Kyrre is puking hairballs...

Bente · Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 7:55 am Post subject: Kyrre is puking hairballs...

What can I do to prevent this, other than grooming him every day? I use the zoom groom and a comb on him at least 5minutes every day, but the amount of fur this guy sheds is endless Shocked

He has never had a problem with hairballs before, it all started a couple of months ago. Now he pukes a couple of times a week. In the last six months he has become an indoor cat, I've changed food from Hill's to Royal Canin and I've started giving him softfood (is that the correct word btw?). Could this have anything to do with the hairballs?

Chezza · Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 8:28 am Post subject:

I'v never had probs with my cats having furballs, and Jay is a medium long hair, its not long but not short either...
Is his fur really really long?? Maybe think about shaving him, I know that may sound extreme, as I'm not sure where you live and what the climates like??

sunset05 · Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 2:36 pm Post subject:

My kitties seem to hack up fur balls often, too, especially Mittens. I'm also keeping Mittens indoors all the time so I'm thinking that she used to hack them up outside and I didn't notice it as much.

I try to brush my kitties everyday. I'm going to look into hairball remedies at a pet store.

vene · Super Senior Member Plus Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Posts: 4267

Furball remedy treats and a lion cut!

Pumpkin definitely has not been hacking up furballs after her fur was shaved! Mr. Green

She's on both wet and dry foods.

lunaguy · Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 9:05 pm Post subject:

There are furball remedies available that you squeeze out of a tube, but most of them (like Petromalt) are petroleum-based and not good for your cat's liver. There are some brands that don't use petroleum, like Petroleum-Free Lickable and Vetbasis Hairball Gel, but you may only be able to find them online. I just read that you can alternately add a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil to your cat's food each day for a couple of days, and that this will do the same thing as the hairball remedies. I haven't tried it though, as Luna hasn't had this problem in a while. I also noticed an improvement after I started making cat grasses available to her at all times, not sure if that helps her digest the hair or what. Good luck to Kyrre!!

faeriedust1127 · Posted: Fri Jul 07, 2006 4:41 am Post subject:

Those pictures of Pumpkin are so precious, Vene!! Now i almost wish Vianne had long hair, lol. Too cute!

Bente, what kind of brush are you using on Kyrre? I use a slicker brush on Vianne and that type seems to grab the most hair. I actually started using one made for a dog cuz its bigger and covers a larger area so she doesnt have to be as patient with me Smile

lynnhaz · Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2006 2:05 pm Post subject:

lols...pumpkin looks so cute Your the best

bente...i think they also have cat food that is designed to help with this issue. i want to say iams...has a food for hairballs...or a prescription formula that you get at your vets. although iams is controversial in terms of animal testing (seems i heard something about that somewhere).

Bente · Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2006 5:18 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all the replies Smile

Vene: Pumpkin looks hillarious Mr. Green

I've been thinking of shaving Kyrre, but for some reason I'm afraid he will feel less of a man without all his fur... lol Wink

But I'll definetly (sp?) give it a try if he doesn't get better.

When I groom him I use the zoom groom first, to get rid of all the loose hair, then I use a steel comb for cats, the kind with both short and long "comb things" (I have no idea what that's called in English, but I hope you know what I mean), to prevent the fur from matting up (??)