How long does it take for a hairball to work its way out?

Kind of a gross question, but one day a couple weeks ago Smokie was trying to hack up a hairball. She didn't get it out and she calmed down and the hacking went away until a few days ago. She stood on top of me while I was sleeping and started again (nice way to be woken up, huh?). So, I got her some PetroMalt from the advice I've read on this board and been giving her that according to the directions. It's not continual, so far as I can tell she's only done this twice around me. I guess my question is... How can I tell if she's gotten rid of it (I have found no obvious evidence on my floors!), and how long does it typically take? I understand if it takes too long, she could wind up with some serious problems and possibly have surgery? I just don't know what too long is...

Sorry for such a lengthy question on a seemingly simple topic. It's her first hairball and I read way too much information on the internet- which mostly makes me worried instead of relieved! Thanks!!

Well it might not be a hairball- though it very well could be. Is she eating okay? Using her litter box, drinking water?

If so, try giving her some fiber- either cooked and mashed yams, cooked and drained and mashed green beans, loose leaf catnip (organic) or some canned pumpkin straight out of the can, not cooked and see if that helps. Also start grooming her daily to help pick up the extra hair she is licking off her when she grooms.

The hairball remedy could have allowed the hairball to pass through the digestive tract and you won't see any evedence of it. If the kitten stops eating, or drinking I would take her to a vet ASAP.

In a kitten this young I would think it is more likely she ate something that didn't agree with her. Do you have any live plants that may be poisonous? Did she eat people food? (Some people food is toxic to cats like onions or chocolate.)

Has she been wormed by a vet? Worms will sometimes cause vomiting or nausea. Take a stool sample in to your vet and have it tested.

Is she up to date on her shots?

These are just a few things to think about, let us know how things trum out!

Cats don't actually "cough up hairballs". They vomit them. I'm actually not sure where the phrase "cough up hairballs" originated, but it is not accurate.

Cats do cough sometimes, just like people. If it's just an occasional thing and the cat is fine otherwise, there is no need to worry. If she shows other signs of illness, make an appointment with the vet.

Thanks for taking the time to respond everyone! I'll try to answer some of the questions you've had...

Originally Posted by DragonLady

The hairball remedy could have allowed the hairball to pass through the digestive tract and you won't see any evedence of it. If the kitten stops eating, or drinking I would take her to a vet ASAP.

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She's eating and drinking and eliminating as usual, no changes there... I'm hoping it worked it's way out "the other door" and that's why I haven't seen it. I suppose it would look like normal feces in her box?

Originally Posted by DragonLady

In a kitten this young I would think it is more likely she ate something that didn't agree with her. Do you have any live plants that may be poisonous? Did she eat people food? (Some people food is toxic to cats like onions or chocolate.)

Click to expand...

She's actually almost 9 months old now! Is that too early to get a hairball? Not only does she end up ingesting her own fur, but I've seen her walking around with balls of my boyfriend's extra furry cat's fur hanging out of her mouth. I think she eats that too!
But, no poisonous plants and I keep all the people food away from her! :-)

Originally Posted by DragonLady

Has she been wormed by a vet? Worms will sometimes cause vomiting or nausea. Take a stool sample in to your vet and have it tested.

Is she up to date on her shots?

Click to expand...

She was wormed back in August/September when I got her. How often do they get wormed? Yearly on her vet visits? She never goes outside. And yep, she's got all her shots!

Originally Posted by DragonLady

These are just a few things to think about, let us know how things trum out!

Click to expand...

Will do. Thanks!

Also, thanks hissy. I'll try some of your ideas. She hates the brush- I'm going to get one of those grooming gloves. I think the brush might be too scratchy.

Finally, vegansoprano, I understand... She's not really coughing, it is wretching kind of. Hard to describe, but that was my first thought- that she's working out a hairball!

I would try and brush her like MA said because i bought my two a proper brush a few weeks ago, and when i saw what hair came out i felt awful knowing that they had been swallowing it, so it's a regular routine with them now, not only that but they love it, especially Rosie

I have to make a litter run to PetSmart tonight, so I'm going to see about getting one of those gloves or rubber kind of brushes for her. Something that might be a little more comfortable!

For future prevention, not only is grooming good, but I use Friskies hairball treats. It prevents hairballs just by feeding a few a week and my cat LOVES them. She practically begs for them. Once they are gone she looks for more. She has not had hairballs since I started her on the treats. I brush my cat with a shedding blade, as I have found that they do the best for really getting rid of the hair. I get piles of it everytime. They come in moist heart/square-type shapes. Kinda diamond-ish. they work great and do wonders if you don't get around to brushing all the time. My cat doesn't like being brushed, but loves the feel of the shedding blade. I think because it doesn't have teeth like a comb, it feels better. It just pulls the hair out and doesn't hurt the skin at all. treats
shedding blade here

Kitty,

I almost bought one of those shedding blades but I couldn't figure out what I was supposed to do with it so I didn't get it! - do you just run it over them like a brush?