Do you remember your first encounter with those nasty cat hairballs?

The slimy tubes can cause much pain for the cat and headaches for the cat’s parents. 

Generally, cat hairballs are quite common and harmless in the cat kingdom. But if you are not careful, they can cause serious trouble, too. Cat hairballs might indicate an underlying health issue that leads to excessive grooming and the formation of hairballs. Or, your cat might have digestive distress and esophagus damage thanks to the cat’s hairballs.

But don’t worry.

As serious as the problem is, there are steps you can take to prevent and treat these cat hairballs. In no time, your cat will be back to its happy self. Read on to find out how to deal with cat hairballs. 

What are Cat Hairballs?

The scientific name for cat hairballs is trichobezoars. It is a combination of two Greek words. Tricho means hair, and bezoar refers to a mass in the gastrointestinal system. Although we say cat ‘hairballs’ in everyday use, it is not actually in the shape of a ball. The hairballs are usually in the shape of a cigar and are elongated. They are also coated in cat mucus and bile. 

A cat’s fur is the primary component of cat hairballs. This hair could be on its own or also from other pets. Cat hairballs contain bile, gastric secretions, and other digestive fluids. Tiny undigested food particles are also typically embedded in the hairballs. The mucus covers the hairballs, acts as a binding agent and eases the passage of the hairball. 

What Causes Cat Hairballs?

A combination of factors usually causes cat hairballs:

1. Grooming and the Type of Coat 

The frequency of grooming increases the chances of swallowing hair and forming cat hairballs. Also, the loose hair gets stuck on the backwards-facing barbs. As the cat can not spit the hair out, it has to ingest it. Long-haired cat breeds have more fur that needs more grooming. Breeds like Persians also have a higher risk of fur matting. So, these breeds are more prone to the formation of hairballs. Cats with double coats and fine fur are also more likely to swallow loose hair while grooming. 

2. Over-grooming Results in Cat hairballs

Excessive and aggressive grooming increases the risk of cat hairballs. If the cat has stress or anxiety, it might use over-grooming as a coping mechanism. The cat might be groomed aggressively to soothe skin irritation caused by allergies and infections. If the cat is bored or without stimulation, you can observe increased grooming behavior. Similar to OCD in humans, cats can also develop compulsive and obsessive grooming behaviors. Pain or discomfort in a certain part of the body can also make the cat over-groom those areas.

3. Bad Diet Leading to Formation of Cat Hairballs

If the cat lacks nutrients such as fatty acids and essential vitamins, it will affect the coat’s health. Poor coat health will result in excessive shedding, which makes the cat swallow more hair. If the cat does not get sufficient fiber in its diet, it can not move the hair efficiently through the gut. Similarly, poor hydration can also result in slower digestive motility. Some food allergies can cause skin irritation and trigger excessive grooming. 

4. Age, Health, and the Environment 

Senior cats are more likely to swallow hair during grooming. On top of it, their poor digestive motility increases their risk of cat hairballs. If the cat has diseases that affect coat health, it will trigger excessive grooming behavior. Low humidity levels can result in dry skin and excessive shedding, which will, in turn, make the cat swallow more while grooming. Cats are also social groomers, i.e. they groom each other. So, in a multi-cat household, they end up swallowing fur from other pets. 

Are Cat Hairballs Normal?

Cat hairballs are a perfectly natural thing. However, how frequently they occur and their composition is an indicator of normalcy or health issues. 

You can expect the short-haired cat to expel a hairball once a month. The long-haired breeds will be more frequent. Hairballs might be a weekly thing with cats like Persian. Your cat is also more likely to have hairballs during shedding season or a major life change like the addition of a new pet. But, it should not persist. 

When You Should Worry About Cat Hairballs

Cat hairballs might indicate an underlying health issue if the frequency varies too much from the norm. The size of the hairball also hints that your cat is swallowing more hair. If the hairballs appear bloody or have large amounts of food particles, then you should promptly seek the vet’s attention. If the cat has low energy, loss of appetite, and vomiting, then the hairballs might indicate a serious health issue. 

If your cat is able to expel the hairballs without much distress and recover quickly, you can relax. But if the hairball causes extended distress and your cat takes a longer time to get back to normalcy, you should be concerned. If your cat is persistently vomiting and gagging, then it needs professional help. 

It is a good idea to keep a hairball log about the size and appearance along with how frequently your cat is expelling them. 

The Formation of Cat Hairballs

Cats are obsessed with grooming. It is normal for your cat to spend as much as 30% of their waking hours in grooming. It helps the cats to stay clean as grooming removes the dirt and parasites from the coat. Grooming helps the cats to distribute natural oils throughout their skin. These natural oils help in temperature regulation. Your cat can also groom itself for self-soothing when it feels anxious.

Your cat’s tongue is covered in barbs known as papillae. These barbs are tiny and backwards-facing. Their composition is similar to that of human nails with the protein keratin. The barbs on the cat’s tongue help to remove loose fur and dirt as they act like a comb. Grooming with the barbs helps your cat to stimulate the skin. This improves blood circulation and oil production. The barbs on the cat’s tongue also remove loose fur. Your cat manages to maintain the optimal thickness of the coat by grooming. 

Now let us have a look at how grooming causes cat hairballs:

Ingestion of Hair

While grooming, the tiny barbs on the cat’s tongue catch the loose fur. Eventually these fur enter the cat’s digestive system when the cat swallows. How much hair your cat swallows depends on a few factors. The length of the coat, thickness of the coat, frequency of grooming, and duration of grooming time all influence the quantity of hair that your cat swallows. If your cat has parasites that cause skin irritation, it will lead to excessive grooming and a higher risk of hairballs. Similarly, if your cat is anxious, the intensity and frequency of grooming will increase. So, your cat will be at a higher risk of cat hairballs.

Accumulation of Hair

Once your cat swallows the hair, usually, it will not have an issue with passing it. But, some factors will lead to the accumulation of the fur in your cat’s stomach. If your cat has swallowed a large quantity of hair during a short period, the disposal might not be efficient. If the gut motility of the cat is not good, it will slow down the passage of hair inside. Dehydration and lack of fibre can also make the passage of hair harder. Over the next few days and weeks, this hair begins to accumulate. Eventually, this hair begins to form into a concentrated mass. This is the cat hairball. 

Expulsion of Cat Hairballs

As time passes, the size of the hairball increases. Eventually, it becomes too big and can not pass through the opening between the stomach and small intestine. At this stage, the cat’s body begins the expulsion process of the cat’s hairball. The first step in this process is Reverse Peristalsis. During this stage, the muscles in the cat’s stomach and oesophagus begin to contract in the reverse direction. As the hairball passes through the oesophagus, it is shaped in the form of a tube. Then, the cat retches, trying to expel the cat’s hairball with forceful stomach contractions. Finally the cat vomits the hairball along with some stomach contents. 

Potential Complications from Cat Hairballs

While cat hairballs are perfectly normal, they also might indicate serious health issues. If you know these health issues, you will know when to seek a vet’s help. This understanding will prevent much discomfort for your beloved pet. 

1. Blockage in the Intestine

In rare cases, large hairballs can cause a life-threatening blockage in a cat’s digestive tract. In this case, the hairball becomes a physical blockage in the cat’s stomach, small intestine, or large intestine.

In rare but severe cases, a large hairball can cause a potentially life-threatening blockage in the digestive tract. Senior cats or cats with digestive issues are at a higher risk of blockages. Long-haired cats are also more likely to get this condition as they swallow a large amount of hair. 

If the cat has a blockage in the intestine, you can observe lethargy and depression. There will also be physical signs such as vomiting foam or bile, abdominal swelling and pain, constipation or diarrhea. Rapid weight loss, dehydration, and lack of appetite might also indicate a cat hairball blockage. 

Treatment for Cat Hairball Blockage 

The diagnosis of intestinal blockage has to be done by the vet. A physical examination along with an X-ray or ultrasound might be needed. Additional blood tests might be advised to assess the cat’s health and hydration situation. Laxatives or lubricants can help address the hairball blockage in mild cases. But, if the size of the hairball is too big, you can might need surgical intervention. 

2. Chronic Vomiting

If your cat gets hairballs frequently, it will have to vomit frequently to expel them. This behavior can have negative effects on the cat’s health. Persistent vomiting can result in fluid loss and electrolyte imbalance. Dehydration and the resulting loss of essential minerals like sodium can interfere with heart function. 

Repeated exposure to stomach acids will irritate and damage the esophagus lining. Exposure to stomach acids can also damage your cat’s teeth. Persistent vomiting can result in malnutrition as it interferes with the absorption of nutrients. Your cat might also develop food aversion. In the long term, chronic vomiting can cause serious health issues like weight loss and weak immune systems. 

Treating Chronic Vomiting

Identification of the underlying cause will help you effectively address the vomiting. If it is due to hairballs, you should change the diet. You should also support the cat with medications to control vomiting. Fluid therapy will help to address the electrolyte imbalances and hydrate the cat. 

If the cat has severe irritation in the esophagus, more intense treatment options should be undertaken. Your vet will have to perform an endoscopy to assess the seriousness of the issue. Your cat will need medications that will reduce acid production. You might also have to switch your cat onto a diet of soft foods. 

3. Reduced Nutrient Absorption

If your cat gets hairballs frequently, then it will affect nutrient absorption. Large cat hairballs disrupt digestive processes and cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies. This will lead to a weakened immune system. As a result, your cat will be at risk of delayed wound healing. In pregnant cats and kittens, hairball-induced malnutrition can cause developmental issues. 

If hairballs are causing nutrient mal absorption in your cat, you can observe excessive shedding and weight loss. The cat’s coat will become dull and dry. The cat will feel lethargic and weak. Due to compromised immunity, the cat will be at a greater risk of frequent infections. 

Addressing Nutrient Absorption Issues Caused by Cat Hairballs

Your vet can conduct comprehensive examinations and blood tests to determine specific nutrient deficiencies. Your vet will then prescribe dietary adjustments and supplementation to address the nutrition issues.

Signs Your Cat is Trying to Pass a Hairball

Your cat will display obvious signs that will indicate its struggle to expel the hairball. Knowing these will help you differentiate between cat hairballs and other issues –

1. Frequent gagging and retching without vomiting.
2. Short bursts of coughing or hacking with a honk-like noise.
3. Extended loss of appetite and excessive water drinking.
4. Increased sleeping and decreased interest in play.
5. Frequent constipation or diarrhea.
6. Restlessness and abdominal pain.
7. Excessive lip licking and excessive drooling along with swallowing motion.
8. Eating grass or house plants.
9. Labored and open-mouth breathing.
10. Persistent symptoms for more than 48 hours. 

How to Prevent and Treat Cat Hairballs

You can not completely protect your cat from cat hairballs. But you can use a few strategies to support your cat by reducing the hairball’s frequency and severity –  

1. Regular grooming to remove loose fur before your cat swallows it.
2. It would help if you fed your cat a high-fiber diet and hairball formula in cat food.
3. Use fresh cat water fountains and wet food to prevent dehydration.
4. Create a stimulating environment with scratching posts and interactive toys.
5. Maintain a consistent routine and use pheromone diffusers to avoid stress.
6. Prevent flea and parasite infestation, which can trigger excessive grooming.
7. Get regular vet checkups to treat underlying health issues. 

Home Remedies for Cat Hairballs

Even with all your precautions, your cat might still get hairballs. Here are some remedies that might provide immediate relief for mild cases – 

1. You can try to lubricate the cat’s digestive tract with a small amount of petroleum jelly. Use ¼ or ½ tsp of unflavored and un medicated variety. Always check with your vet if you are going to try this solution frequently. 
2. Pumpkin puree (a teaspoon) will provide fiber, which will improve digestive motility.
3. You can also use a 1/4th or ½ teaspoon of coconut oil to lubricate the digestive tract.
4. Herbs such as slippery elm bark help to soothe the digestive tract and assist in passing the hairball. It is usually available in powder form, and you can mix it with regular cat food. 

Commercial Cat Hairball Products

Today, you have the option of many over-the-counter products for the management of cat hairballs. Lubricating products such as hairball gels and paste can help your cat to pass the hairball. You can also try specially formulated cat foods to improve coat health and prevent excessive shedding. There are also tasty hairball treats that contain fibre and lubricants to ease the movement in the digestive tract. 

When to Seek Veterinary Care for Cat Hairballs

Cat hairballs are largely harmless, but the following symptoms indicate the need for immediate professional help if – 

1. Your cat is expelling hairballs frequently, i.e. more than once a week.
2. The cat has chronic vomiting but is unable to expel the hairball.
3. You notice a sudden loss of appetite and alarming weight loss.
4. Lethargy, depression, and disinterest in normal activities.
5. Persistent diarrhea or constipation.
6. The belly becomes visibly bloated, along with signs of abdominal pain.
7. Coughing and labored breathing. 

Conclusion

For veteran pet parents, cat hairballs are just an inconvenience. But, for newbies, they can cause much distress. Irrespective of your experience, you should remember that cat hairballs often indicate an underlying issue. A physical discomfort or psychological distress that is triggering excessive grooming. The nature and severity of the cat hairballs are an excellent indicator of your cat’s overall health. So, you should not take them for granted.