Ask the Expert: Hairball Help Needed
Updated: Jun. 22, 2011
Your Pet Question: I have three cats; one is always throwing up hair balls and the other two never do!
Your Pet Question:
I have three cats; one is always throwing up hair balls and the other two never do! They all eat the same food, and I give them all hairball paste once a month. Is there something extra I should be giving to the one that always gets sick?
Connie Messing, Manotick, ON
The Expert Says:
Some cats are more prone to hairballs than others and this may be due to grooming behaviour or coat type, or both. I would suggest giving the hairball paste more frequently to the one affected cat. Start at twice weekly and increase up to once daily as needed to control the hairballs. But keep an eye on that cat’s stools, if they become too loose then reduce the paste application frequency.
Dr. Gus Stringel is a veterinarian with Smiths Falls and Merrickville Veterinary Services, Ontario and also works with Big Sky Ranch Animal Sanctuary.
