Do you often find furry, slimy tubes littering your house? As a cat owner, you may encounter these hairballs regularly, but should you be worried about how often your cat spits them up? Let’s take a closer look at how hairballs are formed, how they’re eliminated, and how many are considered normal for your cat.
How are hairballs formed?
As cats groom themselves, the tiny hooks on their tongues trap dead or loose fur that they ingest. Whether your cat is long- or short-haired, they will still ingest enough fur to create hairballs. Most of the hair passes easily through the gastrointestinal tract, but some can become clumped in the stomach and, in rare cases, become too bulky to be passed. These uncommon instances require surgical removal.
How does my cat get rid of their hairballs?
In most cases, your cat will vomit up the hairball, which will pass from their stomach to the esophagus and then flatten out into a thin tube, rather than an actual ball, as it goes through the esophagus. So, no, cats do not cough up hairballs—they vomit them.
How many hairballs should my cat normally produce?
The general consensus is that cats should produce no more than one hairball per week, no matter their coat length. So, if your cat is vomiting hairballs more frequently, retching without any production, or not eating, schedule an appointment with our veterinarian.
How can I reduce hairball development in my cat?
If you’re not a fan of cleaning up slimy fur clumps, you can take steps to reduce the number of hairballs your cat produces. Try the following methods:
- Brushing your cat daily
- Switching to a hairball-control diet
- Using Laxatone, an oral gel that binds hair in the stomach and allows easier passage
If you’re concerned that your feline friend is vomiting too many hairballs too often, not eating, or vomiting in general, medical attention may be necessary. Find your nearest Bark Avenue Hospital location and schedule an appointment with our team.