Hootie has been vomiting frequently and I'm getting concerned.

luvmy2cats

luvmy2cats

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She's thrown up several hairballs in the past three days and she's thrown up twice just shortly after eating her food. I haven't switched cat foods but I'm wondering if it's the cat treats my husband bought a few weeks ago because I have been giving both cats treats most everyday the past few days. They are Feline greenies smart bites hairball control. I swear every time I feed or give them something with hairball control they start hacking them (hairballs) up like crazy! I'm going to stop giving the treats and see what happens.
 
cocheezie

cocheezie

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It could well be the treats. My partner recently bought a store brand bag of hairball treats and the directions for adult cats were 2 treats every second day to prevent, and 6 treats each day for 4 days to remove. After reading the instructions and then the ingredients of the store brand, I did not give any to my cats. Didn't trust it at all.

Here are the feeding guideline from the Greenies website. http://www.greenies.com/cats/smartbites-hairball-control-cat-treats.aspx
Only for cat use. FELINE GREENIES[emoji]174[/emoji]  SMARTBITES[emoji]174[/emoji]  Hairball Control Cat Treats are formulated for cats 1 year old or older. For a healthy hairball benefit, feed 12 treats all at once daily. As with any treat, adjust the amount of your cat's main meal to compensate for the calories delivered by these treats. Always monitor your pet while feeding a treat. Provide fresh drinking water at all times. See your veterinarian regularly. To help maintain freshness, we recommend sealing the bag tightly and storing it in a cool, dry location.
WARNING: Use only as directed. If signs of hairballs persist, consult a veterinarian. Do not administer to cats less than 1 year old. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Hairball symptoms could include gagging or vomiting.
Click to expand...
It would seem that hairball treats are totally different from regular treats and should not be used as such.
 
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goholistic

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If I were you, I'd stop the Greenies. There have been complaints: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/pets/greenies.html

If you want a decent treat, try PureBites freeze-dried treats (http://www.purebites.com/). They are 100% meat and sourced and made in the USA (except for the shrimp one, which is sourced elsewhere).

If you want to address hairballs with a treat, try Vet's Best Hairball Relief tablets. Here's a PDF of the label: http://www.vetsbest.com/pdf/VB60ctCatlube_3165810113.pdf   Just make sure you give them at least two hours apart from any medication and make sure they have fresh, clean water available.
 
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luvmy2cats

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Do you know of any good hairball treatments that are safe and actually work?
 
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ahlysha

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I use a little olive oil per my vet's suggestion. I give a small amount in the wet food. Their fur is silly, smooth,and hairballs are yakked up.
 
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luvmy2cats

luvmy2cats

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Thanks both of you for the tips and those complaints about Greenies are scary! I will definitely stop giving those! 
 
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ahlysha

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Luv,
Make sure your vet knows, especially when you decide to give olive oil.

Mine suggested it when my squirt was constipated and it had the added bonus as hair ball treatment. Although he prefers one olive type over another. No dark dipping types, or extra virgin, the cat wants light olive oil. :-))
 
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luvmy2cats

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Hmmm one odd thing, Hootie last threw up a couple hours ago (shortly before I started this thread) and she has been to her food dish to eat about four time since then and to her water dish each time after eating. I'm afraid if she eats anymore tonight she'll vomit again. 
 
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ahlysha

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:( Poor kitty. Is she eating fast? Like bolting it down, and eating a lot?
 
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luvmy2cats

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No not scarfing the food at all. I have a feeling it is indeed the Greenies treats because I had given both cats some earlier today. I threw the treats out. 
 
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luvmy2cats

luvmy2cats

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She stopped vomiting food but threw up a hair ball this morning. I wonder why those treats would make Hootie sick but not Sissy.  My cats are weird. They go through phases when they puke up hair balls just about every day then stop for awhile. 
 
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ahlysha

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Mine will do that too. Chuck up a Hairball a day, then stop for a bit.
 
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