If you've ever stepped on a damp little surprise or heard your cat coughing up a hairball, you already know that hairballs in cats are a normal part of life. Most of the time, a cat hairball is nothing more than an unpleasant clean-up job. Occasionally, however, hairballs can point to something more serious.
Some cat owners may not know why hairballs happen or which warning signs mean it’s time to call the vet. Knowing how to help a cat with hairballs at home is a useful part of cat care.
What causes hairballs in cats?
Cats spend a large part of their day grooming, using their barbed tongues to work through their coats and remove loose or dead fur. Most swallowed fur passes through the digestive system. Sometimes, however, it collects in the stomach and forms a damp, cylindrical mass.
Eventually, your cat brings it back up as a wet, cylindrical clump. It's reassuring to know that this is a normal, if slightly unpleasant, side effect of being such a thorough self-groomer. Hairballs are more common in:
- Long-haired breeds, due to the sheer volume of fur they swallow during grooming
- Heavy shedders, particularly during seasonal coat changes in spring and autumn
- Cats that groom excessively due to stress, skin irritation, parasites or allergies
- Older cats with slower digestion or gut issues
An occasional feline hairball every couple of weeks is usually nothing to worry about.
Keep a quick note of when hairballs occur and take a photo if anything looks unusual. This can help your vet spot patterns and work out whether further investigation is needed.
Cat hairball remedy options
The occasional hairball is normal, but if your cat coughs them up frequently, there are several ways to help:
- Brush your cat regularly: Removing loose fur before it is swallowed is one of the most effective forms of hairball treatment for cats, and it only takes a few minutes a day.
- Consider a hairball-specific diet: These diets contain extra fibre to support digestion and help fur pass through naturally.
- Try hairball remedy pastes or treats: These products can help swallowed fur move through the digestive tract more easily.
- Increase their water intake: Good hydration supports healthy digestion, while a cat water fountain may encourage reluctant drinkers.
- Reduce stress where possible: Anxiety or environmental changes can contribute to over-grooming and more frequent hairballs.
Most of these are simple additions to your existing routine. If you're not sure which cat hairball treatment suits your cat best, your local Petstock team can help match the right product to their coat type, age, and needs.
Cat hairball obstruction symptoms
While most hairballs pass through naturally, large or frequent hairballs can build up in the digestive tract, leading to blockages.
Signs to look out for include:
- Repeated unproductive retching or gagging without bringing anything up
- Loss of appetite or refusing food altogether
- Lethargy or noticeable changes in behaviour, such as hiding or seeming withdrawn
- Constipation or diarrhoea
- A visibly swollen or tender abdomen
- Vomiting that continues for more than a day or occurs repeatedly within a short period
If your cat shows any of these signs, contact your vet.
When to see a vet
If your cat is coughing up hairballs more than once a week, it may be a sign that something more serious is going on. Similarly, if they’re struggling to pass them or you have noticed changes in their appetite, energy or toileting, it may be worth booking them in to see a vet.
Your vet can give you expert advice on the causes and treatments, or any long-term management plans for your cat if needed.
Want to help cut down on hairballs at home? Shop cat hairball treatment at Petstock today.