Something to give for hairballs?

[BettinaT]

I have two Birman cats. They are 13 and 12 years old.

They have often only ever thrown up hairballs. It rarely comes out with the feces.

For food they get raw meat with vitamin powder added.


They also wash each other so much hair comes down. I brush their fur about twice a week.


Besides that they can eat grass, what else can I do?

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Hi again Bettina!

About how often do they vomit?

How's their BEAM after they vomit?

Are there any other health challenges

There are lots of hairball treatments on the forum (which you can find by using the search area in the upper right of this web page). Here's one thread that discusses some of them:

Cat Hairballs

Romeo Neutered Male Cat Shorthair Tuxedo 9yrs old 9.5 pounds Eats Raw Indoor/Outdoor Romeo has suddenly started vomiting hairballs almost daily this past week for the first time ever! Its Summer and very hot, so he’s shedding hair. I gave him Vasaline once and it did seem to move things...

www.holisticactions.com

 

[BettinaT]

Hi again Bettina!

About how often do they vomit?

How's their BEAM after they vomit?

Are there any other health challenges

There are lots of hairball treatments on the forum (which you can find by using the search area in the upper right of this web page). Here's one thread that discusses some of them:

Cat Hairballs

Romeo Neutered Male Cat Shorthair Tuxedo 9yrs old 9.5 pounds Eats Raw Indoor/Outdoor Romeo has suddenly started vomiting hairballs almost daily this past week for the first time ever! Its Summer and very hot, so he’s shedding hair. I gave him Vasaline once and it did seem to move things...

www.holisticactions.com

3-4 days between.
They are normal after .

I can't see which on that post ?

 

[Dr. Jeff]

1. Vaseline
2. Papaya enzymes
3. Standard hairball remedies like Laxatone
5. etc.

 

[BettinaT]

1. Vaseline
2. Papaya enzymes
3. Standard hairball remedies like Laxatone
5. etc.

Will coconut oil be good to give also for hairballs ?

 

[BettinaT]

@Dr. Jeff Also i want to ask you,
Is it normal enough that they throw up hairballs about 2-3 times a week?
They are often quite large, about 10-12 centimeters long and 2 centimeters in diameter

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Will coconut oil be good to give also for hairballs ?

Yes.

Is it normal enough that they throw up hairballs about 2-3 times a week?

Thanks for asking Bettina! No, it's not normal.

How to Use Clues From Your Animal Companions to Promote Optimal Health - Holistic Actions!

www.holisticactions.com

 

[BettinaT]

Yes.

Thanks for asking Bettina! No, it's not normal.

How to Use Clues From Your Animal Companions to Promote Optimal Health - Holistic Actions!

www.holisticactions.com

How often should i give coconut oil ?

How often is normal a cat throw hairballs up ?

Thanks for the link. I will do a journal now, so i exactly know how often it is, they throw hairballs up.

 

[Dr. Jeff]

How often should i give coconut oil ?

The more they like it, the more you can give!

How often is normal a cat throw hairballs up ?

IMHO, 0,1, 2 times/year.

 

[BettinaT]

The more they like it, the more you can give!

IMHO, 0,1, 2 times/year.

Thank you for your answer @Dr. Jeff
Both of my two cats throw up hairballs 2-3 times a week.

They both like coconut oil. Can I give them half a teaspoon every day of it?

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Can I give them half a teaspoon every day of it?

IMHO, yes! And since they like it, you can divide it up as a special treat throughout the day. And try to find a clean and sustainable source. And like any food product or oil, make sure it is fresh and not spoiled.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GAT6NG?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl1&tag=anthonwilliai-20&linkId=141aa4ed8d73b0cfbc78782c1574d171&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

@Dr. Jean Hofve, what would you say about this?

 

[Dr. Jean Hofve]

Sorry but coconut oil is digested and removed at the level of the the small intestine, so it's not great for eliminating hairballs. Vaseline (or Laxatone, which is just flavored vaseline/mineral oil) is indigestible, inert in the body, and pushes the hair all the way out the other end, like it should!

If you give coconut oil, be sure to account for the extra (and IMO empty) calories. There are no oils in coconut that cats need. I am not a fan, here is why: Coconut Oil and Pets | Little Big Cat - Dr. Jean Hofve

If you want to supplement a digestible oil (not for hairball purposes), I recommend fish or green-lipped mussel oil for the Omega-3s, which are highly beneficial.

 

[BettinaT]

Sorry but coconut oil is digested and removed at the level of the the small intestine, so it's not great for eliminating hairballs. Vaseline (or Laxatone, which is just flavored vaseline/mineral oil) is indigestible, inert in the body, and pushes the hair all the way out the other end, like it should!

If you give coconut oil, be sure to account for the extra (and IMO empty) calories. There are no oils in coconut that cats need. I am not a fan, here is why: Coconut Oil and Pets | Little Big Cat - Dr. Jean Hofve

If you want to supplement a digestible oil (not for hairball purposes), I recommend fish or green-lipped mussel oil for the Omega-3s, which are highly beneficial.

Thanks for answer.

So how often to give vaseline?
It is this one ?

 

[Dr. Jean Hofve]

That looks fine. If current hairball problems, give daily for a few days, then once or twice a week should be fine. One of my cats loved it so much she got it every day... for 20 years!

 

[BettinaT]

That looks fine. If current hairball problems, give daily for a few days, then once or twice a week should be fine. One of my cats loved it so much she got it every day... for 20 years!

Then i Google vaseline it says its this :
"Vaseline (also called petrolatum), white or yellow, is a soft or semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons. It has a melting point of approximately 36-60 degrees Celsius and is made from residues from crude oil distillation"


And I can only read that it is used externally. Are there better things to use than that?

 

[Dr. Jean Hofve]

Technically, the inside of the intestinal tract *is* outside the body. I use vaseline (petrolatum) because it is inert, indigestible, and because of that, perfectly safe. In my my 30+ years as a feline vet, I've found nothing that works better.

 

[BettinaT]

Technically, the inside of the intestinal tract *is* outside the body. I use vaseline (petrolatum) because it is inert, indigestible, and because of that, perfectly safe. In my my 30+ years as a feline vet, I've found nothing that works better.

Thanks for your answer

 

[BettinaT]

Sorry but coconut oil is digested and removed at the level of the the small intestine, so it's not great for eliminating hairballs. Vaseline (or Laxatone, which is just flavored vaseline/mineral oil) is indigestible, inert in the body, and pushes the hair all the way out the other end, like it should!

If you give coconut oil, be sure to account for the extra (and IMO empty) calories. There are no oils in coconut that cats need. I am not a fan, here is why: Coconut Oil and Pets | Little Big Cat - Dr. Jean Hofve

If you want to supplement a digestible oil (not for hairball purposes), I recommend fish or green-lipped mussel oil for the Omega-3s, which are highly beneficial.

@Dr. Jean Hofve

Now you mentioned fish oil as a supplement. I have not given any oils. But would it be a good idea to give fish oil to my 12 and 13 year old cats? I wonder if it will benefit their older bodies now.

If so, how often should fish oil be given?

 

[GinnyW]

I'd give it every day, over their food. Or out of a little dish if they'll eat it. It tastes great, to cats, and there are heaps of benefits to all the body's tissues. Just a bit, 1/2 teaspoonful or so, would be sufficient. Too much might loosen stools, but will not be harmful.

 

[Dr. Jean Hofve]

Yes! But 1/2 tsp may be too much for many cats. If using Nordic Naturals, just follow their directions; for Moxxor, one capsule between 2 cats daily would be plenty.