Shedding season where I live is from March through October. But my senior boy gets very sick from ingested hair. He always has, but the illnesses are getting more frequent, in spite of my efforts, as he ages. I suspect a motility issue but he can't take cisapride because he takes phenobarbital for seizures.
His fur is so fine, it just seems to build up and coat his insides. Then he gets diarrhea, inappetence and vomiting for several days until he finally passes all the fur. When he starts to pass it, it comes out in long flat mats, that's how I know it's in there coating his guts.
He has liver damage from the phenobarbital, and I am just hating having to put this hair ball stuff in him every other day. It's so full of icky things, you know? He's been getting these episodes most of his life, but they've progressed from two or three times a year to every five weeks, and now, as of today, only four weeks have passed since the last episode. I know how to take care of him, when he stops eating he gets large doses of the laxatone three or four times a day, and sub q fluids to keep him hydrated, until he passes the stuff and starts eating again.
I keep thinking I am resigned to these illnesses of his, but it takes it's toll not just on him, but on me too. Not just the worry over him either, but the work involved. Cleaning the carpets, because of vomit and tracked diarrhea, the constant cleaning of the litter boxes, giving him the sub q fluids, (which he does not allow willingly) worry worry worry. I'm not complaining, I don't begrudge the work, though it is hard on me, it is what it is, but if I can find a way to make it easier on me, and on him, I could use the respite.
All the hair ball stuff has artificial things in it. For a healthy cat, maybe not a big deal, but for him, it can't be good. And he hates it. He's a lamb about taking it, but oh how he hates it.
I am pinning a lot of hope on the coconut oil.
I'm paying $14.71 for a two pack, (15 oz jars) no shipping fees or tax, so I think that's a pretty good price.