Hairballs

[Stacee]

my 7 year old cat Gingey was diagnosed diabetic in February started on Novolin, we changed foods she is doing good, glucose levels are within normal range . New problem is she grooming herself again and has started throwing up hairballs. Something shes never done. Normal or should I be concerned?

 

[Larry and Kitties]

The shedding season is starting (longer days) so more hairballs would be expected.
There are over-the-counter hairball meds but some contain sugar. Some use Vaseline (generic Petroleum jelly).

 

[Yong & Maury GA]

I would try the Petroleum jelly first. Once a day, smear a 1/4 teaspoon on her paw and see if she licks it away .

Another alternative is to increase fiber but with sugar kitties the best option for that is pumpkin (not raw pumpkin). I believe you can use 100% canned pumpkin without additives, fillers, spices, or sugar. I found this article: http://www.cathealth.com/nutrition/is-pumpkin-good-for-cats
Don't want to give a lot because it is a natural laxative so you will want to monitor stool firmness.

Hopefully more experienced members will chime in. Good luck!

 

[meowsyko]

Yeah, shedding season, and she's feeling better! Happy cats groom. Grooming is good (as long as it isn't excessive).
Canned pumpkin is good... will probably have to mix it in food or tuna juice or something, I don't think most cats like the taste enough to eat on its own. I freeze it in an icecube tray or baggies because otherwise I find it goes bad before I really use any of it. Can also give a little coconut oil.
And brush her daily so she's digesting less fur. I love my furminator for shedding season.

.....It's also flea season. So if she's grooming excessively, or more in one spot, scratching or 'biting', assume it's fleas and grab some of the good stuff from the vets. Or grab it anyway and you won't have to worry about it! (I just had to deal with that today, fun times).
With new food, if you do find she's grooming too much, or losing too much hair, a food allergy is possible, but unless there are other issues I wouldn't go there.

 

[jayla-n-Drevon]

My boy loves plain old vaseline-he actually gets it as a pokey treat!
no hairballs and regular poo too

 

[Djamila]

I think I got a kitten-sized ball of fur off my civvie tonight. It's definitely shedding season. I agree with brushing regularly to help them out and avoid too many fur balls. Pumpkin seems to help too - both of mine love it! I have found that too much does seem to have a little impact on BG though (my cat is super carb sensitive), so I try to keep it to a teaspoon or two.