how to help a cat throw up hairball?

Question

its obvious to see that my cat has a hairball that wont come out.

for a couple of days now, shes been throwing up and then stops, but when shes gonna throw up, it doesnt come out and then shes all happy again. Shes 13 years old, and shes sick...cause shes old, she has cancer and a large tumor, but that may have no effect on her throwing up. But its obvious to see she has a hair ball that won come out. is there a way i can help her get it out, or safley digest it?

thanks!

also the vet knows about the caner and tumor, shes the one who told us about it. Thanks

Answer 1

If it is very large it may not be possible for her to digest it. If it blocks the instestinal tract she could get impacted. This would be bad. I would call your vet and discuss options. She does not sound like a good candidate for anesthesia in order to remove it surgically.
You may have some degree of sucess with some of the hairball remedies availible. These are a paste you place on the top of her paw (This will encourage her to lick it off) and will lube the hairball so to speak....
good luck

Answer 2

No it's perfectly fine. My 3 year old cat Mocha has never coughed up a hairball and only threw up 1 time,but my other cat Missy almost everyday with the hairballs. I think some cats just have a easier time digesting their hair than certain cats.

Answer 3

You could try giving her a little mineral oil, which should "bind" the hairball and make it easier to pass. However, if her tumor is in her stomach or her throat, that may be the problem. Why don't you call (or go to) your vet, explain what's going on, and see what the vet tells you to do. Vets are a lot more educated on things like this than the people on this site, even though we do the best we can. Good luck.............

Answer 4

Yes, and its a simple way:
Go to the vet!

If your cat has cancer and a tumor, it could be something serious. If its a bad hairball and she cant get it up, theres a chance that there's a real problem. Most cats have hairballs without problems. Also, a hairball care food diet would help, I'm sure.

Answer 5

This may not be a hairball, but if it is, you can help her dislodge it and move it through by going to the pet supply store and buying a tube of Petromalt. Read the instructions on the box. You just get an appropriate length ribbon of Petromalt from the tube, smear it on her paw, let her lick it off. The Petromalt contains a petrolatum based grease that helps her dislodge the hairball and get it moving on through.

Answer 6

If you go to Walmart or Petco, there's a section with cat snacks that are hairball remedy formulas. You can also take a little bit of vaseline and rub it on their front paws, which of course they lick off. It helps minimize the hairballs, for some reason, and it's nontoxic so it's safe.

Answer 7

I really don't know of a way to make her throw up the hair ball specificly. However, If she is that old with so many health problems maybe hairballs is the least of her worries right now. She may really be suffering right now. Its time for you to start seriously thinking about if you should be selfish and keep her around, suffering or not, for your own company or let her go to kitty heaven. Hard decision to make. I know.

Answer 8

Try to give her a little butter, regular butter...not margrine,
let it get soft and let her lick it, I give my kitties butter at least once a week, they dont even get hairballs.

Answer 9

Not everyone can afford a vet and it does not mean we love are cats any less!

Answer 10

our vet gave us some kind of molasses-type stuff to feed the cat. i think it's called cat-lax or something. works like a charm.