Another cat question - hairballs

[anchor31]

I''m sorry because it''s pretty disgusting, but I was wondering if my fellow PSer cat lovers/owners could help me out.

One of my lovely cats has a hairball problem. The worst is that she can''t seem to just pass the hairball and she throws up all over the place (I know, ewww, sorry!). I''m getting pretty sick (literally) with picking up after her, and poor thing, that can''t be good for her health.

Tips please? Thanks!

 

[mrs jam]

Hairballs are no fun! I''m sorry she''s (and you) are going through that! Have you tried cat foods that are specifically designed to help with the hairball problem? I don''t know if those actually work or not, but it might be worth a try.

 

[applequeen]

I have a long haired kitty (Maine Coone) with a major hairball problem. We''ve tried everything (hairball control cat food, hairball cat treats, hairball treatment gel stuff from the vet, etc.) but nothing really helps.

Our solution is to take her in for a haircut and pedicure

She get''s the "lion cut" which means they leave the fur around her face and her feet. Usually they would leave a small amount on the end of her tail but we keep her entire tail full. I can tell that she really feels better when it''s cut... especially in the summer. She''s hairball free until it grows out again.

 

[wishful]

I find Petromalt works pretty well - but you have to remember to give it to them on basically a daily basis. Most cats like it although it might take a couple tries to get them used to it.
http://www.amazon.com/Petromalt-Hairball-Remedy-Fish-Flavor/dp/B000255XFA

One trick is to dab a bit on the top of their paw - and they'll lick it off..then realize they kinda like it! Then you can feed it to them right out of the tube. My guys love it.

 

[allycat0303]

I find that brushing my cats often (every second day) cuts down a lot on the hairball bussiness. And my cats really love to be brushed.

 

[Lynn B]

As a Ragdoll, Boo is SO long-haired, he''s a walking hairball!!!

Honestly, though, he has never actually hacked up a hairball (yet... I''m sure I''ll step on one in the middle of the night tonight!!!

)

I do try to brush him often, and I give him PETROMALT daily. He loves it, we call it a "treat" and he licks it off my fingers.

 

[Deelight]

We were feeding our kitties SD hairball control which did work but after finding out how bad the food is we switched to Innova.

I find getting our kitties shaved every 2-3 mths helps and they look so pathetic and adorable when they come home and they get ultra smooochy as well which is a plus

 

[jewelerman]

I found that brushing the cat often has really helped keep this problem under control...at least ever other day....i made sure to brush her on the sides and go against the grain of the fur so it loosens all that hair ready to come out underneath the surface.

 

[FireGoddess]

My cats are shorthairs.

1. I brush them every other day or so.

2. I feed them the Pounce Hairball treats (crunchy outside, hairball med inside) twice a week.

That''s about it!

 

[Lorelei]

Also just as helpful info, Ankie I am not saying this is what is happening with your cat at all, but it might help someone. We had a cat once who was doing the hairball '' retch / cough'' but he didn''t bring anything up. We took him to the vet and he was actually diagnosed with asthma. So it could be worth just keeping in mind.

 

[chiquitapet]

We have the same problem. Our two babies are both shorthair, but Nino''s coat is much more fury, and Lula then gets hairballs (she loves to groom him). The best way I find is to brush them both on a weekly basis.

I found that the hairball diet didn''t make much difference at all.

 

[anchor31]

Thanks all. My cat has short hair and she hates being brushed. The other one is long-haired and loves it, but I think the brush is more adapted for long hair, so maybe I just have to find a better brush for her short hair.

 

[FireGoddess]

If your cat hates the brush then pet her back with your nails (not hard) instead of your finger pads and loose hair will come with your hand. I pet down their back and then by the tail grab all the loose fur that has come out. It doesn''t substitute brushing by any means but you can get some of the loose hairs off at least...