Kittens first hair ball

[recess123]

9 month old kitten randomly starting doing the retch cough gag thing, actually sounded like a small dog!

It's the first time he's done this, I'm assuming this will be his first hairball. But he didn't actually throw anything up.

Does anyone have any tips or remedies to help him pass it? Or even prevention tips?

My cats eat Iams Hairball, that seems to keep them at bay.
You can buy hairball paste to help pass them but my cats won't eat it

I have used Katalax which was effective. Paleocat likes the taste. It is OK for kittens, you just need a very small amount.

Liquid paraffin works well. (assuming it's still recommended?)

As an aside, when I read your title, I wondered if this this was some proud parental boast
Baby's first word / Kitten's first hairball

Aww! His first hairball! A moment to treasure - you must photograph it when he finally coughs it up!

A pot of cat grass can help if you can get it during these times. Your kitten will instinctively eat it in order to help him vomit.

Aww! His first hairball! A moment to treasure - you must photograph it when he finally coughs it up!

Yes! And before you tread in it barefoot in the middle of the might on the way for a wee.

Our longer haired cat gets hairballs a bit - however they had fleas recently ao we were combing him multiple times a day - positive side effect was no hairballs! So lots of grooming if he’ll let you. I always read if you feel them a small bit of butter or oil it helps? Poor things - it looks awful when my fella is retching. Also he sometimes throws up his food along with the hairball

Oh god I'm not looking forward to when he actually coughs it up!
Went and got some hairball paste from pets at home and he's licked today's dose down.
Hopefully that will help him!

They're fine as long as you don't accidentally step on them. Just a little roll of soggy cat wool and a bit of bile. Pick it up in a kitchen towel, spray spot with floor/carpet cleaner of choice, wipe and you are done. Stepping on them feels horrible, but again, wash your foot (and change socks/tights if needed) and you're sorted.
Worst thing is stepping in one first thing in the morning when you've just got dressed to go to work!

My cat saves hers till after she’s just eaten and brings up her breakfast too

Do all cats do hair balls? I've had two rescues since last March (before lockdown!) and they've never done any.

No, some seem to do more than others. I've only seen my boy cat do one in about 2 years. Hair length is a factor. Also, time of year - you see them more in the moulting season.

My girl wont touch the paste but a bit of tuna in sunflower oil seems to help her. I can now usually tell when a furball is due as she'll go a bit quiet and out of sorts with herself for a day or so.

Some cats will also try to self medicate by chewing grass. Grooming definitely helps as suggested above, even if he's a sleek fur type its surprising how much loose hair they still have.

My long haired fluff has royal canin hairball care food, and a dose of catmalt either every other day or once a week depending on how much were having issues with hairballs and poo getting stuck due to hairballs

She doesn't love it but I rub it onto her front paws and then she has no choice but to lick it off after running around looking offended and shaking her paw in the air in disgust

*We're not were!

Be warned though some cats stop eating after they hurl one of mine did I was about to emergency vet him when ds came in (his person) and he took food of him 🙄 my cat acts like im trying to kill him my son can do no wrong