Hairballs, We Have The Best Solution

What is a Cat hairball?

Cats groom themselves by licking their fur. In doing so, the papillae on their tongue (backwards barbs that make their tongue rough to the touch, and which make their tongue an excellent exfoliator and grooming tool) catch loose and dead hairs, some of which they swallow. Most of these hairs will pass through the digestive tract and end up in their faeces. However, some of these hairs remain in their system. These will be expelled in the form of a hairball.
A hairball is a collection of dead hair and digestive juices that have formed in your Cat’s stomach. Contrary to popular belief, hairballs are usually cylindrical in shape, not round. They are vomited by your cat as a way of getting rid of unwanted substances.

Don’t be worried if you see your cat stretch their neck, dry retch (their mouth opening wide) and expel a hairball before calmly walking away. It can be distressing to watch this, but don’t worry – it’s normal.
 

How common are Cat hairballs?

Cat hairballs are part of cats’ instinctive grooming regime and are usually nothing to worry about. Kittens and younger cats usually have fewer hairballs because they are not as fastidious in terms of grooming. Older cats, on the other hand, may have grown fussier and may produce hairballs more often.

However, if your cat has hairballs frequently, it’s worth taking them to see a vet. Numerous 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.
Regular hairballs in cats could also be a symptom that your cat is over-grooming. Cats tend to over-groom when they are stressed. If you think your cat may be stressed, take them to the vet.
 

When can Cat hairballs become dangerous?

Hairballs are usually harmless. However, if your cat is wandering around the house and repeatedly retching with no sign of a hairball (and especially if the’ve lost energy and are unwilling to eat), 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. Additional signs include diarrhoea and constipation.

There are many ways in which a vet may diagnose cat hairballs. This may be an x-ray or a physical examination. In extreme cases, surgery may be needed to remove the hairball if it has grown particularly large; this can be expensive in terms of vet bills.

Constant retching (with no sign of a hairball) and lethargy can also be signs of asthma. The vet should be able to discern the underlying cause; either way, you will have identified a health issue in your cat and will have solved it before it gets worse.
 

Can I help my Cat prevent hairballs forming?

Brush your cat. Regular brushing can help get rid of the dead and loose hair on their coat. Regular and routine brushing can mean that there is less loose hair for them to swallow when they groom themselves in private. Less consumed hair means fewer hairballs. If your cat is fussy about being brushed but you, take them to a professional groomer.

Schedule regular haircuts for your cat. Keeping your cat’s coat regularly trimmed means that the hair your cat consumes is less likely to become tangled in a hairball and has a greater chance of passing through her system without incident.

Give your cat hairball-specific food. There is now specific cat food for hairballs, such as Purina One Coat and Hairball. Such food is high in fibre, which helps stop hairballs from forming in the stomach. The balance of nutrients in the food also helps support your cat’s coat, reducing shedding and helping it to remain sleek and glossy.
 

Purina One Coat & Hairbal

Purina One Coat and Hairball cat food with Bifensis has been specifically formulated to help your cat effectively maintain healthy skin and a beautiful coat, whilst simultaneously helping to reduce the formation of hairballs. It has been carefully formulated to meet your cat’s needs and support them with complete and balanced nutrition.
Purina One Coat and Hairball cat food provide appropriate levels of key nutrients, including high-quality protein, vitamins and essential fatty acids. It also helps minimise the formation of hairballs due to its high fibre content and a special combination of fibres including cellulose.

Thanks to the use of high-quality ingredients, this dry cat food is highly digestible. A balance of minerals also helps promote a healthy urinary tract, while high-quality protein and key nutrient levels help limit excessive shedding.