it had been mild before? Has anyone else had this problem? I'm so angry I could spit up hairballs!

This is especially for the jerk who thinks I should kill her--she is in very good health otherwise. Active and playful. She's not overweight. Eats IAMS pouch food with gusto, drinks milk and plenty of water. The vet told me it is not uncommon for Siamese to live long lives. Thanks to the rest of you--I'm getting some good advice.

Answer 1

Hi Goldie...your kitty became suddenly sick because of the sudden change in diet. Even healthy senior kitties are very sensitive to any changes so if she is used to having Purina as her main brand it would be easier to stay with the same brand with a hairball formula (link below). When changing to the hairball brand it will need to be gradually done from her old regular dried food. (e.g. 1/4 hairball brand to 3/4 old kibble then to 1/2 to 1/2 then to 3/4 hairball food to 1/4 old kibble over a course of a couple weeks). Senior kitties need a little longer adjustment time to prevent their bowel from be disturbed.

I've also included a weblink written by Dr. Fosters that details helpful ideas on how best to manage hairballs in felines. Cats tend to shed more when they are older even if she healthy because an ill cat does not shed much hair (like we all thought). A vet can confirm this fact. Anyhow, the website mentions how grooming, diet, over the counter treatments for hairballs and other ideas will aid in minimizing the hairball problems.

I hope your kitty will live many more healthy years!

Answer 2

I'm not sure what caused the increase in hairballs, though it's likely that your cat did not react well to having a new food so abruptly. Cats need a gradual transition from one food to the other, and if you didn't do that, she may have just had a bad reaction.
Generally, I've always found that staying away from brand name cat food is the best way to go...usually the quality is lower and the price of the food comes from the name brand. You can often find good quality foods at similar or lower prices in a pet food store...just ask the person who works there.
Also, some ways to try and cut down on the hairball problem at least a bit...try feeding your cat a food high in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids (this helps with a strong coat) and try and brush your cat as often as you can. These will both strengthen the fur, causing her to shed less, and hopefully reduce the hairballs too.

Answer 3

It sounds like the hairballs aren't a new problem, but that they have gotten dramatically worse recently. I'd be concerned that the hairballs got worse because of some other problem- and I'd want to consult a vet.

Has she improved since you switched back to Purina? Honestly, I can't imagine that there is that much difference between the two foods, but maybe the new one didnt agree with her in some way.

Continue to montior her condition and especially her water intake. If she doesn't get worse, then it might have been a bug. Otherwise, call a vet.

But you must be doing something right to have a 23 (!!!!!!) year old cat. Maybe you should be giving us the advice :)

Answer 4

At 13 years old its time for some senior bloodwork. A change in dietary behavior may be a symptom of something other than dental disease. Bloodwork will reveal whether or not infection is present and organ function. Kidney disease is always possible in an aging cat. Radiographs,ultrasound and urinalysis are used to rule out problems associate with the kidneys. Would you say his appetite has decreased? Cats can not go long without eating. Hepatic lipidosis is a complication in cats with inappetence. So keep an eye on his intake of food. Any behavoiral or dietary change in a cat is worthy of a vet visit. Cats don't just become finicky without reason Schedule an appointment tomorrow.

Answer 5

cats at that age have rather delicate digestive systems that sometimes react negatively to a sudden change in diet. Going back to the other food is a good choice (any new food you try should be integrated SLOWLY - not switched all at once).

also brush her as much as possible. This helps greatly with long haired cats and normally the kitty likes the attention. Also, periodically give her a LITTLE, good quality wet food (like Iams for older cats). Vets have found this is actually helpful to their diet.

finally adding just a tiny bit of oil to her food may also help her pass the hair more easily - if not, it's worth a call to your vet. I would try natural fish oils, but again in very small amounts or you'll end up with another dry cleaning bill.

Answer 6

Wow! You're so lucky to have had your cat for 23 years. I just lost my precious boy at 20 years old. It's not really good to change cat's food like that, you really need to switch them over more gradually, especially an older cat. My cat was a Maine coon who had long hair & also got furballs. I fed him a food for seniors that was a hairball formula. If he lets you brush him, that helps, but the older kitties don't seem to like the brushing. I used to use Petromalt, which is a fish flavored ointment that helps them pass the fur balls. An increase in furball problems could mean the cat is constipated, so you might want to have the vet check him out. Don't be mad at kitty...enjoy the time you have with him..I'd give anything to have my boy back. Good luck!.

Answer 7

First of all any vet will tell you that you should not change pet foods all of a sudden. If you want to try a new food you should begin by mixing a little of the new food with the old food and gradually increase new food and decrease old food until you are giving all new food. By changing food all of a sudden you can cause the cat to have stomach problems and this is probably what happened. Aso some cats just have a certain makeup that some foods will not sit well while others are fine. If you have found a food that your cat does good on stick to it. But like I said if you want to change follow steps above. You can check this out at any Vet.

Answer 8

First off...I know money is sometimes tight, but try not to switch up the cats food, especially at that age. Stay with what works.

Next, make sure to brush the cat regularly.

Last, you can buy tubes of hairball remedy stuff too and some cats actually like it and will lick it from the tube. My Siamese did.

Answer 9

I would try the Iams senior formula with hairball control. My cat (who incidentally died at 23) ate that for her latter years, and her hairball problem was very mild, as compared to other foods.

One thing you should realize though, is your cat is nearing the end of its life. It is going to cough up hairballs and do other bodily functions, and there's not a lot that can be done to prevent it.

Answer 10

My cat likes that hairball formula from Hill's Science Diet--last bag I bought I had left on the floor by the kitchen and the next morning there was little kitty teeth marks in the bag!! I don't know how that little baby knew it was that particular food because I had been buying other brands