My cat is 4 years old now.

Up until the past two weeks, I've never seen her hack like she's trying to get a hair ball loose but that seems to be what is going on now.

She has, as all cats do, thrown up every now and then, but not much.

Now, she has this hacking going on 2 or 3 times a day.

I remember my dad used to give our cats a little vaseline petroleum jelly to help them get the hairball down, instead of having it come back up, but I don't know if he knew what he was doing or not, or if it is even good for the cat or not? The cats used to lick it right off his finger like they liked it, or knew that it would help them.

What do you suggest for this hacking cat?

Old remedies die hard, progunr. Your dad probably had the right idea and petroleum jelly has been around a long long time as you probably know and I still use it today for many purposes a few medical purposes, some unmentionable to say the least. But you know, and I may get shot down for this, try it. It can't hurt the cat and he may appreciate it. Modern day vets don't have the same ideas, as I must say. I treat my animals the way I know how from previous experience and what my dad and mom did and they are all healthy and happy.

If you take a look in most of the hairball remedies they are petroleum jelly. Laxatone available at vet offices are that with Malt flavor added.
As pets age they require different needs. Is she inside/outside? Do you brush her? What is her diet?

If you take a look in most of the hairball remedies they are petroleum jelly. Laxatone available at vet offices are that with Malt flavor added.
As pets age they require different needs. Is she inside/outside? Do you brush her? What is her diet?

She NEVER goes outside, she doesn't even want to.

Yes, we brush her about once or twice a week, she is a very short haired cat.

She eats Science Diet for Sensitive Stomach adult dry food with a small, fancy feast wet
Treat in the morning and at supper time.

We've never seen her hacking like she has for the past week or two.

Is the hacking truly hairballs? Or is see coughing? It could be something else. I woul dtake her to vets and see what they say.
It could be allergy, it could be heartworms, heart issue, you just never know. I hope everything goes well for you and kitty.

She has always been very healthy, never been to the vet except for shots.

I tried a little vasaline, and it seemed to help, she didn't like it much though.

We'll keep an eye on her, if it doesn't seem to get better in a day or so, we'll get her to the kitty doc.

You can also try canned pumpkin - not pumpkin pie filling but 100% plain, puréed pumpkin. You can sprinkle some parmasean or fish oil on it if she doesn't seem interested in the plain pumpkin. Pumpkin works like pepto for animals. It soothes and helps things get moving correctly and is a little more natural than vasoline.

If the vasoline seems to work better, you can always put it on her paws. Natural instinct will make her lick it off (and probably do a little dance, too).