Hairball Remedy?

Do the hairball remedies they sell over the counter work? Simon is trying to cough one up and I was wondering if there was anything I could give him that would help the poor little guy. Also, any home remedies are great too! Thanks!

Also, why is it that he always does this on a Friday! The vet is only open for a few hours tomorrow and not at all on Sunday, so if he's getting sick (and not getting a hairball) it makes my life hell. Murphy's law I guess!!

there is a pet laxative - but right now I can not think of the name of it - but your vet will have some. You just put it on their paws and they lick it off - works like a treat.

You can buy Laxatone at your veterinary clinic, it's a very effective laxative and lubricant.

Originally Posted by Lorie D.

You can buy Laxatone at your veterinary clinic, it's a very effective laxative and lubricant.

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thanks Lorie - I couldnt remember the name of it

You can get laxatone at petsmart now too (I guess it's not RX only now?) -so if your vet's closed you can still get to it. I've also tried the treats for hairballs (they are crunchy w/ a laxative type substance inside of them).. but they are not nearly as effective as laxatone.

We've used laxatone or petromalt for acute hairballs, but prefer vetbasis for prevention -- no petro products and makes their hair silkier.

I wanted to revive this thread (rather than start a new one) to ask a question about Petromalt...

I bought some today because the other night I heard Baylee sound like she was hacking/coughing... Nothing came up, but wanted to do it preventatively.

Anyway, Bay won't take it off my finger so it said to put some on the front paw. On the pad of the front paw, like the underside, or on the top... or on the bottom half of their leg? Does it matter?

I would put it on the top of her front paw. The objective is to put it some place where she will 'lick' it off as she grooms. Since it is sticky, if you put it on the pad, then when she walks she will pick up stuf off of the ground if she doesn't groom it off right away. It is easiest to put it on the top of the foot above the toes.

Another thing I have done if I really want one to have it but they don't wish to eat it is to put a strip on my fore-finger and then use my finger to smear it in their mouth on the inside top of the mouth going in between the front incisors. You have to be quick and they don't appreciate it, but it works. Usually though, mine will lick it right out of the tube and I have to push the others away so that they each can get their share. There is not one brand that all five of mine like so I have 2 different ones.

Kathryn

Thanks Kathryn... the top of her front paw makes sense. I tried that and I was worried because she ignored it for a while, but finally she licked it off.

Maybe when I try again next week she'll like it. Are there different flavors of this stuff so maybe I can find one Baylee will like it?

Originally Posted by pinkdaisy226

Thanks Kathryn... the top of her front paw makes sense. I tried that and I was worried because she ignored it for a while, but finally she licked it off.

Maybe when I try again next week she'll like it. Are there different flavors of this stuff so maybe I can find one Baylee will like it?

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There must be because mine don't all like Petromalt and they don't all like tonic lax (Canadian version of Laxatone). I notice some advertise malt flavouring and others say fish flavoured. Even the ones that all say malt must have different blends because one cat who will eat the first malt, won't eat the second. Oh well, perhaps next week Bailey will enjoy licking it straight from the tube now she has a taste of it. I notice that mine will sometimes walk away when I offer it to them at the very first but once they get a good whiff of it or I touch it to their nose and they lick it off, they can't get enough of it.

Kathryn

Just wanted to let you know... today I opened the tube of Petromalt just to see Baylee's reaction.. she came right over and started licking it right out of the tube. So you were right, she enjoyed it once she tasted it.

I have no luck with putting petromalt on the paws .. no way, they end up getting it everywhere! Zoey will usually lick it from the tube but with Saki I just grab his head, open his mouth and scrape it off my finger with the roof of his mouth. He has no choice but to eat it. Quick and easy!

I dunno... I'm glad Baylee licks it from the tube now - the idea of shoving it on the roof of her mouth just stresses me out - any time I've had to open her mouth she lets out a pitiful cry that just breaks my heart!

Aww Saki is easy going about it. Zoey on the other hand would be a chore. Every cat is different.