Are Cat Hairballs a Problem?
Most cat owners will have witnessed their pet bringing up hairballs or will at least have seen the rather unpleasant end result on the floor. The odd hairball is quite normal and is to be expected but you may wonder why it happens and if there is anything you can do to prevent it happening.
What Are Hairballs?
Hairballs are literally balls of fur that are swallowed by your pet. Eliminating hairballs that are not passed through the digestive system can result in hacking, gagging and retching actions before vomiting to bring them up.
Why Do Hairballs Occur?
Hairballs tend to develop as a result of your cat’s self grooming efforts. A cat’s tongue is rough and has very small “hooks” that collect loose and dead hair as they lick their coat and this is usually swallowed during the grooming process. The majority of this fur will exit the digestive system and end up in their stool but it will sometimes get stuck in the stomach and form a hairball instead.
Long haired breeds can be more quickly to develop hairballs, along with cats that groom themselves a lot or are prone to shedding. This is largely because they will swallow more fur, which increases the likelihood that not all of it will be passed through the digestive system.
Are Hairballs a Problem?
The odd hairball is completely normal but if it is happening a lot, speak to your vet to make sure there are no other factors that are causing the same type of symptoms – especially if your cat is vomiting regularly.
Potential Complications of Hairballs
Most hairballs will be brought up but there can be problems if this does not happen, particularly with regards to intestinal blockages. Potential signs of a blockage can include lack of appetite, lethargy/weakness, constipation and diarrhoea, in conjunction with fruitless efforts to produce a hairball. Your cat is likely to repeatedly retch and hack in a bid to bring up a hairball and may vomit too but in the event of a blockage, this will not be successful.
Preventing Future Hairballs
Hairballs can’t be completely avoided but you can take steps to make them less likely. This includes:
Regular Grooming. Daily brushing or combing will get rid of loose and dead fur so that less of it can be swallowed and turn into a hairball. Grooming is also a great opportunity to bond with your cat.
Special Diet. There are special diets available to eliminate hairballs and reduce the chances of blockages. These are usually high fibre to help to move food (and fur) along the digestive tract.
Addressing Excessive Grooming. Cats can engage in excessive grooming if they are bored or stressed and this can increase the occurrence of hairballs. Getting to the bottom of and tackling what is behind your cat’s excessive grooming can be key for reducing hairballs.