What would be the best way to get my cat to ingest a bit of olive oil to help her with hairballs?

Question

This was suggested as a remedy in an earlier question that I asked.

If I were to do this, how much olive oil would I give her and how would I get it into her? I have an eye dropper and also a plastic syringe that could be used.

What should I do?

Thanks

Answer 1

better make sure you know what your giving your cat!! cats can be poisoned by many things people think are ok. such as aspirin, chocolate,onions, etc. they are lactose intolerant and can become very sick from milk. use an approved hairball remedy such as rxv from the vet. they come in many flavors and are safe and inexpensive. brush your cat too, they will love you for it, but don't force it on them let them come to you. they are not like dogs where you can just tell them to sit and stay. also remember cats bathe themselves with there tongue so anything on there fur they will ingest. pet them with clean hands.

Answer 2

The hairball remedies that you can get at the pet store are very helpful, my cats freaking love them and usually knock the tube off the counter to get me to give them some.

But I'm not sure what the best way to give the olive oil would be. Wrapping them up in a towel and just dispensing the oil from the eye dropper into their mouth would probably be the most direct option, but if you're alone it might be a struggle if your kitties aren't really up to being handled to the point of being restrained in a towel.

I do know that if you put some on the cats paw or even their fur, that it won't like the way it feels and lick it off.

Would it be possible just to mix it into their food? Or is this one of those remedies that has to be administered by itself?

I'm sorry, I'm afraid I've just given more questions than answers.

I have been reading though that emptying one papaya capsule (get it at a health food store) into wet food for 3 days is a pretty popular home remedy.

I think it might be easier to just get the tube stuff from the pet store, the cats will eat it right off your finger.

Answer 3

Olive oil's very messy and I've never heard of using it on a cat before. Just because you heard it on here please don't assume that it's safe! The only post I read on here about someone giving olive oil to her cat was that she was frantic because it was choking on it - so please avoid.

What you can do though is pick up a hairball remedy at most pet stores or just put a little dab of Vaseline on the top of it's paw. It'll lick off its paw and take in the Vaseline.

Are you grooming your cat? I have a Persian and even with his super long, full coat he's never had hairballs in the year and a half I've had him. I comb him daily during shedding season and every few days the rest of the time. Shorthaired cats you can comb quite less often but initially you should do so every day till you get the loose undercoat out. You'll be amazed at how much loose fur you'll get out and totally understand why kitty's been getting hairballs! Get a good quality steel-toothed comb - not a brush. Far more effective at working out the loose hairs plus it won't break the topcoat hairs like a rough brush will.

Answer 4

Olive oil? Now that is something I find interesting. I have not heard of that one before.

You could also try a product that is available at most grocery stores, but mainly in pet stores called "Hairball Remedy". It comes in a tube that you can squeeze out onto your index finger and either: 1. Let the cat lick it off of your finger - thinking that it is a treat or something to eat (My youngest cat does this on his own without any coaxing), or 2. If the cat will not take it from your finger, then gently but firmly rub the remedy on the top of the cats paw, making sure that it will not come off if the cat tries to shake it off of its paw. He/she will have no other choice but to lick it off of the paw and take in the medicine. Be sure to follow the directions on the tube.

Answer 5

You can put a bit of whatever you use on her flank. She will be annoyed and will lick it up to clean herself. She will probably enjoy the fat content of the oil or butter or gel. You can try putting a teaspoonful on a plate, she may lap it up anyway.

Some people put the commercial gel on the cat's paw but some cats flick their paws and it goes all over the place.

You can also place some on a saucer, wad a paper towel, dip it in and then rub it lightly on her flank. That way you avoid excessive running of the oil.

The best thing is to give her a daily brushing to get rid of the hairs before she ingests them.

Answer 6

If you're feeding canned, mix it in with the food. If dry, I guess you could try putting some on that, but it may turn them away. In which case I'm not sure what you could do...many cats would not enjoy being force-fed liquids and I don't know if they'd drink it if it were added to their water.

You might have better luck with a fish oil. Some cats love fish and go nuts for it.

As for how much, based on fish oil, I would say up to 1/4 tsp per day.

Answer 7

the terrific ingredient to do would have been to get your cat mounted and save her indoors. then you definately does no longer have undesirable litters and fleas and ear mites. i'm sorry to assert this yet you will would desire to spend money to eliminate the fleas and ear mites. in case you could no longer have the money for their vetrinary care, do no longer very own animals, and please turn them over to a solid no-kill take care of which will take care of their scientific desires. Your cats would desire to work out a vet with regards to the ear mites and (regardless of if it extremely is not counseled because of the fact some cats have nasty reactions) you could %. up flea drugs from WAL-MART for under 10$. you in addition to mght would desire to purchase a flea collar to diminish up on your vacumm bag and do all surfaces on your place as nicely as washing any upholstery, pillows, and mattress sheets you're starting to be. Fleas can and could stay on your carpet or mattress for as much as a three hundred and sixty 5 days. So in case you do no longer look after the basis of the venture, you will consistently have them. And a word from the smart, save your cats indoors to any extent further. Edit - additionally, your cats would desire to be taken into the vet to be checked for worms now that they have got had an infestation of fleas.

Answer 8

If you can, let your cat eat some grass. Cats often will eat it as a way to get rid of hairballs. It makes them throw up and the hairballs are wrapped up in the grass.

Answer 9

Put a little on a plate, tell her she can't have any of it and put it where she's not allowed to go.
She'll be lapping it up in minutes.

Olive oil is gonna make a mess. Skip it.

Get petromalt or something from a pet store. They make herbal/natural ones. Go to holistic pet/feed stores.

Answer 10

i am not sure if olive oil would work, i would mix it with her dry food, and she might eat it. or i would put a little in her wet food. hope it works, if not, i would ask the vet for something that would work