My cat pooped fur. Is this a hairball? What can I do until the vet?

Hi there. If snowball is having stool that firm and is having a hard time going to the bathroom, it's time for a trip to the vet for further diagnostics and likely an iv with fluids so that she can get rehydrated. They can also give her a sanitary shave to remove the excess hair back there that's getting matted. My best to you both!

This could be due to a mild constipation, possibly due to hairballs. Mild constipation that lasts no more than two days can usually be resolved at home with increased fiber and hydration. Canned pumpkin (not pie filling, just the straight-up pumpkin) or liquid paraffin can be used, and should work straight away in the following 8 hours from administration. DO NOT TRY to give an enema as it could be dangerous and cause electrolyte imbalances and colon perforation. If constipation lasts more than 24 hours from administration of those or 48 hours in general, a check up at your local vet is required. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

Hi and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! You may want to try giving them 1-2 tablespoons of plain canned pumpkin (not the pie filling) in their food twice daily. This extra fiber boost can help with hairballs. You can also try the hairball formula from Science Diet which has a higher percentage of fiber in it than other cat foods do to help prevent hairballs. I hope this helps and thanks for posting!

Hello. My guess is Io will throw this back up in the next few days, but otherwise, I would just take a wait & see. If you are really concerned, you can take her to your vet to have her stomach emptied out ( peroxide does not work in cats ), but there is a good chance this will be irritating enough to her stomach that she will vomit on her own soon. Otherwise, please consult with your veterinarian & thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi and thanks for posting! Hard stool can certainly be an indication of constipation and while a hairball formula can help, you can also try a higher fiber diet (one that is formulated for hairball control) or just give a few teaspoons of plain canned pumpkin (not the pie filling) in her food which can help. However, if she is not eating and is acting lethargic, you may want to take her in to see a veterinarian to get checked out. Sometimes underlying health conditions such as liver or kidney disease or certain endocrine problems like diabetes can cause dehydration and can lead to harder stools and episodes of constipation as well as decreased appetite and lethargy. Certainly worth a veterinary visit if the hairball cream doesn't seem to be making a difference in her appetite or energy level. I hope this helps and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

The hairball oral treatment is about the best you can do at home. If he doesn't go after say 24-48 hrs and continues to vomit then he will require an enema to remove the hardened feces in his colon, poor guy. I would caution about using over the counter enema's, because if they contain phosphate they are extremely toxic to cats, so it is best to have you vet perform this if needed. For long term maintenance you may want to consider keeping Blazer on a fiber supplement and/or a hairball formula food.

Liquid paraffin (5mls every 12 hours) or specific products like katalax can be used to lubricate gastrointestinal system and avoid obstructions. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!