hairball remedies for cats?

[cookaholicwife]

My shorthaired cat Gidget has thrown up a lot of hairballs lately. I feel like I'm in a catch 22 for how to stop them.

She's on a special food (urinary SO) so I can't adjust her food to a hairball formula. She HATES laxatone, like hisses, growls and runs away when I even open the tube (Long story short, I think her previous vet tortured her with this when she was there for multiple days).

She wasn't brushed much as a kitten so it makes her really anxious. She sheds a lot but after I brush her, she cleans herself and gets all of the excess fur then throws up another hairball.

I found a chicken flavored hairball remedy (Richard's Organics) but I can't find any reviews on it. I'm thinking of trying it, but before I waste $20 for something I'm guessing Gidget won't like, does anyone have any other suggestions?

[prairieglitter]

I have a (fairly) long-haired cat. The only thing that really helps me with him has been brushing. He used to hate being brushed but now I either give him this cuban cigar shaped catnip toy or sprinkle some catnip on the floor where I want to brush him and it seems to relax him. Also, I found that the type of brush helps. I got his brush years ago in the dog section. It sort of looks like this (below). I actually have two--one where the bristles are stationary and one that the bristles are actually somewhat loose and rotate when you move through the coat.

The only other thing might be nutrition, but you already noted that you're using a special food. None of the hairball remedy treats, pastes, etc. ever worked on Dart. Just daily brushing and also keeping the cat hair vacuumed/removed around the house. Good luck.

[niemand88f]

This has kind of crappy ingredients, but it worked right away for my cat. They really only get hairballs in the spring so I figured short term it couldn't hurt. And if it doesn't work for your cat, it's only $6.50 wasted.

But brushing consistently is the best prevention as PP said.

[kellbell191]

We feed a high quality wet food and then also laxatone when needed. Laxatone works because of the paste...you could also try mixing vaseline with some other kind of flavor.

[cookaholicwife]

I'll try the chews and a new brush. She does also eat 1/2 a can of Wellness minced chicken every other day. Thanks!