My cat has very long very fine fur and grooms himself constantly. He gets really nasty hairballs, very dense, 3/4" thick by up to three or four inches long - disgusting!
He's on hairball food both wet and dry, gets "hairball treats" once a day when he's having a problem about once a week when he's not, and slicker combed every day during shedding and randomly at other times.
All of the above keeps the hairballs smaller and less frequent, but he still gets them. Any suggestions on things I'm not doing already?
I also worry that he may really choke on one of these things one day - if I am present, what can I do to help him?
2006-12-13 05:15:52 · 8 answers · asked by heart o' gold 7 in Pets ➔ Cats
Hairballs are a big problem with long and medium haired cats. You're right - if they're not successfully vomited, they can cause an obstruction in the stomach or intestines, become impacted, and require surgery. It's not common, but it does happen.
If hairball food and treats aren't helping, it might be a good idea to find a reliable groomer who can take an inch or so off the top. Not a total shave-down - just using a longer clipper blade to shorten the hair. Do some research on the groomers before you commit - cheap groomers are usually cheap for a reason, and I've seen some real butcher jobs done on long haired cats.
There is a popular additive you can try called CatLax. It's a flavored gel-paste-type product that helps to lubricate the gastrointestinal tract. They just need a dollop a day - it's flavored, so some cats will lick it off your finger. For the objectionable cat, you can smear the CatLax on their paw - they'll groom it off on their own. If you're interested in the herbal track, supplements containing herbal licorice, marshmallow or slippery elm are great for gastrointestinal lubrication and support.
If your cat is struggling to breath or seems to have an airway obstruction, you can try a "kitty heimlich". Just like you would with a person, place your hands under the cat's sternum and force pressure on the diaphram to force the obstruction out. Just two hands squeezing is usually sufficient. It's always a good idea to know the location of the nearest emergency clinic, especially with his chronic problems, and have the phone number available. He'll need a vet visit, even if you've removed an obstruction.
Good luck with your kitty cat - it sounds like you've really done a lot to help your cat out, and I hope this helps you out some.
2006-12-13 05:27:09 · answer #1 · answered by sjlawson12 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Hairballs are a major concern for many cat owners. About 50% of cat owners agree to this and to combat this ever-increasing problem pet food manufacturers are coming up with new formulations. Hairballs are not a disease, but an unpleasant nuisance for many. Thanks to scientific innovations hairball problems will soon become a decreasingly small tale of the past for our beloved feline friends!
Hairballs occur because cats swallow large amounts of hair while grooming themselves. All breeds are susceptible to hairballs, but cats who groom themselves excessively and those with longer, thicker hair are more prone to the problem.
Healthy household cats naturally self-groom themselves from the age of 35 days of age. Self-grooming helps in regulating the thermoregulate body temperature especially in the hot and humid environment. Self-grooming can also be a displacement activity from anxiety or conflict. Petted cats frequently drool in showing affection. Excessive drools needs medical attention.
2006-12-13 13:28:42 · answer #2 · answered by Snowball 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
At home with 3 kitties...one of them being a very long haired kittie....we use just a small amount of baby oil on the tops of their front paws. Although I'm not completely sure how this works, other than it just making it easier to pass?? it has been effective for us. I hope this helps in some ways...
2006-12-13 13:28:41 · answer #3 · answered by Peanut Gallery 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I give my cats olive oil on wet food once or twice a week and they get no hairballs. Cod liver oil works too.
2006-12-13 13:20:48 · answer #4 · answered by a_delphic_oracle 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I use Petroleum Jelly or Vaseline for my cats and works really well!!
It also wouldn't hurt to brush your cats fur every other day or so. Especially if your cat sheds a lot!
2006-12-13 13:26:02 · answer #5 · answered by Rachel 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you could try a cat treat with a hairball additive in it.. that has worked for my cats before.. you could trim your cats hair.. but you should see the vet if you think that the cat has a serious problem.
2006-12-13 13:18:55 · answer #6 · answered by Emi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could try a product called Laxatone, it comes in a tube like toothpaste, you give it to your cat a few times a week and that should help.
2006-12-13 14:22:07 · answer #7 · answered by Lee 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should brush him and give him baths more often. That will give him less hair to swallow when he grooms to cough up later.
2006-12-13 15:35:14 · answer #8 · answered by Jessie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋