Cat addicted to Laxatone
Cat addicted to Laxatone
My cat PJ is completely addicted to Laxatone hairball remedy. He will cry non stop until he gets some...we call it crack....and he has quite a little habit. PJ hangs out on the washer & dryer because his crack is in the cabinet above...you cannot get by him with out an all out pleading for a hit. This goes on every moment we are home. I have tried just petting him or brushing him instead and love does not seem to be the cure. Does anyone have any suggestions besides tough love to get the monkey off his back? I have tried different foods including fiber fortified hairball remedy foods to no avail. We are going through a tube every 10 days or so.
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LupieLinda
Re: Cat addicted to Laxatone
That is so funny!
I have heard that a little canned pumpkin works for the laxative/hairball remedy. I have never done it, as my cats are Tonks and their type of short hair and a brushing everyday keeps away hairballs (knock on wood). I heard it is the same stuff you buy to make pumpkin pie and you give them something like a spoonful a day. They supposedly love it. It is bound to be cheaper than Laxatone.
Run a google search on the net and see if someone else who has actually done it can give you better instructions. I will look around as well.
Linda
I have heard that a little canned pumpkin works for the laxative/hairball remedy. I have never done it, as my cats are Tonks and their type of short hair and a brushing everyday keeps away hairballs (knock on wood). I heard it is the same stuff you buy to make pumpkin pie and you give them something like a spoonful a day. They supposedly love it. It is bound to be cheaper than Laxatone.
Run a google search on the net and see if someone else who has actually done it can give you better instructions. I will look around as well.
Linda
Re: Cat addicted to Laxatone
i dont beleive this stuff is intended to be given with that amount of frequency...just stop using it period if its not needed.
the cure is determination and responsibility. i think diarrhea is the common result of overdose.
the cure is determination and responsibility. i think diarrhea is the common result of overdose.
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Lupie Linda
Re: Cat addicted to Laxatone
On the net I found a lot of references to useing the canned pumpking, but it took a while for someone to say how much. Also, I saw a note reminding people this is the plain pumpkin, not the stuff with spice and sugar added! This was one of the best explainations I found about hairballs and remedies. It is on a Cornish Rex Breeder's page.
[url]http://www.penmarric.ns.ca/catcare/usef ... rballs.htm
She said just a teaspoon a day adds enough psyllium to their diet to prevent it. She also does a lot more explaining. Good luck.
Linda
[url]http://www.penmarric.ns.ca/catcare/usef ... rballs.htm
She said just a teaspoon a day adds enough psyllium to their diet to prevent it. She also does a lot more explaining. Good luck.
Linda
Re: Cat addicted to Laxatone
Cats do not get addictive to laxatone, chances are you are addicted to giving it to him and you need to cease its use immediately. He is also not "crying" for the laxatone, but probably for your attention.
For WHAT are you giving this? Laxatone isn't a remedy you should be giving every day, let alone one tube every 10 days!! As with all hairball remedies and/or kitty laxatives, their use must be judicious.
You need to get your kitty seen by your vet, if you've been giving laxatone as frequent as you indicate, there could be a serious health problem developing due to it's frequent use. You also need to discuss an appropriate diet for kitty if he has a hairball problem, or a food sensitivity. Brushing at least twice weekly should help. Your vet will discuss dietary options with you or may suggest adding a fatty acid supplement to the diet, but don't self-medicate your cat without your vet's instruction.
For WHAT are you giving this? Laxatone isn't a remedy you should be giving every day, let alone one tube every 10 days!! As with all hairball remedies and/or kitty laxatives, their use must be judicious.
You need to get your kitty seen by your vet, if you've been giving laxatone as frequent as you indicate, there could be a serious health problem developing due to it's frequent use. You also need to discuss an appropriate diet for kitty if he has a hairball problem, or a food sensitivity. Brushing at least twice weekly should help. Your vet will discuss dietary options with you or may suggest adding a fatty acid supplement to the diet, but don't self-medicate your cat without your vet's instruction.
..........Traci
Re: Cat addicted to Laxatone
I was advised to give PJ Laxatone by our Vet as an aid to hairballs...he does get them, and vomits about once weekly. I was mostly wondering if anyone else had experienced their cat LOVING the laxatone that much that they actually ask for it. And yes, he does absolutely beg for it....he paces in front of the cabinet it is in...meowing...gets up and touches the cabinet door...still meowing and follows that tube from the cabinet to the counter like a starving dog...he does not react that way to my petting him or brushing him if you saw his "act" you would know he is after that and only that. A tube every 10 may be a bit of an exaggeration I will try to get a more accurate time span. When we give him the laxatone we give him a spot, not an actual reccomended "serving" size amount, so even though he gets it through the day, it is in small amounts. One thing I was worried about is the high sugar content. We have cut him back to bedtime and morning time...knowing that yes, we ultimately control the tube and if we don't give it to him he wont grab the car keys and go get his own. We brush PJ regularly and have addressed his diet. Visiting the Vet is difficult though as he has tried to take out a vet tech or two...literally. We have graduated to home visits...usually long enough for a vaccination and him to soak everyone down with urine...needless to say a full and complete exam is out of the question. His anxiety ramps up to a point of explosion very quickly, even at home and he becomes dangerous...he has seriously bitten a tech in the past 
Re: Cat addicted to Laxatone
How old is he? WHAT diets have you tried? When was the laxatone suggested and how long have you been giving it? It is only to be used once or twice a week (and not long term), and according to the directions on the packaging. Any more than that and it becomes useless, or, your kitty could develop a problem with it, such as diarrhea and soft stools.
Again, the problem is probably the diet...some hairball diets aren't exactly what they claim, others serve the purpose, but adding a fatty acid supplement (omega 3's) might help his fur become more lustrous, less likely to shed, less likely to cause dry skin, etc. Talk to your vet about Linatone or similar.
Your kitty is only acting as he does toward the laxatone because you've conditioned him to it. Ceasing it's use will stop the behavior and "craving"...If he indeed has such a craving, it could be that he is missing a vital nutrient or two in his regular diet, you need to discuss that with your vet and make sure the diet is appropriate (and balanced).
If you won't see your vet, what are you going to do in a time of health illness or emergency? Vets and techs can gently and properly restrain a cat during an exam, and if they can't, they shouldn't be there. Find yourself a new vet if necessary, but the important thing is getting your kitty evaluated to make absolutely certain there is no other health condition cropping up.
Again, the problem is probably the diet...some hairball diets aren't exactly what they claim, others serve the purpose, but adding a fatty acid supplement (omega 3's) might help his fur become more lustrous, less likely to shed, less likely to cause dry skin, etc. Talk to your vet about Linatone or similar.
Your kitty is only acting as he does toward the laxatone because you've conditioned him to it. Ceasing it's use will stop the behavior and "craving"...If he indeed has such a craving, it could be that he is missing a vital nutrient or two in his regular diet, you need to discuss that with your vet and make sure the diet is appropriate (and balanced).
If you won't see your vet, what are you going to do in a time of health illness or emergency? Vets and techs can gently and properly restrain a cat during an exam, and if they can't, they shouldn't be there. Find yourself a new vet if necessary, but the important thing is getting your kitty evaluated to make absolutely certain there is no other health condition cropping up.
..........Traci
Re: Cat addicted to Laxatone
I used Laxatone but only once a week or when needed. My older cat does not like it, but the kitten loves it.
It would not be good to give so much due to the glucose content and stickiness of the product.
Canned pumpkin or Vetasyl Fiber Capsules are wonderful. I use the capsules and pumpkin for my older cat who is sluggish at times.
You mentioned a lot of agression and spraying with your cat, is he neutered? Has your vet suggested any kind of therapy or medication so he can have a checkup???
Mona, HOneybun and Chloe
It would not be good to give so much due to the glucose content and stickiness of the product.
Canned pumpkin or Vetasyl Fiber Capsules are wonderful. I use the capsules and pumpkin for my older cat who is sluggish at times.
You mentioned a lot of agression and spraying with your cat, is he neutered? Has your vet suggested any kind of therapy or medication so he can have a checkup???
Mona, HOneybun and Chloe
Re: Cat addicted to Laxatone
PJ is 15 yrs old. Right now he is eating Purina Indoor Cat food...not my first choice. He is a picky eater so when there is a food he will eat...that is what he gets. We have tried...Iams, Max Cat, Feladae, Innova, California Natural, Flint River Ranch, Best in Show...he will barely pick at most of those, you know what he likes? Deli Cat. Honestly I would prefer to feed him a top quality food made with human grade ingredients as I do with my dogs who are on California Natural. Any suggestions for others to try?? I have tried this range of foods over the span of years ...he also doesn't like canned food, only dry. I have tried to add Missing link to his diet...it would be easier if he ate caned I could add it to that. He doesn't even like real food like turkey or shrimp. PJ's stools are really quite firm, he does not seem to have any ill effects litterbox wise from the Laxatone.
I didn't say I wouldn't see the vet, it is just very difficult to. For some reason which I can't explain he has changed his attitude towards the vet. We moved 3 yrs ago and so we now see a new vet...who is GREAT by the way...something about that has freaked him out. I used to take him and he was a bit hesitant, but he would give the vet ample time to examine him and vaccinate him and not really get too upset. 2 yrs ago when we went to the vet he was growling, hissing and kinda wigged out...he seemed to "explode" and even turned on me...he emptied his bladder...jumped up and attacked one of the vet techs who was in need of stitches by the end. There was nothing different about the visit from any other...unless it was something I could not detect odor wise or just "feeling" wise. The next time he was due for his vaccines our vet suggested he would come out to the house, maybe PJ would be more comfortable. Well....no, the vet petted him a bit and got to look in his ears, he started getting really edgy...then he felt his belly..much more edgy...then started the injection...BOOM...PJ lost it freaked out and urinated on the vet tech and me and all down the kitchen cabinets and counter. The tech was really good and kept control of him no one got bit and he did get that shot. PJ is nuetered, never sprays other that those 2 incidents...and he is a very sweet loving cat...when we have company he runs right over to people, pushing 2 Rottweilers out of his way, to greet them. His reaction to the vet the last few years is completely out of character. I will be seeing the vet next week and will talk to him about the laxatone and get his input. I appreciate everyones concern and posts here on this board. Thanks
I didn't say I wouldn't see the vet, it is just very difficult to. For some reason which I can't explain he has changed his attitude towards the vet. We moved 3 yrs ago and so we now see a new vet...who is GREAT by the way...something about that has freaked him out. I used to take him and he was a bit hesitant, but he would give the vet ample time to examine him and vaccinate him and not really get too upset. 2 yrs ago when we went to the vet he was growling, hissing and kinda wigged out...he seemed to "explode" and even turned on me...he emptied his bladder...jumped up and attacked one of the vet techs who was in need of stitches by the end. There was nothing different about the visit from any other...unless it was something I could not detect odor wise or just "feeling" wise. The next time he was due for his vaccines our vet suggested he would come out to the house, maybe PJ would be more comfortable. Well....no, the vet petted him a bit and got to look in his ears, he started getting really edgy...then he felt his belly..much more edgy...then started the injection...BOOM...PJ lost it freaked out and urinated on the vet tech and me and all down the kitchen cabinets and counter. The tech was really good and kept control of him no one got bit and he did get that shot. PJ is nuetered, never sprays other that those 2 incidents...and he is a very sweet loving cat...when we have company he runs right over to people, pushing 2 Rottweilers out of his way, to greet them. His reaction to the vet the last few years is completely out of character. I will be seeing the vet next week and will talk to him about the laxatone and get his input. I appreciate everyones concern and posts here on this board. Thanks
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CynthiaR (Whitewolf)
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Re: Cat addicted to Laxatone
Weird..never heard of a cat addicted to Laxatone, I remember I had a hard time givin' to Lucky. And what Lucky did, he spitted and phhffttt and turned his face away. We fought over a half an hour until I finally got it in him. Duh! Funny.
Seems your kitty is very lucky to take it like a pro but don't let him have it unless if this Laxatone is needed when the vet say. Funny (scratching my head in puzzlement)
Seems your kitty is very lucky to take it like a pro but don't let him have it unless if this Laxatone is needed when the vet say. Funny (scratching my head in puzzlement)
Cynthia