Cats and Hairballs: What You Need to Know to Keep Your Feline Comfortable

3 min read

If you’ve ever been startled by that unmistakable hacking sound in the middle of the night, you’re not alone—hairballs are a common issue for cats. While they might seem like just another quirky cat behavior, frequent hairballs can sometimes signal underlying health issues that need attention.

In this post, we’ll break down why hairballs happen, when they’re normal, when to be concerned, and what you can do to reduce them so your cat stays happy and healthy.

Why Cats Get Hairballs

Cats are meticulous groomers. As they lick their fur, their rough tongues catch loose hair, which they then swallow. Most of this hair passes harmlessly through the digestive tract. But sometimes, it clumps together in the stomach and forms a hairball—also called a trichobezoar.

Hairballs are more common in:

• Long-haired breeds like Persians and Maine Coons

• Cats that shed heavily

• Cats who groom excessively due to stress or skin irritation

  
  

When Hairballs Are Normal—And When They’re Not

An occasional hairball (once every few weeks) is generally nothing to worry about. But if your cat is coughing up hairballs more frequently, or showing signs like vomiting without producing a hairball, loss of appetite, lethargy, or constipation, it’s time to check in with your veterinarian.

🚨 Warning: Chronic or severe hairballs can sometimes lead to intestinal blockages, which require urgent medical care.

How to Reduce Hairballs in Cats

1. Brush Your Cat Regularly - The more loose fur you remove during grooming, the less your cat will ingest. Aim for daily brushing for long-haired breeds and a few times a week for short-haired cats.

💡 Tip: Use a deshedding tool during peak shedding seasons for best results.

2. Add Hairball-Control Foods or Treats - Many pet food brands offer special formulas that include extra fiber to help move hair through the digestive tract. Hairball-control treats and pastes can also be effective.

3. Keep Your Cat Hydrated - Proper hydration keeps digestion moving smoothly and reduces the chances of hair accumulating in the stomach. Provide fresh water daily and consider a cat water fountain to encourage drinking.

4. Address Over-Grooming Triggers - If your cat is grooming excessively due to stress, boredom, or allergies, address the root cause. This might mean adding enrichment activities, providing scratching posts, or speaking with your vet about allergy testing.

Important Considerations

Before making any changes to your cat’s diet or grooming routine, keep these in mind:

• Sudden Changes in Hairball Frequency: If your cat suddenly starts producing more hairballs, get a vet check to rule out digestive issues.

• Laxatives & Hairball Remedies: Only use vet-approved products—human laxatives are not safe for cats.

• Underlying Health Conditions: Skin conditions, parasites, or stress can all contribute to increased grooming and hairball production.

  
  

Advantages of Hairball Prevention

💵 Lower Vet Bills – Preventing blockages means avoiding expensive emergency visits

🐈 Happier Cats – Less discomfort for your pet means more playtime and purring

🏠 Cleaner Home – Fewer surprise messes to clean up in the middle of the night