Can I ask for help settling my new boy, please?

[ShutUpLegs]

He is a resuce - been on the mean streets for 2-3 years and was brought in with a huge abscess on one cheek. He was neutered and treated and them homed with us a week ago, well on the road to recovery.

He is doing really well - he loves a lap and a good scratch. He had the kitchen as his space and is in there overnight. He has just started venturing to the living room on his own during the day after being coaxed in to sit on us in the evenings. He even chased a bit of string for DD1 today.

However, he is grooming and moulting like a mad thing. I have asked the rescue team who think it will be years of outdoor coat coming off and it'll settle. He has been sick three times (I think through fur) although always considerately in his litter tray.

I will ask the vet about it all next week when he has his second vacs but I just wanted to see if anyone else had any observations or tips or if there is anything I should look out for.

Many thanks

[Chancewouldbeafinethlng]

You need a furminater! I alternate between that and a tangle teezer to keep on top of hair.
Have you any cat grass for him to nibble on? It might help settle his tummy. It could just be that he’s obviously not used to the food he is now having but it’s definitely worth checking with the vet. Is he on a grain free diet?

[Madcats]

One of mine used to have a really thick coat. So thick that he'd enjoy being out in the rain. You only had to mutter 'look how the weather has changed' and he'd be busy moulting. We bought a Kong Zoom Groom and gave him a helping hand (it is a big plastic/silicone thing - cats loved being massaged with it). You can also buy anti-hairball cat food (not tried it, but have seen it online).

Or is it possible that your cat is overeating/eating too fast? That will also make them vomit? Then it is simply a case of feeding slowly for a few weeks to let them realise that they do not need to rush.

If you purr the food and the solves the vomiting, it sounds more like a blockage/inflammation somewhere.

[Toddlerteaplease]

A slicker brush is really good for think short fur. Cheddar hates being zoom groomer but adores her slicker brush. It all stays in the brush instead of going all over the place.

[Summerorjustmaybe]

Mm dcat indeed -

[agnurse]

Dad used to give cats a big glob of oral petroleum jelly if they had problems with hairballs. This helps to lubricate the hair ball and they can then poop it out. (Sorry if TMI.)

[chemenger]

I had an ex stray foster who came to me with very thick coarse hair. Once he let me touch him he absolutely loved his wire slicker brush. I took a mountain of dead fur off him and his coat became lovely and soft. Here are his before and after shots!

[ShutUpLegs]

We are taking it easy with the food - grain-free and trying to give it in manageable quantities. Bowel-wise he seems fine.

I managed to comb him with a human comb and took handfuls off him - he's looking sleeker already. I will look into a slicker brush - there is hair everywhere. We have bought a Furslayer-type thing and while its still a novelty the DCs are going great guns at cleaning the sofas and rugs.

Bruiserboy has decided he LOVES the front room so we are all going to be coated in fluff soon. I have made him a blanket nest and he does stick to it most of the time.

He shows no signs yet of wanting to explore the rest of the house. He clearly can't get his head round the concept of Upstairs - he just looks bewildered as we all vanish into the sky.

[ShutUpLegs]

chemenger You have given me hope - your gorgeous boy looks a lot like ours.