It's not uncommon to come across a cat that coughs up hairballs; in fact, it's almost expected! There are a couple of negative aspects surrounding hairballs, one of which being for the cat's own health. So, if hairballs are unhealthy for your cat, but are still seemingly inevitable, how do you get rid of the hairballs? How can you deal with hairballs, and maintain the health of your cat? The answer is quite simple actually, and will allow your cat to enjoy a hairball-free life!
The reason cats even get hairballs in the first place is that they lick themselves to clean themselves, and because cats have a nasty tendency for excessive shedding, some of their hair gets onto their tongues, ending up in their stomach with the rest of their food. Yes, it is pretty disgusting that cats create their own hairballs by swallowing their own hair, but it is a fact of life, and can be dealt with.
One of the tricks you can use is to add liquid paraffin to your cat's food. You just need to add about a teaspoon once every one to two weeks. This fix for hairballs needs more use for long-haired cats, than for short-haired cats. The liquid paraffin works as a de-clumper, meaning it will prevent the hair from clumping together enough so it comes out as a hairball. By making the hair less likely to clump together in your cat's stomach, the liquid paraffin will rather allow the hair to pass smoothly through your cat's system.
Hairballs are a pain for all parties involved. It must be revolting as a cat to have to cough that up, and it's definitely revolting for you to have to clean that up. In every possible way, hairballs and are disgusting, and if there's ever a way for you to rid your cat (and my extension, you) of those pestilential hairballs, then by all means, I say go for it!
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Discover More2021-05-25 03:34:39
Jeanne Edwards
Thanks for the Information on Liquid Paraffin Oil for Hairballs, and of how to mix it into their Food.
Much appreciated,
Jeanne Edwards
2018-02-10 09:08:05
Risto
My vet told me that liquid paraffin is good in bad constipation for cat. But i also erad that it is not recommeded because it makes a film in bowel and prevents food to absorbed. I think it´s not good to use constantly. Only now and then. Better use some kind of laxative .
2017-03-10 10:45:02
EH
What kind of paraffin (brand/label) do you use for this??? All I've seen has petroleum products in it, and I can't think that this would be okay!
2016-11-21 04:38:54
Liz
I am not a cat owner,,,,,until recently rescued Kitty Kat after my dog Curley passed ...for a week now she has gone from 3 feeds a day to barely one,,,,had her since March...thought it might be poisoning...snail bait etc....NOT FROM ME but after seeing your thoughts on this makes sense...she*s still active..happy..thrown up 3 times in last 2 weeks..knew to her..and ud...but no signs of significant hairball to speak of so i*m thinking a wee bit of Parrafin might do the trick....Thank you....Liz and Kitty Kat xxx
2016-10-26 08:29:31
Yasmine
I am just adopted a 4 mnth kitten,not all that into dri king her water,plus prefares hard food ,but will make sure mixed as much possibly can. Dont know if hair ball but was badly constipated ,could see her going tray but nothing doing.Waited till quite hungry added olive oil to tuna tspn ,could see not happy bout oil in it but as hungry ate. Not been for 2 days,usually goes 2/3 times a day. she was abandoned and believe on the streets for 9/10 weeks,how she survived God knows... Im guessing because survived on rain water not like tap/mineral water going see what happens when give her some collected rain water...Read that pumpkin or buuternut squash is good keep them regular,so trying that as well. She is glued to me like God knows,and follows me everywhere go. Found her in my tree,14 days tried get her,finally she sucomed,had to stop feeding her in tree,and she was so hungry so came to food in my kitchen doorway ,had hide behind wall quick shut door from outside and went in front way... 'YES DEFFINATELY ABANDONED,HOW CAN THEY DO IT? But Yeah do try the oil....
2016-10-20 05:58:18
Sue
I took my old cat to the vet last night with constipation. the vet gave me liquid paraffin and advised 5ml 6 times a day! I gave him 5ml last night and 5ml this morning and it produced the desired results. I intend to monitor and give as and when rather than all the time and see how he goes. Definitely worked for him and he is much happier.
2016-08-24 02:54:01
Sylvie Cox
My vet recommended liquid paraffin twice a day for constipation but then was told that it is not good for cats as it sometimes lays in the lungs. Is there any truth in this or is it a myth? My cat has renal failure. I previously gave him Lactulose, Is the a better alternative?
2016-08-13 15:29:04
Helen
Liquid Paraffin is an old remedy for fur balls. I have used it on my cats since the 1970s and they have all lived very long healthy lives. It was a Vet that told me to use it so it is perfectly safe.
2016-05-24 00:57:04
john
Cath Avalon, thats funny, my cat had hairballs and the vet didn't give me gel or tell me to use paraffin ether, but shy actually gave ME A VIAL OF PARAFFIN OIL AND SAID THIS IS THE SINGLE BEST REMEDY FOR HAIRBALLS, but never the less i bet you know much more than a vet and everyone should listen to u, correct?
2015-09-23 00:26:16
Lynne
Cath I know it sounds like it would be bad for the cat however a neighbor of ours gave their cat paraffin on a regular basis all his life and that cat lived til he was 29!!! Many of the things you probably use everyday are derived from petroleum products so don't be so quick to judge.
2015-08-07 21:18:27
Cath Avalon
WTF? Paraffin is made with petroleum. ..what are You trying to do? poison our cats? There are much better things to use such as coconut oil or go to the vet and get a proper gel. Telling people to use 'old remedies' is irrisponsible and dangerous. I hope you dont consider yourself an expert because you most certainly arent. Unbelievable!!!
2013-08-13 05:04:58
suzanne
I am currently minding a cat who has hard feces and I am giving the cat 1ml of Paraffin with her food twice a day. She has been constantly licking herself, so presume her constipation is caused from fur balls. Even though the cat is going to the toilet with hard stools, can you please confirm that I am not harming the cat by giving her 1 ml with each feed, just to help her along. Thanks.
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