Cat having hair ball problems

[Tonysweetie]

Max, my 7 month old kitten is starting to show signs of having hairballs. I find him gagging quite a bit but never seen him cough one up before. I used to have a ferret that I had to give those creams too and she loved it do I do the same for my cat? I've seen them at Wal-Mart in the cat area but on the back it always says "Adult Cats" He'll be 8 months on November 1st. Is he to young? And if I give it to him do I just give him a smaller amount that he adult cat directions say?? TIA!

[greenbunny]

I don't know about the medication, but a good natural remedy is to add canned pumpkin to their food. NOT pie filler, but actual pumpkin. It adds bulk fiber and helps them to pass the hairballs.

[Tonysweetie]

hmmm never heard of that, thanks I'll try that, sounds safer to me :)


ps when you say pass? you mean they'll cough it up easier or pass as when they use the litter box?

[tlew12778]

You could also give him hairball food. I think I used to give my cats Eukanuba or Science Diet when they had them, but they no longer do (hooray!). I give them those creams on a pretty regular basis, even when they were kittens. I just got a kitten-safe one.

[Tonysweetie]

I have seen the hairball cat foods but I'm afraid to take him off his kitten food. I have him Puriena One Kitten diet. It says to keep him on it until he is a year old. Maybe I'll get the cream or the pumpkin.

[fuzzy]

You can also put a dab of vasoline on their noses and allow them to lick it off. It, um, lubricates everything and helps them pass anything that might be...stuck.

[Lanapoo]

I give my long haired cat the 'lion cut', which everything is shaved except the 'boots' of the feet, the end of the tail, and his head and 'mane' area. He hasn't had a hair ball since :p Of course not everyone would like my somewhat drastic solution. That's not really why I do the lion cut though, it's just a bonus. Not only is my baby a cute little gray lion :p , it really cuts down on the shedding and therefore cuts down on DH's allergies :D

[Jennifer]

You should be able to give an 8 month old those hairball meds (but you could always double check with your vet both to be sure and for dosing or preferred brands).

I have long haired cats and find if I am VERY good about combing them - just a few minutes a day - I get very little hair around - and no hairball problems, but when I comb less I do get some hairballs (I've been a bad comber this week and found a little one coughed up in my front hall last night - uck!)