Ask Me Help Desk - Absolutely Gross!

My boyfriend has a cat that constantly throws up hairballs, his food whatever. It's absolutely gross! What's wrong with it? I try feeding him less, that doesn't work. I try giving him more to eat, that doesn't work. We've tried different foods, that don't work. I'm all out of ideas. Please someone help! I want it to stop! Also he always gets on the table and sleeps and along with the kitchen counter tops, living room coffee table and furniture. I don't want him sleeping on or just on anything, but the floor. That's gross because think about it his paws and fur are always in the crappy litter! How do I get him to stop that as well. Please help!

So, two issues correct?
1- hairballs... Go to the vet. They can prescribe a medicine that helps, or there are some types of food that are "hairball formula".

2- Getting on stuff. I was told to use a can with 2 pennies in it and shake it if he gets on things. Also a squirt bottle works. Remember though, if you are not there, he is probably still going to get on stuff. It takes some work to train him where he can and can not go.

The poster above is correct there are many types of cat food that you can buy. How old is he? Purina makes one for cats seven and older that works great for my older 1 that gets Hairballs a lot. It works well. Also Iams has one for hairball control, Meow Mix to name a few and there is always the indoor type that is supposed to help reduce hairballs.
Petsmart has a wide variety of hairball supplements that you can give your cat. Usually 1 time per week after you get them under control, I am sure that they are pretty expensive . Kroger, walmart etc... has a type in a tube alomost like toothpaste that cost a few bucks, my cat is not crazy over it but I have used it, I just squirt a small out and rub it on the top of his paw or put it on his food. It is kind of a pain so I use the food formula.
Also it would be nice if someone would comb him daily or a few times a week, it is a great bonding experience. This really helps reduce hairballs. Also it gives you a chance to check for any lumps or bumps.
Provide your cat with a nice place to sleep maybe a window bed, they do seem to like those. Also the covers are washable. Mine really like to sleep on cardboard. I think it is the coolness, a small piece cut and placed in the corner, is not too much of an eyesore. Also mine love the basement and bathroom floor it is cooler in those areas, leave the door open, see if maybe he will prefer those areas.
I am not so big on shaking cans and spraying water on cats. When mine are doing a no no, I just remove them from it, if the insist then I put them in another room. . I also make a tsk tsk sound with my tongue against the roof of my mouth, normally this is enough to divert their attention. Sometimes I will clap my hands. Normally this is all it takes. Btw I have 4 cats 2 dogs, that I am very devoted to.

Ashbrae, I am going to suggest that you take a step back and really consider the relationship that you are in. This is your boyfriend's cat, right? And it sounds to me like you are not a "cat person". The others have given you advice about how to handle the hairballs. But if you try and keep the cat off all the furniture, you are probably going to run into problems with the boyfriend. (You would with me, if the sexes were reversed.) Most people who have cats enjoy snuggling up with them on the couch, bed, etc. You may be able to train the cat to stay off the table and counters, but getting it to stay off all the furniture is really not going to work too well. If you push this issue, you are quite likely to force your boyfriend to choose between you and the cat, and you may not win that fight. So it may be time to ask yourself if this is really the relationship you want to be in, and whether you can learn to love (or at least tolerate) the cat as well as the guy.

My boyfriend doesn't like him on everything as well. He tries and helps with it, too. He understands how I feel about the cat being on things and throwing up everywhere. I like cats, I just don't like cats throwing up on my stuff. My boyfriend is in total agreement with me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by froggy7

Ashbrae, I am going to suggest that you take a step back and really consider the relationship that you are in. This is your boyfriend's cat, right? And it sounds to me like you are not a "cat person". The others have given you advice about how to handle the hairballs. But if you try and keep the cat off all the furniture, you are probably going to run into problems with the boyfriend. (You would with me, if the sexes were reversed.) Most people who have cats enjoy snuggling up with them on the couch, bed, etc. You may be able to train the cat to stay off the table and counters, but getting it to stay off all the furniture is really not going to work too well. If you push this issue, you are quite likely to force your boyfriend to choose between you and the cat, and you may not win that fight. So it may be time to ask yourself if this is really the relationship you want to be in, and whether you can learn to love (or at least tolerate) the cat as well as the guy.