Hairballs

buzbyjlc10

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So Oliver's thrown up a few hairballs recently
... it's not happening like crazy - maybe once every couple weeks - the only thing is, he's NEVER had this problem before so I'm not sure what's goin on
... I haven't switched foods, he's not shedding/grooming himself any more than usual and he's got his kitty grass and eats it like always.... when he throws up, I can see that it's just a hairball surrounded by either a little bit of digested food or just some bile... any ideas or suggestions?
Should I head out and get some hairball remedy? It's been maybe the last month or two that I've noticed this and like I said, before that, he had NEVER thrown up because of a hairball.... it's just getting to be a pain to clean up carpet spots and the one morning the hairball got thrown up on me in bed!!!
thanks y'all!
 

sharky

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Can you try an extra brushing a week??
 

coaster

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I give my cats hairball gel once a week and I've never ever seen a hairball.
 
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buzbyjlc10

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Originally Posted by Kate_e_did

Whenever my cats eat grass they throw up.
Oliver's been eating grass for quite some time now... the right kind of grass is actually very helpful and healthy for cats since indoor only's cant get natural ruffage - he's still eating his as normal, just throwing up hairballs now... I guess I'll try picking up some hairball gel or paste and give him some once a week plus add a few extra brushings - he's due for a bath as well, so that will help.... maybe he is shedding a little more and I'm just not noticing - it has been unseasonably warm...... thanks y'all and as always any additional input is welcomed!
 
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buzbyjlc10

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Got some hairball paste stuff tonite at Petco and the Ollie man loves it! Hope it works since it's something I don't actually have to shove down his throat, haha Just wanted to update y'all... he got an extra brushing last nite too
 

kate_e_did

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I bought cat grass at the pet shop because she is an indoor cat but I the clear liquid with grass in it that she tosses up. Maybe she just has a sensitive tummy.
 

babyharley

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Originally Posted by BuzbyJLC10

Got some hairball paste stuff tonite at Petco and the Ollie man loves it! Hope it works since it's something I don't actually have to shove down his throat, haha Just wanted to update y'all... he got an extra brushing last nite too
What is that gel stuff? I might get some - Harley has never had a problem with hairballs - is it okay to give him even tho he doesn't get them, just so he doesn't start with hairballs?
 

sharky

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Originally Posted by babyharley

What is that gel stuff? I might get some - Harley has never had a problem with hairballs - is it okay to give him even tho he doesn't get them, just so he doesn't start with hairballs?
I dont think it would hurt... I try not to use it since most of them are petroleum based ie vaseline...
 

menagerie mama

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Originally Posted by babyharley

What is that gel stuff? I might get some - Harley has never had a problem with hairballs - is it okay to give him even tho he doesn't get them, just so he doesn't start with hairballs?
It's good that you are trying new stuff, Mackenzie. (Cat milk, etc) The more stuff you expose him to, (healthy stuff of course) the better off you'll be later, like if you have to medicate him. Picky cats can be bulls to medicate if they won't touch treat stuff. It's good to get him used to this kind of stuff young. Imagine tring to pill a cat that fights you tooth and nail, when you could just put it in canned food or something like that...much easier! My cats eat Laxatone off a plate weekly. They love it.
 
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buzbyjlc10

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Originally Posted by babyharley

What is that gel stuff? I might get some - Harley has never had a problem with hairballs - is it okay to give him even tho he doesn't get them, just so he doesn't start with hairballs?
It's kind of a gel or paste (depending what brand you get) that helps your cat pass hairballs more easily (and hopefully not puke
them up on you the morning of the very first time your university gives you Martin Luther King Jr. day off and you're trying to sleep in!!
)... it's usually chicken or fish flavored so your kitty will like it (I put some on my finger and Oliver licked it right off
)

The kind I got is "Hairball Solution" by PetAg (White, Maroon, and Blue tube).... it's chicken flavored and contains "Mirra-Coat" skin and coat conditioner (to help lessen shedding, hence lessen the amount of fur taken in during daily preening hours)... on the back it says it helps in the eliminating and preventing of hairballs and there are different instructions depending on whether your kitty currently has a hairball that's having a hard time coming up (or goin down, haha) or whether you're trying to prevent future hairballs.... to prevent them (which I'm doing right now since he doesnt currently have a hairball.... the last one came up on the rug yesterday, ugh) you only need to give it to your kitty once a week... it says 1 -2 tsp weekly, but I just put some on my pointer finger (twice) and let him lick it off.... i know he'll look at me like I have 9 heads if I put this stuff on a teaspoon!
I also dont wanna give him TOO much since there is petrolium jelly in it, but I figure even a little bit will help our current hairball situation....

I'm still pretty perplexed
by this sudden change in hairball activity.... previously when he had one, he'd honk like a goose for a minute or two, and it'd get swallowed down and passed in poo.... but recently theyre bein puked up with little or no food in the mess (I've never seen any grass in with them either) and no honking....
 

darkeyedgirl

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I use Laxatone, bought at Petsmart.

I have to rub it into their paws (just about every cat... they all have hairballs on occasion) and well, they used to like it, but they get mad now!

If you rub the stuff in good enough, into their arm & paw, they will 'have to' lick it off. This way it passes out in the poo vs. being barfed up, which can cause dehydration.

Snickers had to be taken to the Vet and rehydrated using sub-cu fluids last March, he barfed up a hairball the size of my arm. It really sucked for the lil guy. So he's on the Laxatone now, and well he only everynowandthen barfs up a wee hairball.

But mostly I am guessing he passes them in the poo.

Plus, LOTS OF BRUSHING. Zoom Groom, those nubby brushing gloves, etc.!!! Have brushing parties every night if you have to. Get all that extra fur off & they won't ingest it.
 

lionessrampant

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I really like Vetbasis hairball gel, which they sell at the big pet stores. It doesn't have petroleum jelly in it...you want to avoid that if you can.

Also, shedding season is approaching...hairballs are more numerous in these months.
 
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