Hairballs
Question:
>I think my cat has a hairball as I’ve been gone and I don’t think my >catsitter combed her everday like I do. She is trying to throw up for the >last few days but nothing comes out. I bought some hairball remedy which >she seems to like, will this disolve it or just prevent more hair balls >from forming? >thanks >I thik my kitty does as well. He coughs but nothing happens. i was
toldthat a little margarine from my finger will help loosen everyting up if he reallyneeds to get it up, but I don’t know that much about hariballs. Can they hurt him in any way? Please help/ ithaca92
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> >I think my cat has a hairball as I’ve been gone and I don’t think my > >catsitter combed her everday like I do. She is trying to throw up for > the > >last few days but nothing comes out. I bought some hairball remedy which > >she seems to like, will this disolve it or just prevent more hair balls > >from forming? > >thanks > >I thik my kitty does as well. He coughs but nothing happens. i was > toldthat a little margarine from my finger will help loosen everyting up > if he reallyneeds to get it up, but I don’t know that much about > hariballs. Can they hurt him in any way? Please help/ > ithaca92 >On the back of the tube of hairball remedy I have it’s used for both >treatment and prevention. If the hairball is there already, my >brother-in-law, who is a vet, says it should pass as a bowel movement. >A lot of times however, they do throw them up.
This may sound gross, but what does one look like ithaca92
Response:
I think my cat has a hairball as I’ve been gone and I don’t think my catsitter combed her everday like I do. She is trying to throw up for the last few days but nothing comes out. I bought some hairball remedy which she seems to like, will this disolve it or just prevent more hair balls from forming? thanks
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I think my cat has a hairball as I’ve been gone and I don’t think my >catsitter combed her everday like I do. She is trying to throw up for > the >last few days but nothing comes out. I bought some hairball remedy which >she seems to like, will this disolve it or just prevent more hair balls >from forming? >thanks >I thik my kitty does as well. He coughs but nothing happens. i was > toldthat a little margarine from my finger will help loosen everyting up > if he reallyneeds to get it up, but I don’t know that much about > hariballs. Can they hurt him in any way? Please help/ > ithaca92
On the back of the tube of hairball remedy I have it’s used for both treatment and prevention. If the hairball is there already, my brother-in-law, who is a vet, says it should pass as a bowel movement. A lot of times however, they do throw them up.
Response:
Ivy, Just out of curiosity, when your cat coughs, does he cough up a hairball or vomit? If not, there is a possibility that your cat may have a heart condition. It sounds as though he is panting after the cough. Please consider seeing your vet ASAP and describing the symptoms as you have here. Heart disease in cats is a silent killer, and often shows virtually no signs at all. Sometimes, it shows up as what you describe. Good luck to you and your kitty – the other posts here have answered your request for hairball info. Laura > I have a cat who grooms himself too much and I think he has hairballs. > Occasionally he coughs and his breathing gets shallow for a while but then > he goes back to normal. I have tried every OTC hairball remedy (petromalt, > fish-flavored gel, capsules) but he won’t touch any of them. > I want to know if anyone has tried the new dry foods that are supposed to > aid in the elimination of hairballs, like Science Diet and Nutro. Any > success stories? Thanks! > Ivy
Before you buy.
Response:
I have a cat who grooms himself too much and I think he has hairballs. Occasionally he coughs and his breathing gets shallow for a while but then he goes back to normal. I have tried every OTC hairball remedy (petromalt, fish-flavored gel, capsules) but he won’t touch any of them. I want to know if anyone has tried the new dry foods that are supposed to aid in the elimination of hairballs, like Science Diet and Nutro. Any success stories? Thanks! Ivy
Response:
Science Diet has worked great for some people, but for others including me, it made the problem worse. I think for the BAD hairballers, it makes it worse, but for those who only have a slight problem… it will work. My chronic hairballer started vomitting more of them around the house. One of my cats is on the Nutro Remedy, and it works good. It also makes them shed less.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have a cat who grooms himself too much and I think he has hairballs. > Occasionally he coughs and his breathing gets shallow for a while but then > he goes back to normal. I have tried every OTC hairball remedy (petromalt, > fish-flavored gel, capsules) but he won’t touch any of them. > I want to know if anyone has tried the new dry foods that are supposed to > aid in the elimination of hairballs, like Science Diet and Nutro. Any > success stories? Thanks! > Ivy
Response:
One of my cats has had problems with hairballs and wouldn’t touch Laxitone or Petromalt either. My vet recommended spreading the remedy onto the top of the cat’s front paws. Then she’ll lick it off. The cat still doesn’t like it, but doing it 2x a week has totally taken care of the hairballs and she’s only mad at me for 5 minutes or so. I would recommend spreading it VERY thin because otherwise you end up with blobs of the stuff all over when the kitty shakes its paws. I haven’t tried the hairball food so I can’t comment on that. If the food isn’t helpful, then try my suggestion. Debbie Berry – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I have a cat who grooms himself too much and I think he has hairballs. > Occasionally he coughs and his breathing gets shallow for a while but then > he goes back to normal. I have tried every OTC hairball remedy (petromalt, > fish-flavored gel, capsules) but he won’t touch any of them. > I want to know if anyone has tried the new dry foods that are supposed to > aid in the elimination of hairballs, like Science Diet and Nutro. Any > success stories? Thanks! > Ivy
Response:
I’ve only cleaned up 2 hairballs in the last month since I started using Iams hairball control.. the usual was at least one hairball a day.
Response:
I don’t know if this will work for your cats, but I add a small (and I mean small) amount of psyllium to their food daily (they eat canned, and I add all sorts of stuff to it to make it healthier.) I get the psyllium in the health food store, in the bulk section, so it doesn’t have sugar, artificial colors etc. like what you get when you buy Metamucil. It seems to increase the motility of their digestive system, which means it hurries things through, including hairballs. Petromalt works, but I wouldn’t want to use it regularly because I think it has ingredients in it that might decrease absorption of nutrients in food. Psyllium doesn’t do anything like that, but too much will cause diarrhea. For five cats I use a quarter teaspoon. Christine (remove the "8" to send e-mail)
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Our 9 month old cat just threw up her first hairball, my aren’t we proud. Anyway, it’s been a few years since I owned a cat and I wonder if there is anything better now than the Petromalt I used to give my Persian cat. Is it possible to alleviate hairballs by adding something to the diet, maybe some kind of oil or butter? Are commercial hairball medicines detrimental to cats in any way (such as preventing the absorption of any nutrients?). I comb her frequently (she is a Birman) and I haven’t seen much shedding so I was actually somewhat surprised that she is already getting hairballs at what I consider a relatively young age. Any comments or advice? -yngver
Response:
> Our 9 month old cat just threw up her first hairball, my aren’t we > proud. Anyway, it’s been a few years since I owned a cat and I wonder > if there is anything better now than the Petromalt I used to give my > Persian cat. Is it possible to alleviate hairballs by adding something > to the diet, maybe some kind of oil or butter? Are commercial hairball > medicines detrimental to cats in any way (such as preventing the > absorption of any nutrients?). I comb her frequently (she is a Birman) > and I haven’t seen much shedding so I was actually somewhat surprised > that she is already getting hairballs at what I consider a relatively > young age. Any comments or advice?
Lately I’ve been using psyllium fiber added to my cats’ food — I began because my little Norton has chronic problems with constipation, then gave some to Lionel to see if it *would* help. It does. There are dry hairball preps on the market now, that are basically just fiber, which is why I thought to try it. It’s not perfect, but then, the goo never was either. Hairball preps are basically laxatives, designed to help anything in the intestines make a smooth exit — this is true of the goo, and the fiber. The gel products are flavored white petrolatum, which (in my experience at any rate) is a stronger laxative than fiber, so I’d really rather use it for constipation rather than hairballs. I don’t know that any of these preps cause malabsorption — I’d say not, unless you overdo it and poor kitty is, ahem, cleaned out. Lionel has always gotten hairballs, too, without ever seeming to shed all that much. He doesn’t tangle much either, which is a blessing in a cat with three to four-inch fur. Just recently I’ve started using a "Zoom Groom" on him — it’s a brush made of widely spaced long soft rub- ber nubs — and I’ve been pleased with the results, including a reduc- tion in hairballs. The rubber nubs grip and strip his fur without pul- ling, and he likes it well enough to allow me to use it on his belly without much of a struggle. Stacy Scott
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> I love the zoom groom as well. Has cut back on hairballs, plus holden, my > boy-loves it! > ithaca92
What is this, that type of glove I have seen that is supposed to remove dead hairs from pets? Is this available in pet stores? -yngver
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> > I love the zoom groom as well. Has cut back on hairballs, plus holden, my > boy-loves it! > ithaca92 > What is this, that type of glove I have seen that is supposed to remove > dead hairs from pets? Is this available in pet stores?
No, it’s not a glove. The cat version (there’s a dog version too) is a little cat-shaped brush in blue flexible rubber (or whatever rubber sub- stitute is being used). It’s been available in all the pet supply shops I’ve gone to — living in San Francisco, these have been Sammy’s Pet World, Animal Crackers, and Pet Express. Stacy Scott
Response:
Spot and Willie love vaseline and won’t touch the hair ball remedy. They lick it off q-tips. They also get brushed daily with a shedding tool that I am sure cuts down on the hair they ingest. Jean – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >A friend of mine told me that if you put a little bit of vaseline on >your cat’s paw, when he licks it off it will help him to pass hairballs. >Has anyone else heard of this? Is it safe? >Before you buy.
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I’ve heard the same thing. There are also some over the counter remedies you can get at the pet store. You may want to try those. Sue – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > A friend of mine told me that if you put a little bit of vaseline on > your cat’s paw, when he licks it off it will help him to pass hairballs. > Has anyone else heard of this? Is it safe? > Before you buy.
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I agree with Sue. The ones you by at the store are a little more palatable, chicken flavor I believe. But if I remember correctly, they have the same base as Vaseline. Gene – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I’ve heard the same thing. There are also some over the counter > remedies you can get at the pet store. You may want to try those. > Sue > A friend of mine told me that if you put a little bit of vaseline on > your cat’s paw, when he licks it off it will help him to pass hairballs. > Has anyone else heard of this? Is it safe? > Before you buy.
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Thank you all for your help. I have now started brushing him everyday. You might also go to Petsmart (or similar) and get a small soft slicker (grooming tool). This one grabls loose hair plus frees snarls and mats.
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On a side note, we had a cat with a suspected intestinal blockage…the vet recommended to put a dab of Vaseline on his nose, which he would then lick off, to lubricate his insides and allow passage of the blockage (which either worked or there was no blockage). We then discovered that the cat LOVES Vaseline and would simply lick it off our finger. Since then, we’ll occasionally give him some if he appears to be having trouble coughing up a hairball, or the remains of his latest bird-kill.
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I find a stiff brush rather than a soft brush does a better job getting the loose fur and they seem to prefer the fact that they get bristles down near their skin that give it a petting/scratching type of feel to them. Good luck. Larry Osborne
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi again! > Thank you all for your help. I have now started brushing him everyday. I > was trying to do so a while ago, but he hated that. Now I’ve started > playing with him, before, while and after I brush him so he likes that. And > I give him treats too. He has now started to purr while I brush him, > probably because we have quality time together when I do that. He’s a happy > little kitty! > If you want to see pictures of him, here’s his webpage : > http://www.geocities.com/chanie_ > The content is in french, but you don’t need to now french to be able to see > the pictures. Just click on the "Photos" button under his picture. There > are links to pictures of his brothers in the first page if you click on the > link in the page. > Thanks again, > Annie and Chanie
Response:
A friend of mine told me that if you put a little bit of vaseline on your cat’s paw, when he licks it off it will help him to pass hairballs. Has anyone else heard of this? Is it safe? Before you buy.
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> > If you put the hairball medicine on the front leg – be careful. I did > that with Ike once and he promptly shook his leg and I got the stuff in > my eye. Make sure you spread it out well.
Ya, this happened to me too. Got it all over me, the rug and the couch. My solution is to put it on MY paw…lol…..and he licks it off willingly! — :~) ann You have brains in your head.You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself, any direction you choose. You’re on your own, and you know what you know And you’re the one who’ll decide where to go. Dr. Seuss
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Hi again! Thank you all for your help. I have now started brushing him everyday. I was trying to do so a while ago, but he hated that. Now I’ve started playing with him, before, while and after I brush him so he likes that. And I give him treats too. He has now started to purr while I brush him, probably because we have quality time together when I do that. He’s a happy little kitty! If you want to see pictures of him, here’s his webpage : http://www.geocities.com/chanie_ The content is in french, but you don’t need to now french to be able to see the pictures. Just click on the "Photos" button under his picture. There are links to pictures of his brothers in the first page if you click on the link in the page. Thanks again, Annie and Chanie
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I don’t recommend the Science Diet Hairball Remedy. It made my kitty worse. If you’re going to go for a food, go for the Nutro Hairball Remedy. I find it works the best out of all of them. If your kitty doesn’t like the hairball stuff in the tube, try out the Jamieson PetCare Furball Buster. It’s a powder you sprinkle over their food, and most cats eat it right up. It’s especially effective if mixed with a little canned food. You can order it online if you live in the US at: http://www.jamiesonvitamins.com Good luck! Kelly – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi, > My cat is almost two years old and he has vomitted hairballs three times in > the last two weeks. Usually, he does that once a month, but he has long > hair. Should I be worried and take him to the vet? I give him hairball > medicine but he hates it so he doesn’t get a lot. I thought about getting > him some hairball food formulation, but I don’t know which brand is the > best. > Thanks, > Annie
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If you put the hairball medicine on the front leg – be careful. I did that with Ike once and he promptly shook his leg and I got the stuff in my eye. Make sure you spread it out well. -MIKE
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My cat, or course the one that needs it the most, does the same thing. Others love the stuff and will eat it/beg for it. Not the orange kid. He’ll send it flying. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > If you put the hairball medicine on the front leg – be careful. I did > that with Ike once and he promptly shook his leg and I got the stuff in > my eye. Make sure you spread it out well. > -MIKE
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LOL! Sorry I couldn’t contain my laughter thinking of you trying to clean the stuff out of your eye. hahaha. Ouch! Kelly – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > If you put the hairball medicine on the front leg – be careful. I did > that with Ike once and he promptly shook his leg and I got the stuff in > my eye. Make sure you spread it out well. > -MIKE
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Sounds like my two. Peepers, longhair male, liked the stuff the first time he tried it and would take it and even beg for it as would Smudge, shorthaired female. However, after a severe hairball blockage this spring Peepers decided the stuff could not be eaten, Smudge still begs for it. Now the routine is fill a spoon with Laxatone take it to Peepers and present it to him. As soon as he scents it (either flavor), I get to see his rear end racing away a hiding spot (occasionally he will run as soon as he sees the spoon). Give the Laxatone to the now begging Smudge. Fill another spoon for Peepers after a half hour and he is out of hiding. Put the spoon down and hide it so Smudge won’t eat it. Go get Peepers and pick him up. Carry Peepers to the DREADED SPOON and use the spoon to spread the gunk thinly over his front legs so that he has to clean it off. Watch Peeper go off shaking his paws with every step at this disgusting turn of events. After two hours Peepers will reappear on the far side of the room from me with legs clean and for the next 3 hours or so that is as close as he will get. Most of the time now I just give up and use the other means that seem to be keeping the hairballs at bay. Larry Osborne – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > My cat, or course the one that needs it the most, does > the same thing. Others love the stuff and will eat it/beg for it. > Not the orange kid. He’ll send it flying. > If you put the hairball medicine on the front leg – be careful. I did > that with Ike once and he promptly shook his leg and I got the stuff in > my eye. Make sure you spread it out well. > -MIKE
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Hi, My cat is almost two years old and he has vomitted hairballs three times in the last two weeks. Usually, he does that once a month, but he has long hair. Should I be worried and take him to the vet? I give him hairball medicine but he hates it so he doesn’t get a lot. I thought about getting him some hairball food formulation, but I don’t know which brand is the best. Thanks, Annie
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Since your cat has long hair, brush your cat every day. This will help get rid of the fur that your cat is ingesting when he grooms himself and then vomits up as a hairball. This in combination with the hairball medicine should help. I myself have not tried the food for preventing hairballs. Sue – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi, > My cat is almost two years old and he has vomitted hairballs three times in > the last two weeks. Usually, he does that once a month, but he has long > hair. Should I be worried and take him to the vet? I give him hairball > medicine but he hates it so he doesn’t get a lot. I thought about getting > him some hairball food formulation, but I don’t know which brand is the > best. > Thanks, > Annie
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My cat is almost two years old and he has vomitted hairballs three times in the last two weeks. Hi Annie, put some petroleum jelly on a front leg every 2 – 3 days or
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>My 2year old cat has in the last week started coughing frequently. At first >I just figured he was having trouble hacking up a hairball, but now I’m a >bit worried. I started him on hairball medicine, but he has a gurgling >noise after he’s been coughing, sorta like when you’ve got really bad >congestion in your lungs, or pneumonia. Does a hairball give cats gas or >bubbles in their lungs, or might this be something more serious like asthma >or worse?
A cat’s coughing and bringing up hairballs don’t sound remotely alike. Bringing up hairballs sounds like preparing to vomit. Coughing sounds like wheezing and coughing. While your cat could conceivably have aspirated some vomit, it is much more likely that he’s coughing from some other repiratory problem, asthma, allergies, pneumonia…. — "There’s a seeker born every minute."
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My 2year old cat has in the last week started coughing frequently. At first I just figured he was having trouble hacking up a hairball, but now I’m a bit worried. I started him on hairball medicine, but he has a gurgling noise after he’s been coughing, sorta like when you’ve got really bad congestion in your lungs, or pneumonia. Does a hairball give cats gas or bubbles in their lungs, or might this be something more serious like asthma or worse? — The opinions expressed in this message are my own views not the official views of Microsoft.
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> My 2year old cat has in the last week started coughing frequently. At first > I just figured he was having trouble hacking up a hairball, but now I’m a > bit worried. I started him on hairball medicine, but he has a gurgling > noise after he’s been coughing, sorta like when you’ve got really bad > congestion in your lungs, or pneumonia. Does a hairball give cats gas or > bubbles in their lungs, or might this be something more serious like asthma > or worse?
It’s possible that, which trying to hack up a hairball, he aspirated some of the hair into his lungs. This can set up an aspiration pneumonia which is, of course, pretty bad. Usually I’d consider any lower respiratory (ie: lungs) problem relatively serious and encourage you to get to your vet ASAP. Erik "Rouleaux" Hofmeister WSU Class ‘00 PLEASE NOTE: In the absence of a traditional veterinarian-client-patient relationship, this information should be taken as a friendly opinion, not as an official clinical recommendation. Also realize that I am a veterinary student, and anything stated should be taken with that in mind.
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>I think my cat has a hairball as I’ve been gone and I don’t think my >catsitter combed her everday like I do. She is trying to throw up for the >last few days but nothing comes out. I bought some hairball remedy which >she seems to like, will this disolve it or just prevent more hair balls >from forming? >thanks >I thik my kitty does as well. He coughs but nothing happens. i was
toldthat a little margarine from my finger will help loosen everyting up if he reallyneeds to get it up, but I don’t know that much about hariballs. Can they hurt him in any way? Please help/ ithaca92
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> >I think my cat has a hairball as I’ve been gone and I don’t think my > >catsitter combed her everday like I do. She is trying to throw up for > the > >last few days but nothing comes out. I bought some hairball remedy which > >she seems to like, will this disolve it or just prevent more hair balls > >from forming? > >thanks > >I thik my kitty does as well. He coughs but nothing happens. i was > toldthat a little margarine from my finger will help loosen everyting up > if he reallyneeds to get it up, but I don’t know that much about > hariballs. Can they hurt him in any way? Please help/ > ithaca92 >On the back of the tube of hairball remedy I have it’s used for both >treatment and prevention. If the hairball is there already, my >brother-in-law, who is a vet, says it should pass as a bowel movement. >A lot of times however, they do throw them up.
This may sound gross, but what does one look like ithaca92
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I think my cat has a hairball as I’ve been gone and I don’t think my catsitter combed her everday like I do. She is trying to throw up for the last few days but nothing comes out. I bought some hairball remedy which she seems to like, will this disolve it or just prevent more hair balls from forming? thanks
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I think my cat has a hairball as I’ve been gone and I don’t think my >catsitter combed her everday like I do. She is trying to throw up for > the >last few days but nothing comes out. I bought some hairball remedy which >she seems to like, will this disolve it or just prevent more hair balls >from forming? >thanks >I thik my kitty does as well. He coughs but nothing happens. i was > toldthat a little margarine from my finger will help loosen everyting up > if he reallyneeds to get it up, but I don’t know that much about > hariballs. Can they hurt him in any way? Please help/ > ithaca92
On the back of the tube of hairball remedy I have it’s used for both treatment and prevention. If the hairball is there already, my brother-in-law, who is a vet, says it should pass as a bowel movement. A lot of times however, they do throw them up.
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Ivy, Just out of curiosity, when your cat coughs, does he cough up a hairball or vomit? If not, there is a possibility that your cat may have a heart condition. It sounds as though he is panting after the cough. Please consider seeing your vet ASAP and describing the symptoms as you have here. Heart disease in cats is a silent killer, and often shows virtually no signs at all. Sometimes, it shows up as what you describe. Good luck to you and your kitty – the other posts here have answered your request for hairball info. Laura > I have a cat who grooms himself too much and I think he has hairballs. > Occasionally he coughs and his breathing gets shallow for a while but then > he goes back to normal. I have tried every OTC hairball remedy (petromalt, > fish-flavored gel, capsules) but he won’t touch any of them. > I want to know if anyone has tried the new dry foods that are supposed to > aid in the elimination of hairballs, like Science Diet and Nutro. Any > success stories? Thanks! > Ivy
Before you buy.
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I have a cat who grooms himself too much and I think he has hairballs. Occasionally he coughs and his breathing gets shallow for a while but then he goes back to normal. I have tried every OTC hairball remedy (petromalt, fish-flavored gel, capsules) but he won’t touch any of them. I want to know if anyone has tried the new dry foods that are supposed to aid in the elimination of hairballs, like Science Diet and Nutro. Any success stories? Thanks! Ivy
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Science Diet has worked great for some people, but for others including me, it made the problem worse. I think for the BAD hairballers, it makes it worse, but for those who only have a slight problem… it will work. My chronic hairballer started vomitting more of them around the house. One of my cats is on the Nutro Remedy, and it works good. It also makes them shed less.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have a cat who grooms himself too much and I think he has hairballs. > Occasionally he coughs and his breathing gets shallow for a while but then > he goes back to normal. I have tried every OTC hairball remedy (petromalt, > fish-flavored gel, capsules) but he won’t touch any of them. > I want to know if anyone has tried the new dry foods that are supposed to > aid in the elimination of hairballs, like Science Diet and Nutro. Any > success stories? Thanks! > Ivy
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One of my cats has had problems with hairballs and wouldn’t touch Laxitone or Petromalt either. My vet recommended spreading the remedy onto the top of the cat’s front paws. Then she’ll lick it off. The cat still doesn’t like it, but doing it 2x a week has totally taken care of the hairballs and she’s only mad at me for 5 minutes or so. I would recommend spreading it VERY thin because otherwise you end up with blobs of the stuff all over when the kitty shakes its paws. I haven’t tried the hairball food so I can’t comment on that. If the food isn’t helpful, then try my suggestion. Debbie Berry – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I have a cat who grooms himself too much and I think he has hairballs. > Occasionally he coughs and his breathing gets shallow for a while but then > he goes back to normal. I have tried every OTC hairball remedy (petromalt, > fish-flavored gel, capsules) but he won’t touch any of them. > I want to know if anyone has tried the new dry foods that are supposed to > aid in the elimination of hairballs, like Science Diet and Nutro. Any > success stories? Thanks! > Ivy
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I’ve only cleaned up 2 hairballs in the last month since I started using Iams hairball control.. the usual was at least one hairball a day.
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I don’t know if this will work for your cats, but I add a small (and I mean small) amount of psyllium to their food daily (they eat canned, and I add all sorts of stuff to it to make it healthier.) I get the psyllium in the health food store, in the bulk section, so it doesn’t have sugar, artificial colors etc. like what you get when you buy Metamucil. It seems to increase the motility of their digestive system, which means it hurries things through, including hairballs. Petromalt works, but I wouldn’t want to use it regularly because I think it has ingredients in it that might decrease absorption of nutrients in food. Psyllium doesn’t do anything like that, but too much will cause diarrhea. For five cats I use a quarter teaspoon. Christine (remove the "8" to send e-mail)
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Our 9 month old cat just threw up her first hairball, my aren’t we proud. Anyway, it’s been a few years since I owned a cat and I wonder if there is anything better now than the Petromalt I used to give my Persian cat. Is it possible to alleviate hairballs by adding something to the diet, maybe some kind of oil or butter? Are commercial hairball medicines detrimental to cats in any way (such as preventing the absorption of any nutrients?). I comb her frequently (she is a Birman) and I haven’t seen much shedding so I was actually somewhat surprised that she is already getting hairballs at what I consider a relatively young age. Any comments or advice? -yngver
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> Our 9 month old cat just threw up her first hairball, my aren’t we > proud. Anyway, it’s been a few years since I owned a cat and I wonder > if there is anything better now than the Petromalt I used to give my > Persian cat. Is it possible to alleviate hairballs by adding something > to the diet, maybe some kind of oil or butter? Are commercial hairball > medicines detrimental to cats in any way (such as preventing the > absorption of any nutrients?). I comb her frequently (she is a Birman) > and I haven’t seen much shedding so I was actually somewhat surprised > that she is already getting hairballs at what I consider a relatively > young age. Any comments or advice?
Lately I’ve been using psyllium fiber added to my cats’ food — I began because my little Norton has chronic problems with constipation, then gave some to Lionel to see if it *would* help. It does. There are dry hairball preps on the market now, that are basically just fiber, which is why I thought to try it. It’s not perfect, but then, the goo never was either. Hairball preps are basically laxatives, designed to help anything in the intestines make a smooth exit — this is true of the goo, and the fiber. The gel products are flavored white petrolatum, which (in my experience at any rate) is a stronger laxative than fiber, so I’d really rather use it for constipation rather than hairballs. I don’t know that any of these preps cause malabsorption — I’d say not, unless you overdo it and poor kitty is, ahem, cleaned out. Lionel has always gotten hairballs, too, without ever seeming to shed all that much. He doesn’t tangle much either, which is a blessing in a cat with three to four-inch fur. Just recently I’ve started using a "Zoom Groom" on him — it’s a brush made of widely spaced long soft rub- ber nubs — and I’ve been pleased with the results, including a reduc- tion in hairballs. The rubber nubs grip and strip his fur without pul- ling, and he likes it well enough to allow me to use it on his belly without much of a struggle. Stacy Scott
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> I love the zoom groom as well. Has cut back on hairballs, plus holden, my > boy-loves it! > ithaca92
What is this, that type of glove I have seen that is supposed to remove dead hairs from pets? Is this available in pet stores? -yngver
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> > I love the zoom groom as well. Has cut back on hairballs, plus holden, my > boy-loves it! > ithaca92 > What is this, that type of glove I have seen that is supposed to remove > dead hairs from pets? Is this available in pet stores?
No, it’s not a glove. The cat version (there’s a dog version too) is a little cat-shaped brush in blue flexible rubber (or whatever rubber sub- stitute is being used). It’s been available in all the pet supply shops I’ve gone to — living in San Francisco, these have been Sammy’s Pet World, Animal Crackers, and Pet Express. Stacy Scott
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Spot and Willie love vaseline and won’t touch the hair ball remedy. They lick it off q-tips. They also get brushed daily with a shedding tool that I am sure cuts down on the hair they ingest. Jean – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >A friend of mine told me that if you put a little bit of vaseline on >your cat’s paw, when he licks it off it will help him to pass hairballs. >Has anyone else heard of this? Is it safe? >Before you buy.
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I’ve heard the same thing. There are also some over the counter remedies you can get at the pet store. You may want to try those. Sue – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > A friend of mine told me that if you put a little bit of vaseline on > your cat’s paw, when he licks it off it will help him to pass hairballs. > Has anyone else heard of this? Is it safe? > Before you buy.
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I agree with Sue. The ones you by at the store are a little more palatable, chicken flavor I believe. But if I remember correctly, they have the same base as Vaseline. Gene – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I’ve heard the same thing. There are also some over the counter > remedies you can get at the pet store. You may want to try those. > Sue > A friend of mine told me that if you put a little bit of vaseline on > your cat’s paw, when he licks it off it will help him to pass hairballs. > Has anyone else heard of this? Is it safe? > Before you buy.
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Thank you all for your help. I have now started brushing him everyday. You might also go to Petsmart (or similar) and get a small soft slicker (grooming tool). This one grabls loose hair plus frees snarls and mats.
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On a side note, we had a cat with a suspected intestinal blockage…the vet recommended to put a dab of Vaseline on his nose, which he would then lick off, to lubricate his insides and allow passage of the blockage (which either worked or there was no blockage). We then discovered that the cat LOVES Vaseline and would simply lick it off our finger. Since then, we’ll occasionally give him some if he appears to be having trouble coughing up a hairball, or the remains of his latest bird-kill.
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I find a stiff brush rather than a soft brush does a better job getting the loose fur and they seem to prefer the fact that they get bristles down near their skin that give it a petting/scratching type of feel to them. Good luck. Larry Osborne
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi again! > Thank you all for your help. I have now started brushing him everyday. I > was trying to do so a while ago, but he hated that. Now I’ve started > playing with him, before, while and after I brush him so he likes that. And > I give him treats too. He has now started to purr while I brush him, > probably because we have quality time together when I do that. He’s a happy > little kitty! > If you want to see pictures of him, here’s his webpage : > http://www.geocities.com/chanie_ > The content is in french, but you don’t need to now french to be able to see > the pictures. Just click on the "Photos" button under his picture. There > are links to pictures of his brothers in the first page if you click on the > link in the page. > Thanks again, > Annie and Chanie
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A friend of mine told me that if you put a little bit of vaseline on your cat’s paw, when he licks it off it will help him to pass hairballs. Has anyone else heard of this? Is it safe? Before you buy.
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> > If you put the hairball medicine on the front leg – be careful. I did > that with Ike once and he promptly shook his leg and I got the stuff in > my eye. Make sure you spread it out well.
Ya, this happened to me too. Got it all over me, the rug and the couch. My solution is to put it on MY paw…lol…..and he licks it off willingly! — :~) ann You have brains in your head.You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself, any direction you choose. You’re on your own, and you know what you know And you’re the one who’ll decide where to go. Dr. Seuss
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Hi again! Thank you all for your help. I have now started brushing him everyday. I was trying to do so a while ago, but he hated that. Now I’ve started playing with him, before, while and after I brush him so he likes that. And I give him treats too. He has now started to purr while I brush him, probably because we have quality time together when I do that. He’s a happy little kitty! If you want to see pictures of him, here’s his webpage : http://www.geocities.com/chanie_ The content is in french, but you don’t need to now french to be able to see the pictures. Just click on the "Photos" button under his picture. There are links to pictures of his brothers in the first page if you click on the link in the page. Thanks again, Annie and Chanie
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I don’t recommend the Science Diet Hairball Remedy. It made my kitty worse. If you’re going to go for a food, go for the Nutro Hairball Remedy. I find it works the best out of all of them. If your kitty doesn’t like the hairball stuff in the tube, try out the Jamieson PetCare Furball Buster. It’s a powder you sprinkle over their food, and most cats eat it right up. It’s especially effective if mixed with a little canned food. You can order it online if you live in the US at: http://www.jamiesonvitamins.com Good luck! Kelly – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi, > My cat is almost two years old and he has vomitted hairballs three times in > the last two weeks. Usually, he does that once a month, but he has long > hair. Should I be worried and take him to the vet? I give him hairball > medicine but he hates it so he doesn’t get a lot. I thought about getting > him some hairball food formulation, but I don’t know which brand is the > best. > Thanks, > Annie
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If you put the hairball medicine on the front leg – be careful. I did that with Ike once and he promptly shook his leg and I got the stuff in my eye. Make sure you spread it out well. -MIKE
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My cat, or course the one that needs it the most, does the same thing. Others love the stuff and will eat it/beg for it. Not the orange kid. He’ll send it flying. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > If you put the hairball medicine on the front leg – be careful. I did > that with Ike once and he promptly shook his leg and I got the stuff in > my eye. Make sure you spread it out well. > -MIKE
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LOL! Sorry I couldn’t contain my laughter thinking of you trying to clean the stuff out of your eye. hahaha. Ouch! Kelly – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > If you put the hairball medicine on the front leg – be careful. I did > that with Ike once and he promptly shook his leg and I got the stuff in > my eye. Make sure you spread it out well. > -MIKE
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Sounds like my two. Peepers, longhair male, liked the stuff the first time he tried it and would take it and even beg for it as would Smudge, shorthaired female. However, after a severe hairball blockage this spring Peepers decided the stuff could not be eaten, Smudge still begs for it. Now the routine is fill a spoon with Laxatone take it to Peepers and present it to him. As soon as he scents it (either flavor), I get to see his rear end racing away a hiding spot (occasionally he will run as soon as he sees the spoon). Give the Laxatone to the now begging Smudge. Fill another spoon for Peepers after a half hour and he is out of hiding. Put the spoon down and hide it so Smudge won’t eat it. Go get Peepers and pick him up. Carry Peepers to the DREADED SPOON and use the spoon to spread the gunk thinly over his front legs so that he has to clean it off. Watch Peeper go off shaking his paws with every step at this disgusting turn of events. After two hours Peepers will reappear on the far side of the room from me with legs clean and for the next 3 hours or so that is as close as he will get. Most of the time now I just give up and use the other means that seem to be keeping the hairballs at bay. Larry Osborne – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > My cat, or course the one that needs it the most, does > the same thing. Others love the stuff and will eat it/beg for it. > Not the orange kid. He’ll send it flying. > If you put the hairball medicine on the front leg – be careful. I did > that with Ike once and he promptly shook his leg and I got the stuff in > my eye. Make sure you spread it out well. > -MIKE
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Hi, My cat is almost two years old and he has vomitted hairballs three times in the last two weeks. Usually, he does that once a month, but he has long hair. Should I be worried and take him to the vet? I give him hairball medicine but he hates it so he doesn’t get a lot. I thought about getting him some hairball food formulation, but I don’t know which brand is the best. Thanks, Annie
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Since your cat has long hair, brush your cat every day. This will help get rid of the fur that your cat is ingesting when he grooms himself and then vomits up as a hairball. This in combination with the hairball medicine should help. I myself have not tried the food for preventing hairballs. Sue – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi, > My cat is almost two years old and he has vomitted hairballs three times in > the last two weeks. Usually, he does that once a month, but he has long > hair. Should I be worried and take him to the vet? I give him hairball > medicine but he hates it so he doesn’t get a lot. I thought about getting > him some hairball food formulation, but I don’t know which brand is the > best. > Thanks, > Annie
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My cat is almost two years old and he has vomitted hairballs three times in the last two weeks. Hi Annie, put some petroleum jelly on a front leg every 2 – 3 days or
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>My 2year old cat has in the last week started coughing frequently. At first >I just figured he was having trouble hacking up a hairball, but now I’m a >bit worried. I started him on hairball medicine, but he has a gurgling >noise after he’s been coughing, sorta like when you’ve got really bad >congestion in your lungs, or pneumonia. Does a hairball give cats gas or >bubbles in their lungs, or might this be something more serious like asthma >or worse?
A cat’s coughing and bringing up hairballs don’t sound remotely alike. Bringing up hairballs sounds like preparing to vomit. Coughing sounds like wheezing and coughing. While your cat could conceivably have aspirated some vomit, it is much more likely that he’s coughing from some other repiratory problem, asthma, allergies, pneumonia…. — "There’s a seeker born every minute."
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My 2year old cat has in the last week started coughing frequently. At first I just figured he was having trouble hacking up a hairball, but now I’m a bit worried. I started him on hairball medicine, but he has a gurgling noise after he’s been coughing, sorta like when you’ve got really bad congestion in your lungs, or pneumonia. Does a hairball give cats gas or bubbles in their lungs, or might this be something more serious like asthma or worse? — The opinions expressed in this message are my own views not the official views of Microsoft.
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> My 2year old cat has in the last week started coughing frequently. At first > I just figured he was having trouble hacking up a hairball, but now I’m a > bit worried. I started him on hairball medicine, but he has a gurgling > noise after he’s been coughing, sorta like when you’ve got really bad > congestion in your lungs, or pneumonia. Does a hairball give cats gas or > bubbles in their lungs, or might this be something more serious like asthma > or worse?
It’s possible that, which trying to hack up a hairball, he aspirated some of the hair into his lungs. This can set up an aspiration pneumonia which is, of course, pretty bad. Usually I’d consider any lower respiratory (ie: lungs) problem relatively serious and encourage you to get to your vet ASAP. Erik "Rouleaux" Hofmeister WSU Class ‘00 PLEASE NOTE: In the absence of a traditional veterinarian-client-patient relationship, this information should be taken as a friendly opinion, not as an official clinical recommendation. Also realize that I am a veterinary student, and anything stated should be taken with that in mind.
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>I think my cat has a hairball as I’ve been gone and I don’t think my >catsitter combed her everday like I do. She is trying to throw up for the >last few days but nothing comes out. I bought some hairball remedy which >she seems to like, will this disolve it or just prevent more hair balls >from forming? >thanks >I thik my kitty does as well. He coughs but nothing happens. i was
toldthat a little margarine from my finger will help loosen everyting up if he reallyneeds to get it up, but I don’t know that much about hariballs. Can they hurt him in any way? Please help/ ithaca92
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> >I think my cat has a hairball as I’ve been gone and I don’t think my > >catsitter combed her everday like I do. She is trying to throw up for > the > >last few days but nothing comes out. I bought some hairball remedy which > >she seems to like, will this disolve it or just prevent more hair balls > >from forming? > >thanks > >I thik my kitty does as well. He coughs but nothing happens. i was > toldthat a little margarine from my finger will help loosen everyting up > if he reallyneeds to get it up, but I don’t know that much about > hariballs. Can they hurt him in any way? Please help/ > ithaca92 >On the back of the tube of hairball remedy I have it’s used for both >treatment and prevention. If the hairball is there already, my >brother-in-law, who is a vet, says it should pass as a bowel movement. >A lot of times however, they do throw them up.
This may sound gross, but what does one look like ithaca92
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I think my cat has a hairball as I’ve been gone and I don’t think my catsitter combed her everday like I do. She is trying to throw up for the last few days but nothing comes out. I bought some hairball remedy which she seems to like, will this disolve it or just prevent more hair balls from forming? thanks
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I think my cat has a hairball as I’ve been gone and I don’t think my >catsitter combed her everday like I do. She is trying to throw up for > the >last few days but nothing comes out. I bought some hairball remedy which >she seems to like, will this disolve it or just prevent more hair balls >from forming? >thanks >I thik my kitty does as well. He coughs but nothing happens. i was > toldthat a little margarine from my finger will help loosen everyting up > if he reallyneeds to get it up, but I don’t know that much about > hariballs. Can they hurt him in any way? Please help/ > ithaca92
On the back of the tube of hairball remedy I have it’s used for both treatment and prevention. If the hairball is there already, my brother-in-law, who is a vet, says it should pass as a bowel movement. A lot of times however, they do throw them up.
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Ivy, Just out of curiosity, when your cat coughs, does he cough up a hairball or vomit? If not, there is a possibility that your cat may have a heart condition. It sounds as though he is panting after the cough. Please consider seeing your vet ASAP and describing the symptoms as you have here. Heart disease in cats is a silent killer, and often shows virtually no signs at all. Sometimes, it shows up as what you describe. Good luck to you and your kitty – the other posts here have answered your request for hairball info. Laura > I have a cat who grooms himself too much and I think he has hairballs. > Occasionally he coughs and his breathing gets shallow for a while but then > he goes back to normal. I have tried every OTC hairball remedy (petromalt, > fish-flavored gel, capsules) but he won’t touch any of them. > I want to know if anyone has tried the new dry foods that are supposed to > aid in the elimination of hairballs, like Science Diet and Nutro. Any > success stories? Thanks! > Ivy
Before you buy.
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I have a cat who grooms himself too much and I think he has hairballs. Occasionally he coughs and his breathing gets shallow for a while but then he goes back to normal. I have tried every OTC hairball remedy (petromalt, fish-flavored gel, capsules) but he won’t touch any of them. I want to know if anyone has tried the new dry foods that are supposed to aid in the elimination of hairballs, like Science Diet and Nutro. Any success stories? Thanks! Ivy
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Science Diet has worked great for some people, but for others including me, it made the problem worse. I think for the BAD hairballers, it makes it worse, but for those who only have a slight problem… it will work. My chronic hairballer started vomitting more of them around the house. One of my cats is on the Nutro Remedy, and it works good. It also makes them shed less.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have a cat who grooms himself too much and I think he has hairballs. > Occasionally he coughs and his breathing gets shallow for a while but then > he goes back to normal. I have tried every OTC hairball remedy (petromalt, > fish-flavored gel, capsules) but he won’t touch any of them. > I want to know if anyone has tried the new dry foods that are supposed to > aid in the elimination of hairballs, like Science Diet and Nutro. Any > success stories? Thanks! > Ivy
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One of my cats has had problems with hairballs and wouldn’t touch Laxitone or Petromalt either. My vet recommended spreading the remedy onto the top of the cat’s front paws. Then she’ll lick it off. The cat still doesn’t like it, but doing it 2x a week has totally taken care of the hairballs and she’s only mad at me for 5 minutes or so. I would recommend spreading it VERY thin because otherwise you end up with blobs of the stuff all over when the kitty shakes its paws. I haven’t tried the hairball food so I can’t comment on that. If the food isn’t helpful, then try my suggestion. Debbie Berry – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I have a cat who grooms himself too much and I think he has hairballs. > Occasionally he coughs and his breathing gets shallow for a while but then > he goes back to normal. I have tried every OTC hairball remedy (petromalt, > fish-flavored gel, capsules) but he won’t touch any of them. > I want to know if anyone has tried the new dry foods that are supposed to > aid in the elimination of hairballs, like Science Diet and Nutro. Any > success stories? Thanks! > Ivy
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I’ve only cleaned up 2 hairballs in the last month since I started using Iams hairball control.. the usual was at least one hairball a day.
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I don’t know if this will work for your cats, but I add a small (and I mean small) amount of psyllium to their food daily (they eat canned, and I add all sorts of stuff to it to make it healthier.) I get the psyllium in the health food store, in the bulk section, so it doesn’t have sugar, artificial colors etc. like what you get when you buy Metamucil. It seems to increase the motility of their digestive system, which means it hurries things through, including hairballs. Petromalt works, but I wouldn’t want to use it regularly because I think it has ingredients in it that might decrease absorption of nutrients in food. Psyllium doesn’t do anything like that, but too much will cause diarrhea. For five cats I use a quarter teaspoon. Christine (remove the "8" to send e-mail)
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Our 9 month old cat just threw up her first hairball, my aren’t we proud. Anyway, it’s been a few years since I owned a cat and I wonder if there is anything better now than the Petromalt I used to give my Persian cat. Is it possible to alleviate hairballs by adding something to the diet, maybe some kind of oil or butter? Are commercial hairball medicines detrimental to cats in any way (such as preventing the absorption of any nutrients?). I comb her frequently (she is a Birman) and I haven’t seen much shedding so I was actually somewhat surprised that she is already getting hairballs at what I consider a relatively young age. Any comments or advice? -yngver
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> Our 9 month old cat just threw up her first hairball, my aren’t we > proud. Anyway, it’s been a few years since I owned a cat and I wonder > if there is anything better now than the Petromalt I used to give my > Persian cat. Is it possible to alleviate hairballs by adding something > to the diet, maybe some kind of oil or butter? Are commercial hairball > medicines detrimental to cats in any way (such as preventing the > absorption of any nutrients?). I comb her frequently (she is a Birman) > and I haven’t seen much shedding so I was actually somewhat surprised > that she is already getting hairballs at what I consider a relatively > young age. Any comments or advice?
Lately I’ve been using psyllium fiber added to my cats’ food — I began because my little Norton has chronic problems with constipation, then gave some to Lionel to see if it *would* help. It does. There are dry hairball preps on the market now, that are basically just fiber, which is why I thought to try it. It’s not perfect, but then, the goo never was either. Hairball preps are basically laxatives, designed to help anything in the intestines make a smooth exit — this is true of the goo, and the fiber. The gel products are flavored white petrolatum, which (in my experience at any rate) is a stronger laxative than fiber, so I’d really rather use it for constipation rather than hairballs. I don’t know that any of these preps cause malabsorption — I’d say not, unless you overdo it and poor kitty is, ahem, cleaned out. Lionel has always gotten hairballs, too, without ever seeming to shed all that much. He doesn’t tangle much either, which is a blessing in a cat with three to four-inch fur. Just recently I’ve started using a "Zoom Groom" on him — it’s a brush made of widely spaced long soft rub- ber nubs — and I’ve been pleased with the results, including a reduc- tion in hairballs. The rubber nubs grip and strip his fur without pul- ling, and he likes it well enough to allow me to use it on his belly without much of a struggle. Stacy Scott
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> I love the zoom groom as well. Has cut back on hairballs, plus holden, my > boy-loves it! > ithaca92
What is this, that type of glove I have seen that is supposed to remove dead hairs from pets? Is this available in pet stores? -yngver
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> > I love the zoom groom as well. Has cut back on hairballs, plus holden, my > boy-loves it! > ithaca92 > What is this, that type of glove I have seen that is supposed to remove > dead hairs from pets? Is this available in pet stores?
No, it’s not a glove. The cat version (there’s a dog version too) is a little cat-shaped brush in blue flexible rubber (or whatever rubber sub- stitute is being used). It’s been available in all the pet supply shops I’ve gone to — living in San Francisco, these have been Sammy’s Pet World, Animal Crackers, and Pet Express. Stacy Scott
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Spot and Willie love vaseline and won’t touch the hair ball remedy. They lick it off q-tips. They also get brushed daily with a shedding tool that I am sure cuts down on the hair they ingest. Jean – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >A friend of mine told me that if you put a little bit of vaseline on >your cat’s paw, when he licks it off it will help him to pass hairballs. >Has anyone else heard of this? Is it safe? >Before you buy.
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I’ve heard the same thing. There are also some over the counter remedies you can get at the pet store. You may want to try those. Sue – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > A friend of mine told me that if you put a little bit of vaseline on > your cat’s paw, when he licks it off it will help him to pass hairballs. > Has anyone else heard of this? Is it safe? > Before you buy.
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I agree with Sue. The ones you by at the store are a little more palatable, chicken flavor I believe. But if I remember correctly, they have the same base as Vaseline. Gene – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I’ve heard the same thing. There are also some over the counter > remedies you can get at the pet store. You may want to try those. > Sue > A friend of mine told me that if you put a little bit of vaseline on > your cat’s paw, when he licks it off it will help him to pass hairballs. > Has anyone else heard of this? Is it safe? > Before you buy.
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Thank you all for your help. I have now started brushing him everyday. You might also go to Petsmart (or similar) and get a small soft slicker (grooming tool). This one grabls loose hair plus frees snarls and mats.
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On a side note, we had a cat with a suspected intestinal blockage…the vet recommended to put a dab of Vaseline on his nose, which he would then lick off, to lubricate his insides and allow passage of the blockage (which either worked or there was no blockage). We then discovered that the cat LOVES Vaseline and would simply lick it off our finger. Since then, we’ll occasionally give him some if he appears to be having trouble coughing up a hairball, or the remains of his latest bird-kill.
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I find a stiff brush rather than a soft brush does a better job getting the loose fur and they seem to prefer the fact that they get bristles down near their skin that give it a petting/scratching type of feel to them. Good luck. Larry Osborne
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi again! > Thank you all for your help. I have now started brushing him everyday. I > was trying to do so a while ago, but he hated that. Now I’ve started > playing with him, before, while and after I brush him so he likes that. And > I give him treats too. He has now started to purr while I brush him, > probably because we have quality time together when I do that. He’s a happy > little kitty! > If you want to see pictures of him, here’s his webpage : > http://www.geocities.com/chanie_ > The content is in french, but you don’t need to now french to be able to see > the pictures. Just click on the "Photos" button under his picture. There > are links to pictures of his brothers in the first page if you click on the > link in the page. > Thanks again, > Annie and Chanie
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A friend of mine told me that if you put a little bit of vaseline on your cat’s paw, when he licks it off it will help him to pass hairballs. Has anyone else heard of this? Is it safe? Before you buy.
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> > If you put the hairball medicine on the front leg – be careful. I did > that with Ike once and he promptly shook his leg and I got the stuff in > my eye. Make sure you spread it out well.
Ya, this happened to me too. Got it all over me, the rug and the couch. My solution is to put it on MY paw…lol…..and he licks it off willingly! — :~) ann You have brains in your head.You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself, any direction you choose. You’re on your own, and you know what you know And you’re the one who’ll decide where to go. Dr. Seuss
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Hi again! Thank you all for your help. I have now started brushing him everyday. I was trying to do so a while ago, but he hated that. Now I’ve started playing with him, before, while and after I brush him so he likes that. And I give him treats too. He has now started to purr while I brush him, probably because we have quality time together when I do that. He’s a happy little kitty! If you want to see pictures of him, here’s his webpage : http://www.geocities.com/chanie_ The content is in french, but you don’t need to now french to be able to see the pictures. Just click on the "Photos" button under his picture. There are links to pictures of his brothers in the first page if you click on the link in the page. Thanks again, Annie and Chanie
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I don’t recommend the Science Diet Hairball Remedy. It made my kitty worse. If you’re going to go for a food, go for the Nutro Hairball Remedy. I find it works the best out of all of them. If your kitty doesn’t like the hairball stuff in the tube, try out the Jamieson PetCare Furball Buster. It’s a powder you sprinkle over their food, and most cats eat it right up. It’s especially effective if mixed with a little canned food. You can order it online if you live in the US at: http://www.jamiesonvitamins.com Good luck! Kelly – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi, > My cat is almost two years old and he has vomitted hairballs three times in > the last two weeks. Usually, he does that once a month, but he has long > hair. Should I be worried and take him to the vet? I give him hairball > medicine but he hates it so he doesn’t get a lot. I thought about getting > him some hairball food formulation, but I don’t know which brand is the > best. > Thanks, > Annie
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If you put the hairball medicine on the front leg – be careful. I did that with Ike once and he promptly shook his leg and I got the stuff in my eye. Make sure you spread it out well. -MIKE
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My cat, or course the one that needs it the most, does the same thing. Others love the stuff and will eat it/beg for it. Not the orange kid. He’ll send it flying. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > If you put the hairball medicine on the front leg – be careful. I did > that with Ike once and he promptly shook his leg and I got the stuff in > my eye. Make sure you spread it out well. > -MIKE
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LOL! Sorry I couldn’t contain my laughter thinking of you trying to clean the stuff out of your eye. hahaha. Ouch! Kelly – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > If you put the hairball medicine on the front leg – be careful. I did > that with Ike once and he promptly shook his leg and I got the stuff in > my eye. Make sure you spread it out well. > -MIKE
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Sounds like my two. Peepers, longhair male, liked the stuff the first time he tried it and would take it and even beg for it as would Smudge, shorthaired female. However, after a severe hairball blockage this spring Peepers decided the stuff could not be eaten, Smudge still begs for it. Now the routine is fill a spoon with Laxatone take it to Peepers and present it to him. As soon as he scents it (either flavor), I get to see his rear end racing away a hiding spot (occasionally he will run as soon as he sees the spoon). Give the Laxatone to the now begging Smudge. Fill another spoon for Peepers after a half hour and he is out of hiding. Put the spoon down and hide it so Smudge won’t eat it. Go get Peepers and pick him up. Carry Peepers to the DREADED SPOON and use the spoon to spread the gunk thinly over his front legs so that he has to clean it off. Watch Peeper go off shaking his paws with every step at this disgusting turn of events. After two hours Peepers will reappear on the far side of the room from me with legs clean and for the next 3 hours or so that is as close as he will get. Most of the time now I just give up and use the other means that seem to be keeping the hairballs at bay. Larry Osborne – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > My cat, or course the one that needs it the most, does > the same thing. Others love the stuff and will eat it/beg for it. > Not the orange kid. He’ll send it flying. > If you put the hairball medicine on the front leg – be careful. I did > that with Ike once and he promptly shook his leg and I got the stuff in > my eye. Make sure you spread it out well. > -MIKE
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Hi, My cat is almost two years old and he has vomitted hairballs three times in the last two weeks. Usually, he does that once a month, but he has long hair. Should I be worried and take him to the vet? I give him hairball medicine but he hates it so he doesn’t get a lot. I thought about getting him some hairball food formulation, but I don’t know which brand is the best. Thanks, Annie
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Since your cat has long hair, brush your cat every day. This will help get rid of the fur that your cat is ingesting when he grooms himself and then vomits up as a hairball. This in combination with the hairball medicine should help. I myself have not tried the food for preventing hairballs. Sue – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi, > My cat is almost two years old and he has vomitted hairballs three times in > the last two weeks. Usually, he does that once a month, but he has long > hair. Should I be worried and take him to the vet? I give him hairball > medicine but he hates it so he doesn’t get a lot. I thought about getting > him some hairball food formulation, but I don’t know which brand is the > best. > Thanks, > Annie
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My cat is almost two years old and he has vomitted hairballs three times in the last two weeks. Hi Annie, put some petroleum jelly on a front leg every 2 – 3 days or
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>My 2year old cat has in the last week started coughing frequently. At first >I just figured he was having trouble hacking up a hairball, but now I’m a >bit worried. I started him on hairball medicine, but he has a gurgling >noise after he’s been coughing, sorta like when you’ve got really bad >congestion in your lungs, or pneumonia. Does a hairball give cats gas or >bubbles in their lungs, or might this be something more serious like asthma >or worse?
A cat’s coughing and bringing up hairballs don’t sound remotely alike. Bringing up hairballs sounds like preparing to vomit. Coughing sounds like wheezing and coughing. While your cat could conceivably have aspirated some vomit, it is much more likely that he’s coughing from some other repiratory problem, asthma, allergies, pneumonia…. — "There’s a seeker born every minute."
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My 2year old cat has in the last week started coughing frequently. At first I just figured he was having trouble hacking up a hairball, but now I’m a bit worried. I started him on hairball medicine, but he has a gurgling noise after he’s been coughing, sorta like when you’ve got really bad congestion in your lungs, or pneumonia. Does a hairball give cats gas or bubbles in their lungs, or might this be something more serious like asthma or worse? — The opinions expressed in this message are my own views not the official views of Microsoft.
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> My 2year old cat has in the last week started coughing frequently. At first > I just figured he was having trouble hacking up a hairball, but now I’m a > bit worried. I started him on hairball medicine, but he has a gurgling > noise after he’s been coughing, sorta like when you’ve got really bad > congestion in your lungs, or pneumonia. Does a hairball give cats gas or > bubbles in their lungs, or might this be something more serious like asthma > or worse?
It’s possible that, which trying to hack up a hairball, he aspirated some of the hair into his lungs. This can set up an aspiration pneumonia which is, of course, pretty bad. Usually I’d consider any lower respiratory (ie: lungs) problem relatively serious and encourage you to get to your vet ASAP. Erik "Rouleaux" Hofmeister WSU Class ‘00 PLEASE NOTE: In the absence of a traditional veterinarian-client-patient relationship, this information should be taken as a friendly opinion, not as an official clinical recommendation. Also realize that I am a veterinary student, and anything stated should be taken with that in mind.
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