Health

Cats

Hairballs

Cats swallow loose fur when they groom, and sometimes bring it back up as a hairball. Bringing up a hairball once every week or two can be normal, especially in long-haired cats. Frequent hacking, repeated vomiting or not eating are not normal and can mean a blockage or another illness such as asthma.

What you might notice

• Hacking or gagging, then bringing up a sausage-shaped clump of fur.
• Occasional vomiting with fur in it.
• More hairballs during seasonal moulting.

Common causes

• Normal self-grooming, especially in long-haired breeds.
• Heavy shedding in spring and autumn.
• Over-grooming due to itchy skin, stress or pain.

What you can do at home

• Brush or comb your cat daily, especially long-haired cats.
• Keep fresh water available.
• Keep feeding normally; never withhold food from a cat.

Book a vet in the next day or two if

• Hairballs more often than every week or two.
• Frequent hacking or coughing without a hairball, which can be asthma.
• Over-grooming or bald patches.

Don't

• Do not give laxatives or oils without vet advice.
• Do not assume all coughing in cats is hairballs.
• Do not withhold food from a cat that vomits.

Prevention

• Groom regularly to remove loose fur.
• Treat itchy skin and fleas so your cat does not over-groom.
• Ask your vet before using any hairball remedy or special diet.

This guide gives general information about common health problems in dogs and cats. It is not a diagnosis and it does not replace an examination by a veterinarian. Every animal is different, and signs that look mild can sometimes hide a serious problem, especially in cats, which often hide illness and pain. If you are worried about your pet, or if your pet shows any of the warning signs listed here, contact your vet or the nearest emergency veterinary clinic straight away. Never give your pet human medicines or any medicine not prescribed for that animal by a vet.