Grossed out by hairballs? That’s entirely understandable, since they are rather unpleasant. The sound of your cat hacking one up is fairly repulsive, and it’s also not very enjoyable to have to clean up a hairball. However, it’s an unavoidable condition of being a cat parent, since even the healthiest cats will occasionally have a hairball.
Read on for a few quick facts to add to your knowledge of hairballs.
1. Their Name Is Misleading
Don’t be tricked by the name “hairball” into thinking that your cat will be emitting round balls of obvious hair onto the floor. In fact, hairballs are cylindrically shaped and may first look quite similar to cat feces. While it’s gross, and you may want to avoid getting too close, one way to distinguish between hairballs and feces is to smell them.
2. Hairballs Are Not Coughed Up
It can look and sound a bit like your cat is coughing while they expel a hairball. In fact, hairballs are formed as a result of hair that is ingested -- so the hairballs are actually coming from the stomach and are being vomited out through the esophagus, and not transmitted through the cat’s lungs. Coughing without a hairball emerging can be a sign of asmtha.
3. Usually a Minor Problem, But Can Lead to Surgery
In general, hairballs are not a major problem. They are just one of the less than lovely aspects of being a pet parent. In some cases however, if the hairball does not exit through the cat’s body either by being vomited or as feces, surgery will be necessary to remove the blockage that the hairballs can form within a cat’s organs.
4. Most Common in Long Haired Breeds
In long haired cats, such as Persians, Siamese, and Maine Coons, the formation of the hairballs can be more frequent as the result of the abundant and fluffy hair.
5. Help a Groomer Out
You can help prevent against your cat getting hairballs in several different ways. One major way is to brush and comb your cat so that there are less loose hairs around for your cat to swallow. Another option is to provide your cat with a fiber-rich diet, which helps promote healthy, shiny fur. You can also provide your cat with supplements that act as laxatives to help remove the hairball from within your cat’s body easily.
3 Tricks for Getting Rid of Hairballs
3 Vet-Recommended Tricks to Get Rid of Cat Hairballs
The terms cats and hairballs almost go hand in hand. Common as they are, hairballs aren’t just unpleasant surprises that you can shrug off as a minor nuisance as they can compromise your cat’s health.
Cat Hairballs Can Be Potentially Be Fatal
Hairballs are the byproducts of a cat’s natural grooming process. As a cat licks itself clean, it inadvertently swallows loose hair. While most of these hair strands are passed out of the system some remain in the stomach and can cause immense discomfort. In extreme cases, hairballs can cause severe intestinal blockage, which can be potentially life-threatening.
Long haired breeds and heavy shedders are most susceptible to troublesome hairballs. If you are looking for hairball treatments and remedies, then take a look at these tips on how to get rid of hairballs, reduce their frequency, and treat symptoms like retching.
Trick #1: Brush!
Brushing you cat daily will not only provide great bonding time, but it will also reduce the amount of fur your cat swallows during self-grooming. There are many brush and comb styles to choose from, and you may also find that your cat enjoys soft plastic brushes more than metal prongs or that one works more efficiently on your cat’s fur texture. If your cat is a heavy shedder or prone to hairballs, consider using a deshedder tool, which can reduce shedding up to 90% by thinning the undercoat.
Extra Tip:
After a brushing session, particularly a static-filled one, run a slightly damp paper towel or cloth over your cat’s fur to pick up any remaining loose hair.
Trick #2: Tabs, Treats, and Pastes
Many products that are marketed as hairball alleviators are mild laxatives that help your cat pass the hair through his or her system. These can be kept in your pet medicine chest as multi-purpose, for treating both hairballs and mild constipation. Laxatives are usually best employed to help clear up an existing hairball problem and not as a long term solution.
Fortunately, there are many everyday ways you can give your cat the minerals, vitamins, and oils that can prevent hairballs by encouraging coat health. Flavored gels that you apply to your cat’s paw—he or she will be immediately compelled to lick it off—are one option. You can also buy flavored treats that contain fiber and mineral oil for hairball prevention. Even chewable tablets are available in enticing meat flavors and can be found in all-natural, petroleum free formulas.
Extra Tip:
The old household remedy of using Vaseline on a paw to prevent hairballs from coming up does work. However, long-term usage of this remedy can result in vitamin deficiencies. You also don’t want to give your cat plain mineral oil, even though it is a common ingredient in other hairball remedies. The unscented oil can easily be accidentally inhaled, which can cause very serious health problems.
Trick #3: Change Cat Food
Many pet food brands have lines specifically designed to help prevent hairball formation. Switching to a hairball-reducing food is one of the lowest maintenance ways to prevent them, but some cats may also need occasional pastes or laxatives. Hairball reducing food formulas employ a two-pronged approach: fiber for digestion and supplements for coat health. The fiber from things like brown rice or beet root will help keep your cat’s digestion active to pass the fur he or she swallows through the system. And the vitamins and oils will help keep your cat’s skin and coat healthy, reducing both shedding and grooming.
What problems do cats have with hairballs?
Hairballs can be problematic for cats, even causing a life-threatening blockage if they get stuck in the intestinal tract. According to Turnera Croom, a veterinarian operating a mobile practice in Southwest Michigan, a cat's digestive tract can typically deal with only a moderate amount of hair. Anything beyond that can leave it ill. Moreover, a bigger problem may arise when a cat has an inflamed gut combined with dehydration. Similarly, your kitty may require prompt surgical intervention to clear the gastrointestinal blockage. Watch out for signs such as your cat losing its appetite because it can be an indication that its stomach is full of hair. You may suddenly notice it becoming a picky eater or not eating anything at all. Other symptoms include vomiting with food or fluid, dry cough, wheezing, diarrhea, constipation, lethargy, and a swollen abdomen. See your veterinarian immediately to get a diagnosis and relevant treatment for your kitty.
Are hairballs painful for cats?
As a cat parent, you will surely worry about your kitty being in pain due to hairballs. Thankfully, they should not be painful or upsetting for your furry companion, although some cats seem distressed when spitting up a hairball. They often go right back to normal after it comes up. However, you should be worried if your cat shows signs that she's in pain when trying to cough up a hairball. It could be a red flag that something else may be wrong. Get your cat checked by a vet to rule out the possibility of bowel obstructions. Similarly, your cat may be vomiting but not spitting up hairballs during the process. Once again, this is a sign that it needs help.
At what age do cats get hairballs?
Hairballs are common in cats, with many having them at some point. According to a study, 77% of cat parents reported that they always or sometimes saw hairballs in the cat vomitus. When it comes to risk factors, long-haired felines and cats that groom excessively are prone to hairballs. The problem may even occur during kittenhood for these cats. Overall, hairballs are more prevalent in older cats because they are fussier about grooming and produce hairballs more often. Sluggish digestion is another reason that makes them more susceptible to the problem. Tammy Hunter, DVM, a veterinary consultant at VCA Animal Hospitals, recommends brushing and combing your cats’ coats daily. This reduces the number of hairs the pet may swallow while self-grooming. You should follow the routine more diligently if you own a senior cat or a long-haired breed.
How to treat hairballs in cats naturally?
Hairballs can be a problem for a cat, but most pet parents fail to notice it until symptoms worsen. Fortunately, a prompt and proactive approach can help you reduce and treat them naturally. Brushing your cat more frequently removes the extra hair that is shed during self-grooming and gets ingested by cats. You can also give your kitty a laxative to help it pass hairballs in stool and prevent intestinal blockage over time. Experts also reiterate that wet food can be helpful as it ensures good hydration that decreases the chances of hairballs in cats. High-fiber food formulas also offer an effective solution. Giving it plenty of water is another way to boost hydration and reduce the hairball risk.
What can vets do for hairballs?
While natural remedies may prevent and address the hairball problem, they do not suffice in case of a blockage. Surgery may be needed to eliminate the hairball from your cat’s system. According to Joanna Guglielmino, DVM, an associate veterinarian at a Seattle clinic, intestinal blockage can be diagnosed by physical examination, bloodwork, and radiography. The vet also considers the history of the cat's pattern of hairball regurgitation to understand the gravity of the situation. More often, they prefer several days of clinical care to protect. This therapeutic approach includes the use of a laxative to help the hairball move through the digestive tract.
When to worry about hairballs?
If you are a cat parent, you should not worry about occasional hairballs once a month. They are okay, provided you do not notice other worrisome symptoms such as a loss of appetite, lethargy, or withdrawal. Watch out if your cat vomits up a hairball every few weeks. Similarly, you should raise a concern if it constantly vomits for more than 48 hours at a time. These signs indicate that too much hair may be blocking your pet’s gut. That’s when you should schedule a visit to a vet to get a confirmed diagnosis and plan an actionable treatment roadmap for your cat.
Extra Tip:
Try growing indoor pet grass for an all-natural way to encourage your cat to eat more fiber.
More on Cat Health
When to Take a Cat to the Vet
How to Wash a Cat
Why Cats Eat Grass and Other Self-Medicating Habits
This information is for informational purposes only and is not meant as a substitute for the professional advice of, or diagnosis or treatment by, your veterinarian with respect to your pet. It has, however, been verified by a licensed veterinarian for accuracy.
