Hints From Heloise

Fri., Jan. 26, 1996

King Features Syndicate

Dear Heloise: We never owned a pet before getting our beautiful fluffy cat, Chelsea. She’s adorable and very clean, grooming herself every day. One thing she does is spit up stuff that looks like her fur. Could that hurt or choke her? Is there anything I can do for her to prevent this from happening? - Judy Randell

What you describe is most likely hairballs. When cats groom themselves they swallow some of their hair, which eventually accumulates in their stomach.

If they are unable to pass the hair or vomit it up, it can be a real problem, especially with long-haired cats like yours. Call your veterinarian. Laxatives can be prescribed to alleviate the problem.

If the vomiting continues and you feel it’s happening too much, take her to the veterinarian. Vomiting can be a sign of some diseases in a cat.

Since Chelsea is a long-haired cat, it would be a good idea to brush her frequently, to help prevent hairballs. Meow, meow. - Heloise

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