I think my cat is trying to cough up a hairball.

[polly7]

He's healthy and I'm sure he doesn't have a blockage, but he's been hacking and I'm sure a hairball is the problem. He has very long, soft hair sort of like an angora rabbit and is always cleaning himself. I brush him twice a day, but he still sheds ... which isn't much of a problem, except that he's ingesting it. Is there something I can sneak into his food (he won't eat anything at all but dry cat food)? I was thinking maybe some sort of fish oil? TIA.

[Mac1949]

1. Laxatone. We've found it very helpful. nt.

[polly7]

2. Thanks very much, I'll look into that. n/t.

[applegrove]

3. You can get hair ball treatment at the pet store. Usually a fish or a malt flavoured bit of mineral

oil in a gel that the cats will lick. Works for my cats.

[polly7]

4. Thanks, applegrove.

I've already asked a friend to pick me up some Laxatone, but if that doesn't work, will try mixing some fish oil in with his food and hope he eats it. I've never seen a cat before that absolutely refuses anything but his dry food. He's quite a character.

[Curmudgeoness]

5. I see you are getting Laxatone, which is fine.

Next time, try a daub of Vaseline. I use that weekly. It is a lot cheaper and readily available.

If your cat is not interested in eating the Laxatone or Vaseline, slop it on the front leg and your cat will lick it off. Mission accomplished.

[polly7]

6. Thanks!

Apparently Laxatone isn't sold in any pet store near me, as per my friend's call just a minute ago. The Vaseline on the paw is a great idea, as I think he'll probably just not eat if I try to sneak anything into his food.

[Curmudgeoness]

7. Hope it works.

If things don't resolve, you can do it again tomorrow. And it may give a little loose bowel (as could Laxatone). The hair will be easier to get moving once the Vaseline gets on it---and may move one way or the other. Poor kitties! Can you imagine what a pain in the butt it is to get hairballs!!!

[polly7]

8. I do too ...

I think I'll put it on his latest battle wound. He fights with anything and everything and has a bit of a mark on his hip he's licking at. Poor kitties is right, I feel bad I've left it this long. Thanks again.

[Rhiannon12866]

9. My vet gave me Laxatone for my long-haired cat, too.

The first time it happened, I was in a total panic, thought she was dying, a very scary noise when they're coughing up a hairball. The vet had given me Laxatone when I first brought her in (I adopted my uncle's two cats when he died), but I didn't really understand what it was for, first time cat owner. Fortunately, the vet straightened me out after laughing at me. All cats can get hairballs, but the long-haired cats can get them more easily, for obvious reasons. Good luck and your cat sounds beautiful...

[polly7]

10. I'm so glad you were able to take in your uncle's cats.

Mine was a little orphaned kitty my dad found in the hopper of his combine. I fed him night and day out of a bottle, he was so tiny he fit in the palm of my hand. He wieighs 19 pounds now and has the weirdest habits. He used to love, as a kitten, watching paper come out of the printer and would bat at it and play. Well now ...... he refuses to sleep unless there's paper underneath him. I came home from work the other night, and he'd thrown everything off the little table by my desk except for a sticky note, and there he was, sleeping. He's very protective.... more like a watchdog than a cat. He never, ever scratches, but bites like a dog. A friend of mine is in a wheelchair, it's an older one and there's an opening in the back where his butt sticks out a little. Hobo jumps up to bite him right there nearly every time he's over, he really dislikes that wheelchair and, I'm assuming, wants Greg out of it. I never realized cats had such huge personalities until this one came along.