Question:
My small, 8-year-old spayed, mixed-breed cat, Chrissie, has a thick coat of fine, semi-long fur that she keeps meticulously clean. Consequently, every two or three days she vomits a 2-inch fur ball (along with her other stomach contents) on the living room carpet or whatever piece of furniture she is sitting or sleeping on at the time. I have seen her suddenly wake up and vomit a large fur ball right then and there. Combing and brushing are no help, as her fur is too fine. Our vet proposed giving her phenobarbital, but I didn't agree to that. Can you suggest a solution?.
J.K.S., Cheverly, Md Jun 27, 2004
Answer:
Vomiting up "sausages" or "cigars" of swallowed, compacted fur is so common in cats that it has led some cat food manufacturers to produce special diets to ostensibly prevent this problem.Regular grooming on a daily basis is called for; using a moist sponge over your cat's fur may make it easier to collect loose fur in a fine comb or brush. The less loose fur, the less your cat will swallow.Adding more roughage or fiber to her diet may help, too, such as a tablespoonful of chopped wheatgrass, sprouted greens or cooked rolled oats. A few drops of fish oil or a half-teaspoon of flaxseed oil in her food every day will also help improve her coat.I would never give your cat a drug like phenobarbital, which could knock her out so much that she wouldn't groom herself. Besides, prolonged use can cause liver damage.
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