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Cats/Feline Fur Balls

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Expert: - 11/29/2008


Question
The only product that was able to aleviate the daily vomiting of furballs was a powder call Booda Mix.  Booda has discontinued it and my cat is back to vomiting.  I have tried numerous other products and foods but nothing helped like the Booda Mix -- in fact, the Booda Mix eliminated the problem entirely for about 10 yrs!  Are you able to help me get the formula for the Booda Mix or an identical product?  Any help is much appreciated.
Thanks.
Ann
PS - My cat has seen a vet about the problem, has had an endoscopy, etc and is healthy

Answer
Ann,

If fur balls are your problem there are several things you can try. I can't speak with any authority about the Booda Mix as I'm not sure it's even available in Canada. Your kitty may be less likely to vomit furballs if you add some fiber to his/her diet in the form of canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling). There are a good number of cats that seemed to like this treatment when I've offered it and it works well to help move the hairballs through their systems and out the other end. You could also try veggies like lettuce, sweet potato, broccoli and squash. About a tablespoon of these fiber sources should help to end your hairball problem fairly effectively and inexpensively. If you would rather purchase a product on the market specifically for hairballs you can get hairball remedies and pastes for cats at most pet supply stores. Regular grooming with the use of a deshedding tool will also cut down on the hairballs. I would recommend that you brush your cat a minimum of once daily with a deshedding tool, but do be gentle as your kitty can get blade burns on his/her skin if you are too rough.

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Ali

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I am the proud guardian of 5 mixed breed cats ranging from 12 weeks to 13 years old and one purebred ragdoll. I have 20+ years experience working with mixed breed cats from a variety of different situations. I have fostered cats/kittens with special needs/behavioral issues. I have rescued/rehabilitated/re-homed a variety of stray/abused cats. I can offer advice on managing feral cat colonies, rehabilitating strays and finding them forever homes. I can help you to determine whether a cat is stray or feral, there IS a significant difference. Improperly introducing a new cat/kitten can result in aggression between newly introduced cats because cats are territorial by nature and they don't like sudden changes in their environment. To learn more about a peaceful way to introduce a new cat into a home with other cats please check out my previous answers on this subject. Proper nutrition for cats can be confusing, I recommend checking out catinfo.org which was created by a veterinarian (Dr. Lisa Pierson) who takes a common sense approach to explaining feline nutrition. Cat behavior and instincts are different from those of humans, I can help you understand your cat's needs so that you can meet them adequately and have a balanced, psychologically and physically sound kitty. Cats vary in personality, energy level and intelligence, different approaches may be required to achieve results in terms of training and interaction with your feline companion. An intelligent, high energy cat must be kept busy or they will make their own fun. I am NOT a licensed veterinarian and I can't offer medical advice. If your cat is ill/injured my advice is always the same: get prompt medical treatment provided by a veterinarian. If finances are an issue I will try to find resources in your area that can help with medical costs or make other choices to ensure the welfare of your cat.

Experience

I have fostered feral and stray cats, rehabilitated and homed cats that many people recommended euthanasia for. I am willing to make an effort to do the research and ask questions because I care enough to find solutions to behavioral problems rather than giving up. I have an interest in the use of alternative therapies to help provide the best possible care for all cats and I can say in all honesty that I've seen some incredible things happen for some incredible cats and their human caregivers when the right alternative therapeutic modality is used by a qualified veterinarian with expertise and experience in the field.

Education/Credentials
I've earned my diploma as a veterinary assistant with honors.

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