Hairballs in cats: causes, symptoms and what to do

Cats are great at keeping themselves clean. They spend up to half their day grooming themselves, so it’s no surprise that feline hairballs are relatively common.

In this guide, you’ll find out what causes cat hairballs, the typical symptoms of hairballs in cats, and when vet intervention may be needed.

Feline hairballs are created when your cat ingests hair when they groom themselves. Sometimes this hair passes through your cat’s digestive system, but other times it collects with the digestive juices in your cat’s stomach to form a ball.

If you see your cat vomiting up a hairball, you might be worried. But don’t worry, hairballs are completely normal.

According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, cats typically spend up to 50% of their waking hours grooming themselves. All that cleaning means they end up swallowing quite a lot of fur, which collects in their stomach to form hairballs. Long-haired cats, such as Maine Coons and Birmans, typically get more hairballs, although they still happen in shorthaired cats.

Cats vomit up hairballs so they don’t pass into their intestines and potentially cause a blockage. If you hear your cat making gagging noises and dry retching, they’re probably trying to get rid of a hairball. Once vomited up, these balls actually look more like an elongated oval shape.

If you have an outdoor cat, you often won’t see their hairballs, since they’re more likely to vomit them up outside. But if you have an indoor cat, you’ll probably come across the occasional hairball.

Sometimes, your cat may vomit up a visible hairball. Other times, the signs are less obvious. You may notice:

• The cough-gag-retching combination
• Your cat vomiting clear saliva, foam, or even their food
• Your cat eating grass

Typically, these stop after your cat gets the hairball out of their system. But if any symptoms continue or your cat seems uncomfortable, it’s always best to speak to your vet for advice.

Most of the time, any hair your cat swallows is passed through their digestive system. That means most cats only have the occasional hairball.

The frequency of hairballs in cats depends on their coat length, how much time they spend grooming, and whether you brush them frequently. Typically, short-haired cats will have hairballs once a month or less, while long-haired cats may have them every month.

Feline hairballs are typically harmless – you might not even know your cat has one! But sometimes, they can cause complications.

If a hairball passes from your cat’s stomach into their intestines, it can cause more serious problems, including:

• Decreased appetite
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Lethargy
• Grass consumption
• Swollen stomach

If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat, schedule a vet appointment as soon as possible. If you have cat insurance with Petplan, use our free Pet Expert Chat feature to ask for advice at any time of day or night. Simply log into your My Petplan account and go to the My Support area to access.

If your cat suffers from a lot of hairballs – typically, more than one a week – ask your vet for advice. In the meantime, there are a few other things you can do to reduce or prevent cat hairballs.

• Regularly brush your cat: This helps remove any shed hair, so your cat doesn’t swallow it while grooming. Ideally, long-haired cats should be groomed every day and short-haired cats once a week.
• Consider hairball laxatives: These help coalesce the hair, making it easier to vomit up or to pass through the intestines.
• Monitor how much time your cat spends grooming: Cats normally spend a fair portion of the day grooming themselves, but sometimes they can become obsessive and start overgrooming. This can cause hairballs, since they’ll be swallowing a lot more hair. If you notice your cat grooming themselves more than normal, or bald patches start appearing on their coat, ask your vet for advice.
• Add moisture to your cat’s diet: A lack of water in your cat’s diet can increase the risk of hairballs. Try adding extra moisture by offering them wet food, buying a water fountain, or giving them treats such as salt-free chicken stock.

If your cat still suffers from regular hairballs, speak to your vet about potential treatment options.

While there’s no cure for cat hairballs, if you’ve noticed your cat vomiting up more than one a week, you should ask your vet for advice.

Cat hairballs treatment options include:

• Cat hairball food: These high-fibre foods help carry any ingested hair through your cat’s digestive tract. They often also contain vitamins and minerals designed to keep your cat’s coat in great condition.
• Cat hairball medication: These usually include laxatives and lubricants to help your cat safely pass hairballs.

The occasional hairball is normal. But if you’re worried your cat has too many or is showing signs of complications, it’s always best to speak to your vet for tailored advice.