If you have ever seen your cat gagging and eventually cough up a hairball, then you know the situation. You know they are no fun to clean up, and worse, they can cause health problems for your cat. What you might not know is what causes hairballs, what symptoms to look for and what you can do to prevent them.

What is a Hairball in Cats?

You already know that your cat spends hours every day grooming himself. What you might not realize is that your cat swallows a lot of hair in the process - though it does make sense when you think about it.

“When your cat grooms himself, tiny hook-like structures on his tongue catch loose and dead hair, which is then swallowed. The majority of this hair passes all the way through the digestive tract with no problems. But if some hair stays in the stomach, it can form a hairball. Usually, your cat will vomit the hairball to get rid of it." (Source)

If this is an occasional occurrence, it is not anything to worry about. However, the risk of larger clumps is that they will block your cat's intestines and require surgery.

You will also want to know that despite their name, they are rarely in a "ball" shape -- at least not when they are in the middle of your floor. According to Cornell Feline Health Center "Despite the term, disgorged hairballs are not usually round. They are often slender and cylindrical, shaped more like a cigar or sausage than a ball. According to Richard Goldstein, DVM, an associate professor of small animal medicine at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, a spit-up hairball’s elongated shape is imparted by the narrow food tube (esophagus) in which it develops or through which it passes on its journey from the cat’s stomach to the outside world. However, he notes, a hairball that is not disgorged and remains in the stomach will indeed be round — 'like a sponge or a rolled-up sock,' he says."

Do All Cats Develop Hairballs?

As you can guess, long-haired breeds like Persians have the greatest tendency toward hairballs, though any cats can develop them because every cat sheds. The risk is that the hairball can create an internal blockage and require emergency surgery. Far better to practice preventive maintenance such as regular grooming than to risk your cat's health!

It also turns out there are other symptoms than the semi-routine retching you may have encountered. Any of these are definitely reasons to make an appointment with your veterinarian to discover the source of the problem.

Symptoms of Hairballs in Cats

The most visible hairball symptom you have probably noticed is the retching and gagging that usually precedes the actual vomiting of the hairball. In addition to retching/gagging, your cat may exhibit:

• Lack of appetite
• Litter box troubles such as constipation or diarrhea 
• Lethargy

After all, if the hair accumulates and causes an internal blockage, you can imagine how uncomfortable that could be. Any time your kitty stops eating or shows the above changes in litter box habits, contact your veterinarian because such such behavior changes can be early warning indicators of a range of health concerns -- including hairballs.

Treatment and Prevention of Hairballs

Self-grooming and shedding are normal in all cats, which means that hairballs are not completely avoidable. However, you can take some steps to reduce them:

Commit to regular brushing. "Less loose hair means fewer hairballs. He might even grow to find this good bonding time with you. Occasional trips to the groomer (especially for long-haired cats) is another option." A groomer has special tools to remove loose hair, plus, she'll know those extra tips and tricks to reduce the potential of hairballs. Another option is a diet change; just be sure to check with us before you switch your cat's food. "Some varieties of cat food contain ingredients that focus on improving skin and coat health to help reduce shedding and often add fiber to stimulate cleansing of the bowels." Pay attention to your cat's water intake. "More water won’t cure hairballs, but it’s essential to keeping your cat’s digestive tract running in top shape, so make sure he’s getting enough." Finally, encourage play as another way for him to spend his time. "New toys can help distract him from excessive grooming—and get him more stimulation and exercise. Exercise aids his general health, which may help his system work a little smoother, too." (Source)

There are also a variety of hairball lubricants on the market that can help prevent these entanglements. Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation.

Now that you know how you can protect your cat from hairballs, you can snuggle your cat a little closer and know that hairballs do not need to become a serious health issue for you and your cat.