Almost all cat owners have seen a hairball or heard the disturbing sound of their cat trying to cough one up. Hairballs are easy to recognise as they take the distinctive form of cylindrical (tube shaped) masses of hair. Sometimes a hairball will be accompanied by bile or food particles. Hairballs form in your cat's stomach from hair that they've swallowed, while grooming. Cats are unable to spit the hair out because their tongues are covered with hundreds of small backward pointing barbs. These barbs don't allow hair to move forward out of your cat's mouth. Another reason why they occur is because cats are unable to excrete hair.
Build-up
Usually swallowing hair isn't a problem for cats, but sometimes the hair will build up in the stomach and form a hairball. Long haired breeds are particularly susceptible to them. If your cat gets the occasional hairball you needn't worry. However if they are getting them regularly or seems to be having serious problems with one, you should talk to your vet.
Problems
Hairballs can cause problems if they harden in the stomach and the cat is unable to pass it. Signs that your cat may be having trouble with a hairball include:
Tasty Tips
- constipation
- hard stool with signs of hair
- coughing or heaving particularly after eating
- lack of interest in food
Prevention
The best thing you can do to stop hairballs forming is to groom your cat regularly. With longhaired breeds this is a must. Brushing your cat will remove dead hair from the coat making it much less likely for your cat to swallow loose hair.
Most cats love being brushed, so this is an excellent opportunity to bond with your cat. Be extra diligent with brushing in the springtime when your cat is shedding their winter coat.
There are also some methods you can use to supplement brushing. For example, there are a variety of hairball control foods or supplements that can help.
These work by making it easier for your cat to simply pass hair through their body as part of digestion. Talk to your vet and they will be able to recommend the best solution for you.
Related products
Perfect Digestion Adult Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Perfect Digestion Cat Food with Chicken & Brown Rice nourishes your cat's unique microbiome and helps them reach their full potential.
Sensitive Stomach & Skin Adult Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Cat Premium Chunks in Sauce with Turkey is a complete pet food for adult cats aged 1-6 years
Hairball & Perfect Coat Adult Dry Cat Food with Chicken
Hill's Science Plan Hairball & Perfect Coat Adult Cat Food with Chicken is formulated to effectively help avoid hairball formation in adult cats while promoting a beautiful coat. Thanks to its mix of essential omega-6 fatty acids, this food benefits the cat's skin and fur, keeping them healthy and shiny. Our Advanced Fibre Technology helps reduce hairballs by naturally promoting their passage through the gut. This food is formulated with high-quality protein for a perfectly balanced, great-tasting recipe.
Sterilised Adult Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Adult Sterilised Cat Dry Food with Salmon is specially formulated with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology. It is a precisely balanced nutrition, tailored to meet the needs of sterilised cats, to help keep them lean & healthy.
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Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavourful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavourful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.