Hairballs are familiar to many cat owners, but not every episode of vomiting is “just a hairball”. Cats naturally swallow loose hair while grooming, and most of it passes through the digestive system. Occasionally, some hair is vomited back up instead.
The important distinction is between an occasional hairball in an otherwise well cat and repeated vomiting, weight loss or other changes.
How do hairballs form?
When cats groom, the small barbs on the tongue collect loose hair. Most swallowed hair moves through the gut and passes in the stool. Some gathers in the stomach and may be brought up as a damp, tube-shaped clump.
Blue Cross notes that occasional hairballs are normal, but more frequent vomiting deserves veterinary advice.
Which cats are more prone to hairballs?
- long-haired cats;
- cats that groom heavily;
- cats shedding more at certain times of year;
- cats with itchy skin or fleas;
- cats that overgroom because of stress or pain;
- cats with digestive problems that affect normal gut movement.
Grooming is the simplest first step
Regular brushing removes loose hair before your cat swallows it. Long-haired cats may benefit from daily grooming, while short-haired cats may need less frequent brushing.
Keep sessions calm and stop if your cat becomes stressed. Mats and tangles can pull on the skin and may need professional grooming if they cannot be removed safely.
Do hairball pastes work?
Products marketed for hairballs often contain lubricating ingredients or added fibre. Evidence varies and they should not be used as a way to ignore frequent vomiting. Blue Cross notes that scientific evidence for many commercial hairball-removal products is limited.
Diet and fibre
Some specialist diets use fibre to help move swallowed hair through the digestive tract. If your cat has recurrent hairballs, constipation, diarrhoea or another digestive issue, ask your vet whether a diet change is appropriate.
Our Cat Digestive Health collection contains complementary digestive products, but these are not substitutes for investigation if symptoms are persistent.
Could itching be causing more hair ingestion?
Yes. Fleas, allergies and skin disease can lead to excessive grooming, which means more hair is swallowed. Check the skin and coat for signs of irritation and keep parasite prevention up to date.
Our Cat Skin & Coat collection is useful for browsing current grooming and coat-support products.
Hairball or coughing?
Coughing can sometimes be mistaken for retching. A cat crouching low and repeatedly coughing without producing a hairball may have a respiratory problem and should be assessed by a vet, especially if breathing seems difficult.
When should you call the vet?
Contact your vet if hairballs are becoming frequent, vomiting is repeated, your cat stops eating, loses weight, seems lethargic, has diarrhoea or constipation, or cannot keep food or water down.
Cats Protection advises that frequent or severe vomiting requires veterinary attention, particularly when accompanied by other symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often are hairballs normal?
Occasional hairballs can be normal, but a noticeable increase in frequency or repeated vomiting should be discussed with your vet.
Do long-haired cats get more hairballs?
They can, because they swallow more hair during grooming. Regular brushing is especially useful for long-haired cats.
Can stress cause hairballs?
Stress can contribute to overgrooming in some cats, which may increase swallowed hair.
Should I give oil or butter for hairballs?
Do not improvise home remedies. Some foods can cause digestive upset and repeated hairballs need the underlying cause considered.
Can hairballs cause a blockage?
Rarely, accumulated hair can contribute to obstruction. Persistent vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation or loss of appetite needs urgent veterinary advice.
Related guides
This guide is general cat-care information and does not replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment.