Fun fact about me: until the 2020 pandemic, I rarely had hairballs! That was the year or so without cat shows and instead of getting several bath and grooming sessions a month, I only had them a few times. All the excess fur I deal with has to go somewhere! Hence the hairballs.
Hairball Basics
Hairballs (or the technical term for them, trichobezoars) are cigar-shaped wads of hair that your cat regurgitates. Hair is made up of a type of indigestible protein called keratin. Most of these pass through your cat’s digestive system. But the excess accumulates in your cat’s stomach and comes back up.
This happens because of your cat’s unique grooming tool — the barbs on their tongue. When your cat grooms itself, the barbs comb through their fur and pick up any loose hair, which they swallow. If you’ve ever seen a close-up of a cat’s tongue, you’ll see the barbs point back, so they have to swallow the fur. They couldn’t spit it out.
Why You Should Care About Hairballs
Yes, hairballs are an unpleasant mess that no one enjoys cleaning up. (And believe me, us cats don’t enjoy sniffing them either!) But hairballs can pose serious health risks to your cat.
If a hairball grows large enough, it can cause a life-threatening intestinal blockage. It’s also possible for a large hairball to get stuck in your cat’s esophagus. Both of these problems are emergencies that require an immediate visit to the vet or emergency clinic.
It’s fairly normal for healthy cats to have a hairball once a month or so. But when it becomes a frequent occurrence, it can indicate other problems. This could be anything from over-dressing due to stress or a skin condition, to a gastrointestinal problem. Although it’s not an emergency like a blockage, hairballs that occur once a week or more should be discussed with your veterinarian.
Reducing Hairballs in Your Cat
There are several ways to fight hairballs before they start. I’ll start with the most important.
Arrangement
Regular brushing is always at the top of the list for hairball prevention. Of course, you don’t have to give your cat a full bath and groom like I got for my shows. Although if you have a cat with long, thick fur, like a Persian or a Maine Coon, getting them professionally groomed a few times a year isn’t a bad idea. But it’s regular brushing that will really reduce your cat’s chances of throwing a hairball.
Ideally, all cats should be trained to be brushed and combed regularly from a young age. But any age is good to start. If your cat has never been brushed, start easy by getting them used to the brush. Hold it up to their face and let them rub it. Let them take control. Take it easy to help them adjust to being brushed. Start with the areas they want you to touch, and go from there.
Also, try different combs and brushes. Cats respond differently to different bristles and brush types. Avoid forcing them to stay. Let them roam if they want. Cats don’t want to lose control in any situation. If they show signs of overstimulation – skin twitching, tail wagging, or low growling – end the session. And always end the grooming with their favorite treat, whether it’s food, playtime, or catnip.
Although most people assume that longhaired cats are the most likely to develop hairballs, it also depends on the thickness of the coat. Some shorthaired cats have lots of fur, and some long-haired cats (like me) have sleeker, silkier coats. But the truth is, we all need a regular trim.
Hairball Treats and Supplements
These should not be used as a substitute for regular grooming, but they can help. These are usually gels or high fiber and are specifically designed to move fur through the cat’s digestive tract. Read the label and always follow the directions. If you are forced to give more than recommended, your cat may be dealing with a medical issue that needs to be taken care of.
Never give your cat oils from your kitchen cupboard in an attempt to help them with hairballs. And don’t give them laxatives without a vet’s recommendation.
Exercise
Yes, exercise. Keeping your cat active improves their overall health, and helps things move through their digestive tracts. This is especially important for older cats, whose GI systems can slow down a bit, and cats that groom themselves out of boredom.
When Hairballs Require Veterinary Intervention
If your cat is throwing up hairballs several times a month, you should discuss that with your veterinarian. They may have some helpful suggestions or recommend a special diet. But there are times when hairballs can pose a serious health risk to your cat.
Symptoms of a Serious Hairball Problem
- Dizziness
- Constantly trying to throw up, but to no avail
- The vomit is only liquid or bile, and the hairball never comes out
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea, or constipation
- Stomach swelling
These could mean that your cat has a hairball stuck in their digestive tract. They will need the help of a vet to get it out. Your vet will likely give your cat some type of laxative and keep them for observation until it passes. It is more likely to be treated with surgery.
The best way to deal with hairballs is prevention, and keep regular checkups with your vet. If you let your vet know about any changes happening in your cat, you can deal with any problems, hairballs or otherwise, before they become a serious issue.
Have you ever had a hairball problem with your cat? Let’s talk about it in the comments.
