I have had good results with Petromalt. It comes in malt and fish flavors. I have 2 cats who don't like the malt flavor. With 7 cats, I get the "family size" tube. Three cats LOVE it and take it right off the tube. The others, I smear the inch strip along the upper lip and let them lick it off. I tried putting on the paw as suggested; the paw flicks and the stuff goes flying across the room, to be found days later. So that didn't work for me.

Chestnut needs it twice per week, or he gets constipated. The others, once per week is fine. I rarely have hairballs.

I have also used the food with the hairball control formula. Works for the hairballs, but not as well as the Petromalt. And Chestnut still needed the Petromalt twice per week. I tried the treats (they won't eat those) and teh gel (ditto). The pump was nice, but more expensive than the tube, and that doesn't matter to the cat, just to the person, so I didn't spend the extra money again.

There are 2 brands. "Petromalt" by St. Jon. "Petromalt" by Virbac. I use them interchangeably, I don't notice any difference. When I need it I search online for the best price and buy 4 or 5 to get the better shipping rate. My cats don't like "Laxatone."

Here is the link to one catalog store I like a lot:

http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products.../Itemdy00.aspx

Sandra