I need advice about cats and hairballs.?

Question

I am a first-time cat "grandma". The cat is puking up what we have determined are hairballs. Without going to the Vet, what advice do experienced cat owners have? I am leary about giving her over the counter meds. Are they OK? Is the food I've seen labeled for hairballs good? Or better? Or do I really need to go to the Vet?

Answer 1

your cat is swallowing his hair. if you remove the hair by brushing it, then it will stopo the hairballs for a while. you will still have to brush continually though.like 5 times a week

Answer 2

I don't think vets have any good answers here. It isn't something that interests them and they don't think it is serious.

I do think it is serious. Out of the six cats I have only one throws up a hairball maybe twice a week. She is a nervous little thing and is an obsessive groomer (short-haired). So that is five cats in about 14 years and only one brings up hairballs. All cats are fastidious groomers and the hair they consume passes through their bodies naturally because their diet is right for their species. I would be willing to bet that if there were a zoo keepers question group here that none of the feline caretakers would be asking about hairballs from their lions, tigers, panthers,etc. Their cats all eat raw meat.

I have been at this site for about two months and am simply amazed that this question comes up daily. I know that the veterinarians at the food manufacturers have come up with food that is supposed to eliminate this problem.

IMO it is the food that IS the problem. My cats have a high quality diet that included a raw meat mixture I make for their dinners. They do have some dry food for breakfast and it does not contain ANY corn. Only rice, or peas, or oats as fillers.

Laxatone is OTC and it won't harm your cat. That's an easy go. Too much laxatone can coat the stomach and intestines to the extent that the nutrients don't get through to the cat. You will never know whether this is going on or not.

You can go to Dr. Jean Hovfe's website: wwwlittlebigcat.com. She has many articles on what to look for in a commercial food, one on easy home-made diets, why cats need canned foods, etc.
Dr. Hovfe is a past-president of the Amer. Assoc. of Holistic Veterinarians, obviously a respected member of the veterinary community.

Answer 3

I have two lovely long haired fur ball persian cats and unfortunately with all that lush hair they do need to be groomed daily so hair doesnt get matted and so they dont puke those nasty furballs, but you don't need to rush kitty to the vets, unless he is having more than 2 episodes a week I would take him, but if it's 2 times a month, then he/she should be ok. Also try molasses, they sell it at the petstore and you put it on kitty's paws to lick it off or daily pet foods contain hairall remedies in them, pretty good stuff! Good luck with Mr. or Mrs. Meow!!!

Answer 4

Cats, like dogs, can vomit at will. If this is the mother cat she might have more furballs than usual cleaning her kittens. I wouldn't worry too much about them, but if you want the hairball remedy in the tube will help her pass fur that's already in her bowels. You can also pick her a little grass or buy special cat greens that you can grow yourself at home. Just make sure the grass you give her is pesticide\fertilizer free. Grass will irritate her stomach causing her to vomit which is natural.

Congratulations and if you don't want anymore furry wee ones, please have her spaded.

Answer 5

The over the counter remedies work alright. I haven't seen much difference with hairball control food though.

Answer 6

Nothing. Hairballs are very natural. All the medicines do is keep your cat from throwing them up, causing them to pass them through their digestive tract. Personally, I don't think that is healthy for the cat, in fact, it gives them upset stomachs. The natural way for cats is to eject that from their system. My solution for you is to deal with it. Allow your cat to puke, it can't control when and where it happens. And don't get angry at him/her when they do it on your furniture or carpet.

Answer 7

i've only ever used the hairball remedy that you can get at walmart or any other big store. it always worked. as for hairball food.. no idea.

and brushing helps. :P

Answer 8

I put something like shortening
or olive oil on the front forelegs
of my cat. She licks it off
to get it cleaned up, and when
it goes in her belly it helps the
hair balls slide on through.
About once a month, or whenever
you notice her choking, etc.

Answer 9

I give them hair ball remedy malt flavored. I get it at wal-mart. Also brushing them will help keep them down to. There is know way to stop them completely, it just goes with owning cats.

Answer 10

brush the poor thing and she will do it less or stop. Shes shedding alot of hair.