Don Juan seems to be coughing hairballs constantly, but nothing comes up. He's not as playful as he used to be, but that may be because he's a four-year-old adult, not the 18-month-old I adopted. Otherwise, he seems fine.

I brush him nearly every day (which he LOVES ) and feed him Iams Hairball Care dry food. I occasionally give him over-the-counter hairball medication (which he hates, probably because it's goopy).

I know I should rush him off to the vet without question, but I am only intermittently employed and need to watch my pennies. Any suggestions?

Liz