Cat Hairballs

A question about : Cat Hairballs

First off, didn't know where else to post this, so apologies if the Mods feel if it's in the wrong place! (or if it doesn't belong on MSE at all)

My cat is 14 and just recently has started hacking up furballs more and more recently. We give him Whiskas anti-furball treats, which he likes, but still he keeps coughing (and choking) on them.

Can anyone give me some advice as it is starting to distress not only the cat but his loving parents too (awwwww).

Thanks.

Best answers:

• Have a look at :
  https://videoforcats.com/hairballs.htm
  For some advice on dealing with hairballs.
  HTH
• My cat Tiggy started suffering with hairballs as she got older (18 now). I think it's because their body can't process things as well as they got older as she only really had them from about 15 onwards.
  The first thing I would do is buy a 'shedder comb' https://www.petcompany.co.uk/acatalog...ooming_27.html It's the tenth item down on the page. For a close up look of what makes this comb so magical see https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Dog-Cat-Pet-Gr...QQcmdZViewItem
  It has two rows of teeth, the longer row takes out the loose 'normal' hairs and the shorter ones take out the dense/fluffy undercoat. This comb actually has magical powers as Tiggy is shorthaired and doesn't really moult that much but when I use this comb on her I get balls of fluff/fur the size of her head and that is squished down, not just air.
  Just by combing her about once a week or so has cut the hairballs down to virtually nil. I would also recommend a hairball treat called 'defurr-um', you can get it from Pet City/Jollyes and it has the hairball paste in the middle of the treat, they also happen to be absolutely delicious (according to fusspot Tiggy) and she wolfs them down and salivates as soon as she sees the packet. Thanks to the comb and treats I no longer have to follow her round with kitchen roll when I hear that awful sound of one being produced!
  Hope this helps, I know what it's like to tread on a wet, cold, slimy hairball in the middle of the night!
• u can also add a little oil to her food.. i used to do this with my hairy cat and they seem to pass out easier
  HTH
• You can get some weird stinky stuff from the vets. It looks like brown vaseline. Sorry can't remember what it's called. Apparently some cats actually like the stuff and will eat it up themselves or you have to get some on your finger and put it in the side of their mouth.
• I used to get the 'wierd stuff' that Strepsy mentioned, for my last cat, she hated the taste, so we used to put it on her paws, so she had to lick it off. I cant remember what its called, but I know its cheaper at the petshop, found that out after I had paid Ј8 for it from the vets
  Sue
• Thanks for all your help, will certainly have a go at the things you have suggested (apart from the defurr-um stuff which our cat has now decided he hates!!).
  The comb sounds like a winner though as our cat is a real tart (although he is male) and loves nothing more than being stroked/brushed lol
• I dont know why but as soon as cats become elderly hairballs are a common problem,well from my experience anyway.I used to buy some malt flavoured hairball stuff from the pet shop,sorry dont know what it was called,but it was in a tube like toothpaste and i rubbed an inch squirt on the top of the cats nose so she would lick or clean off with paws,it did give the cat the runs for a couple of days though,but she always managed to get to the litter box.You could also try a smear of cod liver oil on cats nose or paws,its supposed to help the furrballs digest so they pass better.Failing that try grooming the cat daily,i know its a chore but it also makes your housework easier if your kittie is well groomed.
  I used to hoover my cat in the summer with the soft brissled hose and she used to lie down and let me too.
• Shocked that Defurr-em wasn't liked! My 4 go crazy for them and two are very fussy - they only like the opened though.
  Best tip I ever heard and most money saving is to smear butter on the front of their feet, so they lick it off. Same as olive oil really, but they prefer the taste.
• our cat now eats eukanuba which does make an anti hair ball biscuit - he used to be on whiskers but it rotted his teeth. had to enforce the biscuits for 3/4 days as he didnt like them but now wont eat anything else. he still yaks up the odd ball but generally is pretty good.
  so a change of diet may help
  good luck!