Sharing your life with a feline friend brings immense joy, but dealing with cat hairballs is often less pleasant. Many cat owners believe hairballs are an unavoidable part of cat ownership. However, while cats naturally groom and ingest fur, a healthy cat should be able to process and eliminate this hair without issue through their digestive system and into the litter box.
Let’s explore why hairballs occur, how to effectively treat them, and most importantly, how to prevent hairballs in your beloved cat.
Recognizing a Cat Hairball: What to Look For
Typically, a cat hairball appears as a cylindrical wad of fur. Its tubular shape is a result of being forced back up through the esophagus. Fresh hairballs are usually moist but can quickly dry out if unnoticed. It’s easy to mistake a hairball for cat poop if you find it outside the litter box.
However, cat hairballs don’t always present in this classic form. You might encounter a looser clump of fur mixed with food, mucus, or fluid, sometimes stained with bile. In these instances, it can be challenging to determine if your cat is vomiting due to a hairball or if the hair is simply present within the vomit.
Image credit: Roo the cat
Decoding the Causes: Why Do Cats Develop Hairballs?
All cats ingest hair during grooming, but why are some cats more prone to hairballs than others?
Fur is indigestible, primarily composed of keratin, a protein that resists breakdown by the acids and enzymes in a cat’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract. When excessive fur accumulates in the GI tract, it tends to tangle and form large clumps – hairballs.
While a healthy feline digestive system is equipped to handle normal amounts of swallowed fur, hairball development arises from two main categories of issues:
1. Excessive Fur Ingestion: This can be due to several factors:
- Long-haired Breeds: Long-haired cats naturally ingest more fur during grooming.
- Skin Conditions: Cats with skin diseases may experience increased shedding or excessive grooming to alleviate discomfort.
- Overgrooming: Cats that overgroom often triggered by stress, boredom, or behavioral problems, ingest significantly more fur.
2. Gastrointestinal Tract Issues: Certain diseases or conditions affecting the GI tract can hinder the normal passage of fur.
Hairball Symptoms: Recognizing the Signs
While often described as “coughing up a hairball,” the process is actually retching and vomiting. The sound of retching can sometimes be mistaken for coughing, but hairballs originate in the digestive system, not the respiratory tract.
If you’re present when your cat is attempting to expel a hairball, you might observe these telltale signs: Many cats become vocal and restless when they feel the urge to vomit. Their abdomen will visibly contract multiple times accompanied by retching sounds.
Sometimes, a hairball isn’t expelled immediately, requiring several attempts. You might hear persistent retching and notice clear or brownish fluid spots where your cat has tried to vomit.
It’s important to remember that “coughing up a hairball” is actually retching and vomiting.
Successful expulsion of a hairball is typically followed by immediate relief and a return to normal behavior. This distinguishes hairball-related vomiting from other types of cat vomiting, which are often accompanied by persistent nausea and additional symptoms like lethargy and decreased appetite.
Seek veterinary advice if your cat attempts to vomit multiple times (two or three) in a single day, regardless of whether a hairball is produced, or if vomiting persists for more than a day or two. This could indicate a lodged hairball or another underlying health issue unrelated to hairballs.
Cat Hairball Treatment: When to Seek Veterinary Care
For cats experiencing infrequent hairballs, perhaps once a month or less, home treatment may suffice. However, veterinary consultation is crucial for cats with more frequent hairballs or those exhibiting additional symptoms such as:
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Persistent vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
Veterinary Diagnosis and Treatment for Hairballs
Veterinarians diagnose hairball issues through a comprehensive approach. They will start by gathering information about your cat’s symptoms, frequency of hairballs, and overall health history. A thorough physical examination will follow.
Diagnostic testing may include:
- Skin scrapings (to check for mites)
- Ringworm cultures
- Cytology (to rule out skin infections)
- Abdominal X-rays or ultrasound
- Blood work and urinalysis
- Fecal examinations
- Hypoallergenic food trials
- Biopsies of the gastrointestinal tract or skin
These tests help identify any underlying medical or behavioral issues contributing to hairball formation. If an underlying condition is found, your veterinarian will recommend appropriate treatment.
Home remedies are not suitable for cats with frequent hairballs.
In cases of severe hairball blockages in the GI tract, surgery may be necessary to remove the hairball. During surgery, the veterinarian will also examine the entire digestive system for additional hairballs and address any tissue damage.
Home Remedies for Occasional Cat Hairballs
Home treatment is not appropriate for cats with frequent hairballs, as an underlying health problem is often the root cause. However, for infrequent hairball occurrences, consider these safe home remedies:
Important Note: Never administer cooking oils, butter, lard, grease, or mineral oil to your cat for hairball relief. Cooking oils and fats are simply digested and offer no benefit. Mineral oil is extremely dangerous if inhaled during vomiting, which is a significant risk.
Preventing Hairballs in Cats: Proactive Measures
Once your cat is hairball-free, prevention is key. While managing underlying health issues is crucial, these preventative strategies can significantly reduce hairball formation:
- Regular Brushing: Brush your cat more frequently, especially long-haired breeds, to remove loose fur before it’s ingested during grooming.
- Hairball Control Gels: Administer hairball-control gels like Laxatone two to three times weekly. These gels lubricate the digestive tract, aiding in the passage of hair.
- Dietary Fiber: Increase fiber intake through hairball control treats, nutritional supplements, or switching to a specialized hairball control cat food. High-fiber diets help move hair through the digestive system more effectively.
By collaborating with your veterinarian, you can develop the most effective strategy for treating and preventing hairballs, ensuring a happier and healthier life for your feline companion. Your cat will surely thank you!
Featured image: iStock.com/krblokhin
