Seeking Advice: Cats and Hairballs

[SoDesuKa]

Although I brush him every day, Otis gets hairballs. Every couple of weeks I find a little "gift" left in some corner. It's my understanding that this is normal and natural, no big deal. However, the manufacturers of hairball cat food make it sound like I'm putting the animal's life at risk if I don't feed him their special remedy. Seems to me that cats survive pretty good without special remedy cat foods, don't they?

The problem is that he doesn't like the hairball food. I don't want to be negligent. Should I get into a food fight with him over it?

[xultar]

1. Hairball food often pushes through the cat's system before nutrients

are absorbed.

Hairballs are quite natural.

[Talismom]

4. This is good to know!

My cat Arlo barfs them up multiple times daily--really a pain for years now. We've tried all the remedys and nothing works. He's quite thin and I wouldn't want to compromise his nutrient absorption. Maybe we just have to put up with and clean up his messes. My second cat, Ouzo seldom if ever has this problem, so maybe it's just natural to Arlo.

[lateo]

2. Do this...

Every so often put a little glob of Vaseline on your kitty's paw. He will lick it off and it will help him with the furballs.

It is natural.

[Left_Winger]

3. I 'll second this suggestion n/t

[nookiemonster]

5. I concur.

They make other products that basically perform the same purpose, but vaseline is cheaper and more readily available.

Now if I could just keep the cat hair in check.....

[China_cat]

7. Take them in for grooming

and have them trimmed down to a more manageble length. It really helps.

[xultar]

6. Vaseline works wonders and you only do it so often. Then they get

the nutrients they need in their regular food.