Expert: Tomay - 1/18/2006

Question
I have an adult cat.  We received him a while back from some friends.  They told us he has problems with furballs but it was nothing to be worried about.  He goes through times when they are really bad.  I have tried the cat foods for hairballs and they seemed to be working, but then a short time ago, it got pretty bad.  He now can spend several hours wheezing and seeming to really be working on a furball.  Is there something I can give him to help him along.  We have now gotten to the point that he cant sleep in our room, because we cant sleep listening to him.  Please help.

Thank you,
Tracey S.
Montana

Answer
Hello,
Sorry to hear about the hairball problems your cat is experiencing.  Check with your pet shop and see if they have products like 'Petromalt' or other hairball remedies.  The 'home' remedy can be found with Vaseline.  Just plain vaseline.  Put a little on his paws, and he will lick it off (same goes with Petromalt and like products).  If this does not prove successful and he is still trying to 'hack up furballs', then a vet visit may be in order.
Hope this is helpful.
Thank you for your inquiry.
Tomay