What Are Hairballs?
Hairballs are small clumps of shed hair that a cat swallows while grooming itself with its tongue. Since a cat’s tongue has tiny hook-like structures that act like a brush, it picks up loose hair and the cat swallows it. Most of the ingested hair passes through the digestive system and is excreted with the stool, but sometimes the hair accumulates in the stomach and forms a small ball, which the cat may later vomit.
Causes of Hairball Formation:
- Excessive Self-Grooming: Cats that groom themselves a lot are more likely to swallow large amounts of hair.
- Shedding Seasons: During spring and fall, cats shed more fur, increasing the risk of hairball formation.
- Fur Length: Long-haired cats, such as Persians and Maine Coons, are more prone to hairballs than short-haired cats.
- Lack of Brushing: When a cat isn’t brushed regularly, dead hair remains on its body and is later ingested.
Symptoms of Hairballs:
- Frequent vomiting (especially without food)
- Frequent coughing or gagging
- Decreased appetite or lethargy (in rare cases)
- Constipation or stool containing hair
Ways to Prevent and Reduce Hairballs:
Regular Brushing:
Brushing your cat daily helps remove dead hair before it’s swallowed.
Use a brush that’s suitable for your cat’s coat type.You can check the cat hair care section and choose the appropriate brush for your cat
Providing Special Food:
There are commercial foods specially formulated to reduce hairballs. These contain fibers that aid digestion and help pass the hair through the digestive system.
Using hairball removal paste:
There are special pastes (Hairball Remedies) that help move hair through the digestive tract and reduce hairball formation.
Increasing Fiber in the Diet:
Fiber helps hair pass with the stool. You can offer small amounts of cooked pumpkin or natural fibers with your vet’s approval.
Our veterinarians are ready to help you and provide medical consultations through the Aseel app
