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My cat has severe hairballs and is panting. What should I do now?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 10 lbs

My cat has frequent (bimonthly) hairballs that are inherently very bad because they make it hard for her to breath at times, she is currently lying on the floor, on her side painting excessively... I don't know what to do to help her ... should I get something to help induce vomiting or a laxitive?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on December 12th, 2016

This is very unusual that a hairball causes such bad respiratory problems. I think this is serious enough that you need to take your kitty to a vet right away for an exam as there may be other problems causing this. Apart form that you should feed Smokey cat food with hair control additive (if you are feeding dry food), or better canned food, pate style, and a hair ball remedy (it ia a type of malt paste, available at pet stores and your veterinarian), Feed the hair ball remedy every day for a while , it facilitates elimination of ingested hair. As for now, please take Smokey to a vet or emergency service.

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    Answered By Jessica Desrosiers

    Veterinary Technician

    Published on

    If Smokey is in enough distress that she is on her side actively panting you should seek emergency care immediately. It is possible she has aspirated or is choking on a hairball and requires veterinary care ASAP.

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