When Should I Be Concerned
If your cat vomits more than 2 real hairballs over the course of one year, you should discuss this with your veterinarian and if you find vomited liquid with strands of hair on the floor, you should take your cat to your veterinarian to investigate the cause for vomiting. Seek immediate medical attention if your cat is showing any of these symptoms:
- Hacking, but not vomiting a hairball
- Evidence of abdominal pain
Causes Of Hairballs In Cats
The main cause of a hairball is loose hair that has been ingested but not passed through the intestinal tract.
It is no secret that cats spend hours licking and grooming their fur. Your cat swallows the loose or dead fur that sticks to their tongue, and the hair is digested and eliminated through the feces. However, there are times when the hair accumulates in the stomach. This creates a hairball that is vomited up with food or fluid.
Excessive grooming, long coats, and shedding also play a factor in swallowing loose fur. The loose fur can become a hairball at any time, but the condition usually harmless unless it is happening often or leads to intestinal blockage.
Cat Keeps Throwing Up Hairballs
A number of fun cat bowls are available to help slow your cat’s eating, if your cat eats too quickly. If your cat is vomiting up hair or any other substance on a regular basis, it could be an indication of a digestive disorder or something more serious.
Is It Normal For Cats To Throw Up Hairballs Hairball
Read Also: Is Blue Buffalo Good Cat Food
What Causes Cat Hairballs
Almost all cats have hairballs, but some cats are more prone to recurrent or frequent hairballs than others.
- Recurrent hairballs are frequently seen in certain longhaired cat breeds like Himalayans, Maine Coons, Norwegian Forest Cats, Persians, Ragdolls, and Siberians, or in any breed or mixed breed cats with a lot of hair.
- Hairballs can also be a problem in cats that obsessively overgroom themselves .
- A lack of regular brushing on the part of the cat owner can also cause a cat to ingest too much hair when grooming herself, which can lead to hairballs.
- Finally, some cats may develop recurrent hairballs if they have issues with gastrointestinal motility .
Make Life Sweeter For A Coughing Cat
All coughing is caused by something your job is to find what that is and take steps to prevent it from being a problem. There are a few things you can do to help keep your kitty cough free:
- Cut stress keep feeding, play and general life as routine as possible for your kitty. Cats often get sick when their schedules are out of whack.
- Maintain a healthy weight feeding a high quality, appropriate diet and keeping your cat active will help prevent many health issues, including coughing.
- Test for internal parasites that could be causing the cough.
- Switch to a dust free litter, preferably something unscented to minimise irritation.
- Run an air purifier or humidifier to improve the air quality and filter out possible irritants.
- Eliminate household sprays such as plug-in room fresheners, hairsprays, deodorants and insect sprays. If you cant eliminate these things then at least make sure youre not spraying them near your cat.
- Dont expose your cat to cigarette smoke, especially if he has asthma.
- Keep up with regular vaccines and include worming in this routine, especially if you live in a mosquito infested area.
- Dont overlook hairballs but also dont assume. If your cat is coughing but has nothing to show for it, the problem is likely to be something else.
Whats going on with your coughing cat? If you have any questions or comments please feel free to leave them in the box below
Read Also: How To Draw A Cat Step By Step Realistic
Why Is My Cat Eating Hair
Don’t worry, your kitty doesn’t see her coat as a midday snack. Cats ingest hair as they are self-groomers, which means they keep themselves clean by licking themselves. You may already know if you’ve been the recipient of a cat’s fond kisses, their tongues are quite rough. That roughness gives your fastidious pet a way to remove the dirt, debris, and loose hair from her coat, allowing her to remain sleek and clean without human help . Unfortunately, however, cats are unable to digest their hair. That is why hairballs have to be excreted one way or the other.
Hairball Treatment For Cats
When your cat has hairballs, its common to wonder what treatments are available. There are lots of home remedies online, especially for oils and lubricants. However, we dont advise trying these.
You can buy a specialist cat hairball treatment paste that contains a laxative and lubricant to help them pass through the digestive system. But this is not generally needed. If you do use it, follow the instructions to the letter.
One particularly effective treatment is hairball cat food. These kibble-based products contain lots of fibre to help take excess fur through the digestive system. They also contain vitamins and minerals to keep your cats fur in good condition and reduce hair loss.
Finally, vets can prescribe treatments for hairballs in severe cases.
You May Like: Is Blue Buffalo Good Cat Food
It Looks Like Somebody Puored Out Some Dry Cat Food And Put A Few Drops Of Water On It To Slightly Moisten
Cat keeps throwing up hairballs. Remove all of the cat’s food and water immediately. Commonly, cats will vomit up clear liquid prior to a hairball.although, a cat vomiting up clear liquid with a hairball occasionally can be normal and not a concern, it is important to note that hairballs should not be frequent, painful, or difficult for your cat to pass. Why is my cat vomiting?
Is she just eating too fast and not digesting? Many cat owners think hairballs are a fact of life, but you can stop these occurrences using a home remedy. Hairballs are a relatively common problem in cats, though typically your cat should only bring up 1 a week or so.
Most cats throw up hairballs occasionally. The more fur you remove from your cat, the less fur that will end up as hairballs in their stomach. Pet parents can help prevent hairballs by adding a bit of fiber to the cat’s diet.
Although a cat vomiting up a hairball every so often is normal, there are times when you may need to be concerned. If your cat seems to be having trouble with a hairball, you can try a home remedy, such as a hairball paste or even petroleum jelly. Why does my cat keep throwing up her dry food?
Why is my cat throwing up hairballs? If you arent sure if your cat is vomiting hairballs more often than what would be considered normal, consult with a vet. What many cat owners dont realize is that it isnt normal for cats to frequently cough up hairballs.
If not, proceed to step 3.
Pin on Medical for Pets
When Can Cat Hairballs Become Dangerous
In and of themselves, hairballs are harmless. However, if your cat is wandering around the house and repeatedly retching with no sign of a hairball , then take them to the vet immediately. It could be a sign that the hairball has moved from their stomach to their intestine. This is a serious condition that should be addressed by a vet immediately.
You should take your cat to the vets if they have any of these cat hairball symptoms:
- Prolonged gagging, vomiting, retching without producing a hairball
- A drop in appetite
- A swollen or sensitive stomach
Recommended Reading: Blue Wilderness Cat Food Sensitive Stomach
Do Hairballs Present Any Risk
The occasional hairball is a perfectly normal and healthy thing for your catits just a part of life, unpleasant as it may seem. Its when hairballs become frequent that you may have cause to worry. It could mean that something is causing your cat to swallow more hair than she should, like a parasitic infestation or a skin infection.
Take note that vomiting is not the same thing as coughing up a hairball. If your cat is vomiting frequently, its time to make an appointment at the vets office. And if your cat is gagging and retching but not producing anything, she could be choking on somethingthe hairball itself, or some other foreign object that she attempted to swallow. Rush Fluffy to the vets office for treatment.
Hairball Symptoms To Never Ignore In Cats
by Dr Sara Ochoa DVM, May 20, 21
Has your cat just vomited a hairball? Many cats are great at hiding that they are sick until it can sometimes be too late. Having hairballs can cause your cat to get very sick. Balls of hair can get stuck in your cat’s intestinal tract causing them to be very sick. These are 7 signs of hairballs seen in cats that you should never ignore. If you notice that your cat is showing any of these signs they may need to see your vet.
Don’t Miss: Is Blue Buffalo Good Cat Food
Whats The Best Way To Treat Hairballs
If your cat passes a hairball and seems to be doing well otherwise, no treatment is really needed. In this situation, the best treatment is taking the steps above to prevent hairballs from happening again.
However, if your cat is having more regular hairballs, its best to consult your cats vet for a personalized treatment plan.
Further reading
Is It Normal For Cats To Vomit Hairballs
Hairballs in cats are a naturalalbeit not funway for a cat to rid herself of hair that gets stuck in her stomach and are normal on occasion. But if they occur frequently or if you see or hear your cat retching, vomiting, or coughing without the eventual appearance of a hairball, you should talk to your veterinarian.
Read Also: Is Blue Buffalo Good Cat Food
How Often Do Cats Have Hairballs
Some cat owners think that their pet brings up a hairball every day, but this isnt true. Cats should only get hairballs occasionally, usually less than once a month. Most hairs swallowed from grooming will pass through the digestive system and out into the litter box without a problem.
However, if your cat has hairballs frequently, its worth taking them to see a vet. Numerous cat hairballs could be a symptom of a problem in the gastrointestinal tract in this case, it is best to check this out as soon as possible.
Numerous hairballs in cats can also be a symptom that your cat is over-grooming. Cats tend to over-groom when they are stressed a bit like us biting our fingernails and thus will consume more hair, leading to more hairballs. If you think your cat may be stressed, take them to the vet.
Oral Remedy For Cat Hairballs
Petroleum jelly hairball remedies like Laxatone help to lubricate the hair so it moves through the cats gastrointestinal tract more easily. Some cat owners prefer to use non-petroleum hairball remedies, which work the same as petroleum-based products but are made with different kinds of lubricants.
Read More: Best Cat Hairball Remedies
Also Check: Is Blue Buffalo Good Cat Food
Are Cat Hairballs Normal
Many cat owners find it very difficult and distressing to hear their cats gagging and retching, and they start to wonder if there is anything they should be worrying about. This self-grooming is completely normal and cats should be doing it to keep their fur in good condition.
Most individual hairs will pass through the cats digestive system as normal, but sometimes they can form clumps which begin to accumulate in the stomach. Cats try and vomit them up to prevent them going into the intestine and causing a blockage. Dont be worried if you see your cat stretch their neck, dry retch and expel a hairball before calmly walking away. It can be distressing to watch this, but dont worry its normal.
Confusing Hairballs And Vomit
Many owners confuse hairballs and other kinds of vomit, and its easy to see why. When they vomit, cats get into a recognizable crouch position , and make expulsive sounds. And, lets face it, its an experience youre not likely to forget as a cat owner.
However cats do this when they vomit for any reason, and if they have been grooming themselves there is almost always some hair mixed in with the vomit. But just because there is hair in vomit, it doesnt mean its a hairball.
How can I tell the difference between a hairball and other kinds of vomit?
The primary way you can tell the difference between vomit and hairballs is the ratio of hair to other material. A hairball will be a cigar-shaped tube of densely packed hair with some digestive fluid around it. Conversely, vomit will be primarily fluids, bile, undigested food, and/or other materials with some hair mixed in.
Also Check: Blue Wilderness Adult Cat Food
How Can You Manage & Prevent Hairballs
There are three ways you can help minimize hairballs in your cat. First, you should groom your cat to reduce shedding. Regular brushing sessions will keep your cat from ingesting loose hair through self-grooming. Your brushing won’t keep your cat from self-grooming, but will reduce the amount of hair she ingests. Grooming sessions with you also have the added benefit of being a bonding activity with your furry friend!
Second, there are products on the market such as shampoo and wet wipes that claim to prevent hairballs by controlling shedding. As with any product, however, check with your vet before you begin a regular regime to make sure it’s well-suited for your kitty.
Lastbut certainly not least!know that food choice is very important in reducing hairballs. A hairball control cat food includes added natural fiber amongst its balanced nutrition to help move hair naturally through your cat’s digestive system while also nourishing your cat’s skin and coat to reduce shedding. Hill’s® Science Diet® includes the following choices for cats with hairball issues:
Are Hairballs Dangerous For Cats
While its normal for cats to bring up the occasional hairball, its abnormal for them to produce one every few weeks or consistently for more than 48 hours at a time. If your cat produces frequent hairballs, it could be the sign of:
- Parasites
- Overgrooming because of stress or pain
- Digestive tract diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease or intestinal lymphoma
As described by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, a wad of matted hair poses a serious health threat if it grows too large. If the hairball remains trapped in the cats intestines or stomach for a long period of time, it may mineralize and become hard. This will be painful for the cat.
If the hairball is small enough to pass into the small intestine but too large for it to come out through the feces, its likely to become tightly lodged, causing a serious problem. While rare, only surgery can rectify this.
Similarly, if the hairball becomes too hard, theres an increased risk of it getting stuck while the cat vomits it, causing damage to the esophagus. Signs that a hairballs causing your cat a problem include:
- Prolonged gagging
- Chewing on grass
- A swollen stomach
To be on the safe side, take your cat to a vet to make sure its not suffering from a potentially harmful blockage or underlying health condition.
Don’t Miss: Is Blue Buffalo Good Cat Food
Tips To Prevent Hairballs
The dangers of hairballs and general unpleasantness makes avoiding them very appealing. Thankfully, it can be done with the help of a few useful tips.
One of the best ways to reduce the number of hairballs your cat coughs up is by regularly brushing their fur! Brushing your cats fur will collect all the loose fur that your cat would normally end up swallowing and remove it from their body.
A misconception you might hear is that long-haired cats are the only ones that need regular brushing however, thats not the case. All breeds of cats need brushing to ensure that they dont swallow too much fur.
The Furminator is an example of a brand of cat brush that is popular and extremely effective in removing cat fur. If your cat is wary of your brush, go slowly and let them sniff and inspect the brush.
Some cats may not enjoy brushing their fur but giving them pets and treats should help the process.
This may not be the easiest tip, but if you can get your cat to not excessively groom themselves, it can avoid a lot of hairballs. If you notice that your cat is grooming themselves a lot, break up the groom session by playing with them or giving them some type of distraction.
It can be a little difficult to try to break their attention when they are intensely grooming themselves, but give it a try!
Treatment Of Feline Respiratory Infections
Quick recognition of symptoms and prompt examination by a vet will help the treatment to be initiated as soon as possible. Treatment would normally include antibiotics and anti-inflammatories and, depending on the severity of your cats signs, your cat might need to be admitted by the veterinarian for monitoring or further tests.
Read Also: Are Arrowhead Plants Toxic To Cats
When Should You Be Concerned
1. Your Cat Is Coughing With No Hairball
If your cat is coughing but no hairball is produced, it is important to pay attention to other symptoms your cat is showing.
Infrequent, but regular coughing can be a sign of asthma. Your cat may crouch low to the ground with their neck extended upwardsa position that helps your cat get as much air as possible between coughs. Untreated asthma can be life-threatening.
If no hairball is produced, pay attention to if your cat is showing any other signs mentioned on this list.
2. Your Cat Keeps Coughing
If your cats cough is persistent, continues for more than a few days, or begins to worsen, take them to the vet. A cough that persists may be an indication of a respiratory infection or asthma.
3. Your Cat Has A Productive Cough
If your cat has a wet cough, the coughing will produce phlegm or sputum4. This type of cough will sound moist, and can be indicative of a lower respiratory problem.
4. Your Cats Cough Is Accompanied By Wheezing
A wheezing noise between coughs could indicate that your cat cant get enough oxygen to their lungs. Wheezing is produced in the lower airways and occurs when air passageways constrict, and/or when inflammation causes swelling. This could be an indicator of feline asthma.
5. Your Cat Is Coughing And Sneezing
If your cat is sneezing in addition to coughing, it may be a sign of a viral or respiratory infection.5
6. Your Cat Is Losing Weight
7. Your Cats Cough Keeps Coming Back