Hairballs are a common problem, especially for long-haired cats, says PDSA Vet Nurse Gemma Renwick.
Cats are known to spend a significant amount of their waking hours grooming themselves, which can equate to 2-5 hours each day.
What are hairballs and what causes them?
Cat tongues aren’t smooth, they are covered in tiny barbs known as papillae, which give their tongue a rough texture. This acts like a natural comb, and during their grooming process, it helps to remove any dirt, debris and loose fur from their coat.
Generally, fur that has been swallowed during this grooming process makes its way through the cat's digestive system and harmlessly ends up passing through the intestines with no problems.
Cats, however, can’t digest hair, which means where hair loss is greater than usual, or if the intestines are not moving as they should, large amounts can build up in the stomach and form into hairballs. Your cat may vomit these hairballs as they can’t remove them in the usual way.
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Are hairballs something to be concerned about?
If your cat is about to vomit a hairball, they may begin loudly retching or gagging. The sound can be quite alarming for an owner, but usually there is no harm caused.
Although occasional hairballs can be a normal part of cat life, if your cat starts to have difficulty when coughing them up, takes longer than usual to vomit them up or is producing them frequently, it would be best to contact your vet for advice. Large hairballs can cause a blockage but fortunately, they don’t often require surgery and can frequently be loosened with medicine prescribed by your vet.
How to prevent hairballs
You can help your cat by regularly giving them a groom, this will do half of the job for your cat, as the groom will help to remove any loose fur, meaning your cat will consume less fur when they are grooming themselves. It will also help to keep your cat’s coat in good condition, and it's a nice way to bond with your pet.
It’s a good idea to get your cat used to being groomed from an early age as part of their socialisation. Start with short grooming sessions to get your cat used to being brushed. Gradually build up the time you spend grooming them until they’re relaxed and happy to be touched on all areas of their body, like their paws, ears, and stomach. Most cats quickly learn to love being groomed and many really enjoy the extra attention!
All cats need regular grooming, but long-haired cats need more coat care than short-haired cats. We recommend combing and brushing a long-haired cat once a day and brushing a short-haired cat twice a week.
There are also some products that you can use to supplement grooming. For example, there are a variety of hairball control foods or supplements that may help.
All cats groom themselves more when they’re itchy, such as when they have fleas, which means they are likely to swallow more hair, so ensure to make sure your pet is up to date with their flea treatment.
Pain and anxiety can also cause excessive grooming, so reduce stress by creating cat-friendly space in your home for them, especially for eating and toileting away from other cats. Also ensure that they have lots of hiding places where they can feel safe and secure.
Love cats? Check out our pets section for advice on cat care, from how to take your cat to the vet without stress to how to get rid of fleas and even how to stop cats pooping in your garden
About the PDSA
The PDSA is the UK's leading vet charity, providing free and low-cost treatment to pets in need. PDSA vets and vet nurses provide veterinary care and advice to sick and injured pets whose owners otherwise couldn’t afford to pay the full cost of treatment.
To find out more about cats, including feeding, health and behaviour, visit pdsa.org.uk/cats