Expert: Becky - 8/12/2005

Question
My cats do not cough up hairballs that often, even though hairballs are a regular routine for cats. One of my cats wasn't feeling very well, sleeping alot and hiding and wouldn't let me touch him and would run away from me when I tried to pet him, (this was not normal behavior for him) this went on all evening, I was going to take him to the vet in the morning but he vomited twice, a hugh hairball the second time, after about 5 hours he gradually started acting like himself and by morning it was like nothing was wrong. My question is can hairballs cause cats to become that sick?

Answer
Hi Carole,
Yes, it can be quite uncomfortable for them, and somtimes even requiring surgery for removal.  You can help avoid this by either buying an over the counter hairball remedy, or I just give my cat a bit of butter or margarine on their paws once a week or so. They will lick it off, and it is a great hair ball preventative or help get rid of any.

I hope this helps.
God Bless,
Becky