ACK ACK. Fur ball remedy?

[meliz]

Okay... please help! I'm catsitting two big fat cats for the summer, and one of them seems to have a wicked case of the fur balls. So far its cost me $50 for the vet to confirm what I figured was the case. Anyway, this cat has very course fur, and well its that shedding time o' year, so the poor little gaffer has swallowed enough fur to choke a horse (or a cat). The vet gave (yeah, right, SOLD) me some medecine, and while it seems to be working (only mild fur ball hacking now), its almost gone. Before getting more of this stuff for him (I hate to over-med) I was wondering if any of you have any home-grown anti-furball remedies? I've heard that a dab of butter would work. Has any one tried this? Also (and this is gross so be warned) is there a way to distinguish fur ball hurl and upset-tummy barf? Would it be normal for a cat with fur balls to hack up his last meal as he tried to work out a fur ball? He seems happy and healthy other than the occasional (once every 2 days or so) power puke-- he's eating fine and beating up his brother as per usual. ANyway, I'd really appreciate any fur ball pearls of wisdom anyone might have! Thanks!

[Cheatara]

we use hairball control food (only corban has hairballs, but it makes the fur so silky soft that we feed it to both of them. It's also important to point out that we use premium quality food, and not grocery store stuff.) and hairball TREATments when he rarely gets hairballs despite the food. The hairball treatments are cat treats with some gel medicine in the center, and they work really well, I think they are pounce brand.

[meliz]

Thanks Cheatara! I'm going to the mall tonight, so I'll look for those furball treat things. The food sounds interesting too, but these guys (the cats names are Ike and Tunie, btw) are already on some over-priced vet-perscribed diet-- for urinary tract infections (could these critters get any *more* disgusting I ask?). Well only one has this condition, but the two little piggies share a dish and I can't imagine the logistics of feeding them separately as both are all day 'grazers'. Anyway, thanks again! And I am pleased to say that I think we may have rounded the bend on this bout of fur balls. He hacked up a motherload this AM (in hubby's shoe-- heh heh), but hasn't puked since. Hopefully its out of his system (literally). Thanks again!

[Cheatara]

urinary tract infections can be very dangerous to cats, so they should definitely stay on that food!

[Petrageous]

Make sure to brush kitties every day to limit the amount of hair that comes off when they clean themselves. I use hairball control food as well as tubed remedy once a week. :cat: