Treating Hairballs in Cats

Medically Reviewed by Amy Flowers, DVM on June 11, 2024
Written by Hilary Parker, Allison Torres Burtka
7 min read

Hairballs form when cats groom themselves. Hair gets stuck on your cat’s tongue, and small barbs on their tongue push it down the throat and into the stomach. Your cat can’t digest the hair, but usually, most of it passes through the digestive tract. When it doesn’t pass through, it forms a clump of hair and your cat throws it up.

Hairballs in cats are normal but also unpleasant. Not only are they disagreeable for the person who has to clean them up, but they can also cause gastrointestinal blockages, which can be a serious health problem for your cat. It’s normal for cats to groom themselves, so what can you do to keep hairballs to a minimum?

Hairballs may be disgusting, but they develop as a result of your cat’s healthy and dedicated grooming routine.

When your cat grooms themselves, tiny hook-like structures on their tongue catch loose and dead hair, which is then swallowed. The majority of this hair passes all the way through the digestive tract without any problem. 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. Because hairballs pass through the narrow esophagus on the way out, they often appear thin and tube-like, rather than round.

Hairballs in cats are more likely to appear in longhaired breeds, such as Persians and Maine Coons. Cats that shed a lot or groom themselves compulsively are also more likely to have hairballs because they tend to swallow a lot of fur. You may have noticed that your cat didn’t have hairballs as a kitten but developed them as they grew. This is quite normal. As cats get older, they become more adept groomers and more proficient at removing fur from their coats with their tongues, which means more hairballs for you to clean up.

While rare, hairballs can present dangers if the clump of fur in your cat’s stomach becomes too large to pass or gets lodged in their digestive tract.

It can be disturbing to watch (and hear) your cat vomiting a hairball. Some common hairball symptoms include:

  • Hacking or coughing
  • Gagging
  • Retching

Usually, your cat will then vomit the hairball soon afterward.

Do cats make noises when they have a hairball?

You may hear your cat cough and then gag or retch as they throw up the hairball. Sometimes, cats cry or howl before vomiting.

 

Nothing can be done to totally prevent hairballs in cats, but there are things you can do to reduce the likelihood of your cat having hairballs or reduce their frequency.

Groom your cat regularly. The more fur you remove from your cat, the less fur will end up as hairballs in their stomach. Combing or brushing your cat daily can be an effective way to minimize hairballs, and it can also provide a fun way for you to bond with your cat. If you can’t get your cat accustomed to brushing, think about taking them to a professional groomer for grooming and haircut (especially for longhaired cats) every 6 months or so.

Try cat food formulated for hairballs. If your cat brings up hairballs regularly, consider switching to a food specifically formulated to help reduce the issue. Many cat food brands have a product to deal with hairballs. The formulas typically include things such as increased fiber, oil, minerals, and vitamins that can help the swallowed hair pass through the digestive system naturally.

Add more fiber. Just like humans, cats need fiber to maintain a healthy digestive tract. However, their nutrition needs are different from humans and other omnivores, as they typically don’t need plant fiber. Even so, adding some extra fiber to your cat’s diet can help lower the risk of hairballs. That's because fiber helps things move smoothly through their digestive system. Some forms of fiber to add include:

  • Pumpkin (or pumpkin powder)
  • Apples
  • Carrots
  • Cat grass
  • Metamucil (fiber pill or powder)

Keep in mind that a cat’s fiber needs are much different from those of a human. You don’t want to add too much to their diet, or else your cat may experience some unpleasant side effects. Too much fiber in a cat's diet may block them from absorbing nutrients well. If you're already feeding your cat a hairball formula food, giving them more fiber may be a bad idea. If you’re unsure of how much fiber to add, talk to your cat’s vet.

Use a hairball product or laxative. There are several hairball products on the market today, most of which are mild laxatives that help hairballs pass through the digestive tract.

Be sure to use any over-the-counter products as directed. If you use a laxative, check with your veterinarian first. If your cat has any other health conditions, a laxative could be the wrong thing to give them. Also, a laxative may be the wrong type for your cat.

Discourage excessive grooming. Excessive grooming can be due to pain, anxiety, or other causes. Check with your vet if your cat is overgrooming.

Use baby wipes. After brushing your cat, wipe them with a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic baby wipe. Alternatively, you can use a damp paper towel. A moist cloth helps remove any remaining loose fur, which helps reduce the amount that ends up in your cat’s stomach, lowering the risk of hairballs.

Increase water intake. If your cat eats dry food, their diet likely isn’t providing enough water to meet their hydration needs. As such, their digestive system may not be able to function as well as it should.

Offer your cat a clean, fresh water source. Many felines prefer running water to still, and they may not like the smell or taste of tap water. You might consider getting your cat a water fountain to get them to drink more. Canned food may also provide enough hydration to help keep the digestive system moving properly, reducing the risk of hairballs. 

Lubricate the digestive tract. Including oil in your cat’s diet can help lubricate the digestive tract, making it easier for hair to pass through naturally. One option is to provide your cat with a small amount of canned tuna or sardines occasionally.

You can also put a small amount of petroleum jelly on the top of your cat’s paw. They’ll lick it off, and the jelly will line the digestive tract to help the hair pass through their system. There are also petroleum-based remedies available that you can periodically feed your cat.

If your cat has a hairball that gets lodged in their digestive tract and creates a blockage, it can cause problems such as:

  • Constipation
  • Vomiting
  • Decreased appetite
  • Fever
  • Lethargy

These complications can be dangerous for cats.

Also, it’s rare, but a hairball may get stuck in your cat’s esophagus and require removal. Gastrointestinal blockages caused by hairballs can be fatal.

While you might not need to worry about the occasional hairball, there are some instances in which you should see your vet. It’s rare, but hairballs can grow so large that your cat can’t pass them, or they can get lodged in the digestive tract, creating a blockage. If the hairball is too large, surgery may be required to remove it.

You should see your vet right away if your cat:

  • Tries to vomit but can’t get anything out, or vomits up phlegm or bile
  • Can't keep food or water down
  • Is coughing frequently
  • Is having trouble defecating (pooping)
  • Has diarrhea
  • Has a bloated, hard abdomen
  • Becomes lethargic (tired)
  • Loses their appetite or won’t drink

Occasional hairballs are normal for cats. But if your cat is coughing up hairballs frequently, it might be time to see your vet. If a hairball gets lodged in your cat’s digestive tract and causes a blockage, it can be a serious problem. If your cat tends to get hairballs often, there are some ways you can prevent hairballs, including brushing your cat more often.

How can I help my cat with hairballs?

Brushing your cat can help reduce the likelihood of them getting hairballs. If your cat gets hairballs often, you can consider feeding them hairball formula food. But ask your vet for guidance in choosing one of these foods.

Can cats poop out hairballs?

Cats often pass hair through their digestive tract, so their poop contains some hair. If the hair has accumulated into a hairball, it’s possible for your cat to poop it out, but it may require your vet to treat your cat. However, don’t give your cat a laxative without your vet’s recommendation.

Can you dissolve hairballs in cats?

Not exactly. If your cat has a hairball, you can’t give them anything that will dissolve the hairball. But giving your cat hairball products or adding any of the lubricants previously mentioned to their diet can help the hair pass through the digestive tract.

At what age do cats get hairballs?

Kittens and young cats are less likely to get hairballs than older cats, as they spend less time grooming themselves. Hairballs are a common problem in older cats, partly because their digestive systems may be slower.