Long haired cat - hairball remedies?

[hal]

My super long haired cat is beginning to have trouble with hairballs. I was warned about this - that it would be harder for her as she aged.

I comb POUNDS of hair off of her, but there are digestive aids that help I've been told - anyone using one that want to recommend or warn me about?

[jdc]

Lion cut, every 3 months or so.

[Acer]

Two of my "short-haired" cats could crank out the fur ad infinitum. If I could burn it, I'd have powered the world.

I found Hartz Hairball remedy (mainly fish-flavored mineral oil) to be helpful. Smear a little on the paws. Took awhile, but eventually the cat came to develop a taste for it. Along with daily brushing, of course.

[hal]

jdc wrote:
Lion cut, every 3 months or so.

Hell no! She's way too pretty for that...

[mattkime]

there's an argument that a raw diet can help with hairballs. might be worth trying.

[rgG]

If she likes it, you can let her lick a little Vaseline off your finger daily, and that should keep things moving smoothly. My daughter's Maine Coon cat loves Vaseline.
They also make some other things that are similar for hairball control.

[rz]

We did the fish-flavored mineral oil with a cat who we thought had a furball problem... turned out he had a form of asthma that made him gag like he was coughing up a furball. He liked it, but I don't think it did much for him.

[Blurb]

Adding in daily any oil-based product usually helps. I've used mayo or even (fresh, local) raw eggs on occasion and it's helped. Also can help the cat's dry skin or hair which can also be related, especially with older animals. I always let my cats lick the oils left in the pan when I broil or bake salmon too, which is at least once per week, so that likely helps as a preventative as I see less regular fur ball problems since doing that.