<p>Anyone have any good recommendations for treating furballs? Our little cat is vomiting a lot and I think it is furballs. She is half bald (has been for years) because she eats half her fur (vet has thoroughly checked her out including for skin mites etc and can’t find any other physical reason for the baldness). </p>
<p>She seems healthy other than the puking and I would love to stop cleaning puke up (and inadvertently stepping in it).</p>
<p>One thing you can do is start brushing her every day, or even twice a day. If you get the loose fur out with a brush, there’s less for her to swallow.</p>
<p>Our cat also pulls out clumps of fur with her teeth, and leaves little wet clumps of fur everywhere (gross). Our vet finally concluded it might be psychological, because he couldn’t find a physical reason for it. I started brushing her every day, and the problem has greatly improved. She looks a lot better, too! I’ve had cats all my life and never had one that needed more than an occasional brushing after rolling in dirt, but apparently at age 18 this one needs some help with her grooming.</p>
<p>She has been doing this since she was about 2. She even sometimes chews sores into her skin which is rather gross (or they may be from pulling the fur out). At one point she was apparently almost completely bald (she was my son and his girlfriend’s cat then came with him to us when they broke up and then became my cat - a real snugglebug so perfect for me). I think it may be psychological - I think when his GF got a new cat she would then ignore the old ones, so this little cat that just craves attention (she is the most affectionate cat I’ve ever had and just craves attention from everyone who walks through the door) did not did not like being part of a multi cat household. I think that may have started it and even though she is now an “only chile” and otherwise thriving, she still has almost bald legs up to her hips (looks odd but we are used to it). I’ll try brushing her though and see if it helps.</p>
<p>Swimcatsmom - she may love being brushed, as it gives her some of the attention she is craving. Two birds, one stone!</p>
<p>We use Science Diet Hairball Control dry food. Our cats like it. We also sometimes give hairball control treats (Temptations; Friskies, Greenies).</p>
<p>We bought a FURminator and it works as well as claimed. I don’t even think to use a brush or comb anymore.</p>
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<p>You can buy one at pet stores or through Amazon - check prices - they vary. If interested, be sure to get one for cats - specify short hair or long hair.</p>
<p>We use Laxatone for furballs and general digestion. Also, our vet recommends running a slightly damp washcloth over the cat’s fur after brushing - apparently there’s a lot of loose fur that doesn’t get picked up by the brush. And the damp cloth may feel like a mama cat’s tongue!</p>
<p>We have 2 long haired Birmans and for some reason during the last year we have had hairballs coming up constantly. We tried everything. The Petromalt did not work for us nor did the fish oil dose in their food. We did find success with a combination of “grain free” food, brushing with the “FURminator” and having their bellies shaved where they seemed to lick the most. We went from 3 to 4 hairballs a week to a couple a month.</p>
<p>Apparently grains in their diet slows down the digestive process allowing the hair to accumulate, making it more difficult to pass. I think the shaving really helped and the “FURminator” really thins out their coats.</p>