Hairball remedy?

[Lkldcatlady]

I've never had to give my kitties hairball medicine, but I think Bob is having a little trouble with them lately. Are the OTC ones safe for a diabetic kitty?

 

[BJM]

Some of them have carbs in them.

A daily dab of vaseline on a paw may work for you.

 

[Deb & Wink]

There are various sugars (corn syrup, malt syrup, cane molasses) in the Laxatone hairball remedy so that is not good for diabetic cats. Petromalt also has sugars in it (corn syrup first ingredient) so that one is not good for a diabetic cat either.

There are various chewable hairball treats but most of them have a lot of grains in them and grains are high carb, so not a good idea for a diabetic kitty.

Best idea was BJM's and the petroleum jelly (aka Vaseline). It's the main ingredient in the Laxatone.

 

[cindyh]

I give my kitties coconut oil to help with hairballs. They eat it right out of a bowl. Works great, and hasn't effected the numbers of the diabetic kitty.

 

[Lkldcatlady]

coconut oil sounds good! The vaseline sounds pretty gross although I guess if it's the main ingredient in the other rememdies, it must be ok for them to eat! Thanks guys!

 

[BJM]

And coconut oil consists of medium chain triglycerides - shorter molecules of fat which are easier to digest.

In humans, coconut oil may be helpful in managing IBD (Dietary Factors in the Modulation of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Activity (Medscape requires registration and is free).