Hairballs????Advice???????

I'm sure you all remember my recent addition Spica(if not do a search). She is long haired and now about 4 1/2 months old. She's finally begun bathing like a normal cat, and I think it's past time I learn what to expect with a long hair cat. How long until I should feed her hairball formula(if I should)? I've heard you should feed kitten food to a cat until they are a year old, and grandma said the vets have this hairball stuff in a tube that you let lick off your finger. I'm not sure what she was talking about, but I figured one of you can help me decide what to do.

ALSO: She has spit up clear stuff, not even a teaspoon amount and it has alittle hair in it...not much but enough to see. It was this morning and she's acting like normal. Is this from her hairballs/bathing? Grandma said it was and I'm hoping so cause I'm taking her for her first shots Monday and I want her healthy. Thanks!

I've heard you should feed kitten food to a cat until they are a year old

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We just took Charm to the vet (she's about 7 months old) and she is already overweight. The vet said that usually after they spay/neuter kittens - they suggest gradually changing the kitten to adult food as the kitten food has too much fat in it. Since Charm was spayed at the Humane Society at a very young age, the vet didn't think to mention it to us earlier. So, we are presently switching Charm over to adult food.

As far as the hairballs - we just started using Laxatone, which comes in a 2.5 ounce tube. You put a bit on your finger and 2 of my girls just lick it right off - whereas our other girl doesn't like it at all. On the tube it suggests you put a bit on your cats nose and they'll lick it off and then look forward to getting it. So far it's worked wonders with our cats. You can get it at most pet stores or catalogs. We got ours from the vet and it's much more expensive this way - from now on I'll get it from a pet store or catalog.

Good Luck to you!

Originally posted by Sandi
As far as the hairballs - we just started using Laxatone, which comes in a 2.5 ounce tube.

You can get it at most pet stores or catalogs. We got ours from the vet and it's much more expensive this way - from now on I'll get it from a pet store or catalog.

Good Luck to you!

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Thanks for replying..so far noone has.
Grandma told me about that stuff...I had to take one of my cats to the vet today and I asked her and she said it was about 10$ a tube.
I think that's really high..but who knows. How often do I have to do it? How long does it last?

I paid $12.00, but in a couple pet catalogs I've seen it as low as $3.99 or maybe even less. I'll look them up for you and let you know. I think it must last pretty long because initially, for 3 days you give your cat a 1/2 tsp to 1 tsp a day. After that, it's used 2 times a week.

DrsFosterSmith.com

Item # Description Price Qty
9N-1971 Laxatone (2.5 oz. tube) $ 3.99

Several food manufacturers make hairball control formulas-they are higher fiber foods, and the fiber helps bind up the hair and move it along. They are intended to be fed for a lifetime, as far as I can see. They are healthy and balanced, but have the extra fiber. I feed Ivo Science Diet Hairball Control Light, which she really likes. The food helps, but doesn't totally stop hairballs. When she's really shedding, I have to brush her once or twice a week (she's a shorthaired cat, but she's got very long short hair, if that makes sense).

Hope this helps!

(she's a shorthaired cat, but she's got very long short hair, if that makes sense).

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I totally get it. I have several cats exactly like that. They are shorthaired cats, but boy is it long short hair.

I, too, use hairball control formula food with more fiber (as directed by our vet). We still were told to use the Laxatone, but I think that's because Lucky seems to have more of a problem with hairballs. We brush our cats everyday - just because they love it and also - no matter how much we brush Lucky - she has a carpet of hair that we get out on her brush (maybe she has more MEDIUM hair). And we have to brush Kitty each day as her skin needs it - she's 17 so she gets that flaky dry skin - have to keep her circulation going. Charm doesn't really enjoy being brushed yet, but we do a little each day to get her used to it.

Also, as far as the Science Diet Lite Hairball Control formula - how does your cat like it? I was debating on feeding that since it's lite as well.

Originally posted by Sandi
Also, as far as the Science Diet Lite Hairball Control formula - how does your cat like it? I was debating on feeding that since it's lite as well.

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Ivo seems to really like it. I had to switch her to lite, since she almost doubled her weight in the first six months I had her (she was a stray, 6 lbs. and got to above 11). She usually eats about 1/2 cup a day, although I put out 2/3 cup. My vet also told me that she used to use it as her cats' treats, but ended up switching them to eating it full time.

Thanks guys! I'll probably use the tube for now and a hairball formula when she is around a year old.