What do hairballs in cats look like

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. 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.

If this is an occasional occurrence, it's not anything to worry about. However, the risk of larger clumps is that they'll block your cat's intestines and require surgery. You'll also want to know that despite their name, they're rarely in a "ball" shape -- at least not when they're 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. 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.

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! 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. There is no way to completely stop hairballs forming, but there are a few things you can do to help. Proper cat grooming 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 by you, take them to a professional groomer. Feeding your cat the right balance of nutrients is important in addressing hairball problems. Such food is high in fibre, which helps stop hairballs from forming in the stomach. This and more interesting facts about our dear felines await to be discovered in our fun facts about cats article. We believe people and pets are 'Better Together'.

Our programme promises to support you through every stage of your journey. Suggested products. Next article. Cat urinary tract problems. Cat Digestion. Sponsored by Purina One. Related topics. Our experts are here to help you. Our experts are here to help. Get in touch with us directly any time, any way. Message us. Discover the Purina One range. Buy Now. All that cleaning and removing fur you see your cat constantly do, leads to them swallowing a lot of hair, which can collect into balls in their stomachs.

Here is what cat hairballs are and how you can help a cat with hairballs. Even longtime pet parents of the most fastidious felines might be surprised to learn that a cat spends 30 percent of her waking hours grooming herself, Lund says.

Under normal circumstances, the grooming obsession that causes cats to ingest hair should not be a problem. The hair should move through the digestive system along with food and be eliminated in feces.

A number of treatable health issues can cause motility problems. Some illnesses that can slow down digestion include hyperthyroidism and inflammatory bowel disease, Marrinan says. Other underlying gastrointestinal issues that can make your cat prone to hairballs include gastroenteritis, intestinal cancers and valve problems.

An occasional hairball may not be anything serious—cats can vomit up hair and food if they eat too fast or develop a sensitivity to their regular food, Marrinan says. Due to the seriousness of some of the potential causes of hairballs, however, Marrinan and Lund suggest pet parents take their cat to the vet if she starts producing hairballs.

The only way to determine if a simple change in diet is enough to resolve the issue or a more serious health problem is present, is to have your regular vet examine your cat, both doctors stress.

Treatment requires identifying and addressing the underlying cause, whether it is an inflammatory bowel disease, cancer or dietary issue. Some breeds, such as Maine Coon and Rag Doll, are susceptible to intestinal valve problems, which can contribute to the development of hairballs, Lund says. The occasional hairball can be prevented by feeding your cat a flavored petroleum-jelly-based remedy that will help move hair through the digestive system. The most important thing to keep in mind is that vomiting up hairballs is not normal or healthy in cats, both doctors stress.

Take her to the vet for an accurate diagnosis and precise treatment.