coughing?

I did a search on this and decided to just ask because Im worried.

Just fed my ferals and one of them was making this horrible coughing sound. I know from my own cat what hairball coughing sounds like and I guess it was similar.

My question is - all cats get hairballs correct?

He had run to me as I was walking over and he was fine - but then all of sudden started and was crouching down to the ground. He then ate his food and stopped - which is when I left.

should I be worried at this point?

thanks

It could be all sorts of things. If it's warming up there, your ferals could be shedding a bit more already and yes, that will mean hair balls. He could have been eating grass, something he caught (bones, fur, feathers), etc.

Worst case scenario is coughing/vomiting up round/tapeworms, URI, kitty asthma or allergies, or worst - heart worms.

If you see it again, you should consider getting him in to the vet. If you notice any off symptoms sooner from him, of course act on those.

Do the ferals have favorite areas they hang out in nearby? If so, look around. If your cats are getting hairballs then chances are you'll find some that have already been coughed up. I have a neighbor cat that likes to come hack up hairballs on my front walkway.

thanks... Ill keep an eye on him.

I always hear about hairballs being nasty - thing is Ive NEVER seen one. I dont know if my cat has never gotten rid of his. I dont hear those sounds often ... although when i do I give him hairball remedy... I guess it works.

Hairballs don't look that nasty. Umm, a basic description would be that they're almost stool shaped and compressed fur. Fresh it'll be wet, but dry ones are pretty much what they are - fur.