How to help a cat with hairballs

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Cats swallow loose hair while grooming. Most of it passes through the gut, but some clumps in the stomach and comes back up as a hairball. An occasional hairball is normal, especially in long-haired cats. Frequent hairballs (more than once or twice a month) are not normal and often point to over-grooming, a gut problem or a skin problem.

What a hairball looks like

A hairball is usually a damp, sausage-shaped clump of fur, often brought up after a few retching or hacking sounds. It's usually long and thin rather than round, because it's shaped by the esophagus on the way up. It may come up with a little clear fluid or food.

Why some cats get more hairballs

• Long coats. Persians, Maine Coons, Ragdolls and other long-haired breeds swallow more hair.
• Shedding seasons. Hairballs often increase in spring and fall.
• Over-grooming. Itchy skin from fleas or allergies, pain or stress can make a cat groom far more than usual.
• Slow gut movement. Some cats, especially older ones or those with bowel problems, don't move hair through the gut as easily.

How to reduce hairballs

Brush your cat regularly. This is the single most effective thing you can do. Every hair in the brush is a hair your cat doesn't swallow.

• Short-haired cats: 2 to 3 times a week
• Long-haired cats: daily, with a wide-toothed comb for tangles
• Brush more often during spring and fall shedding

Short, gentle sessions with a treat at the end work better than one long battle. A rubber grooming mitt is a good start for cats that dislike brushes, and a wide-toothed comb helps with long coats.

Try a hairball-control food. These contain extra fiber that helps hair move through the gut. Switch gradually over 7 to 10 days to avoid an upset stomach.

Increase water intake. Wet food, a water fountain and several water bowls around the home all help keep things moving.

Hairball gels or pastes. Lubricant gels (often malt-flavored) can help hair pass. Use them as the label directs, and not as a substitute for brushing. Don't give them at the same time as medicines, as they can reduce absorption.

Keep your cat busy. Boredom and stress can lead to over-grooming. Daily play sessions, climbing spaces and window perches help.

Things not to do

• Don't give butter, cooking oil or mineral oil by mouth. Oils can be inhaled into the lungs and cause pneumonia.
• Don't give human laxatives.
• Don't shave a long-haired cat at home to stop hairballs. Cat skin is thin and cuts easily. A groomer or vet can do a safe trim if needed.

Is it really a hairball?

Hairballs are often blamed for other problems:

• Coughing with no hairball coming up, especially with the neck stretched out low to the ground, can be feline asthma. Film it on your phone and show your vet.
• Vomiting food or liquid regularly, with or without hair, can be a sign of food sensitivity, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney or thyroid disease, or other conditions.

See a vet right away if your cat

• Retches repeatedly without bringing anything up
• Stops eating, or is constipated or not passing stools
• Has a swollen or painful belly
• Is lethargic or hiding

These can be signs of a blockage, which is an emergency.

Common questions

How often is it normal for a cat to have hairballs?

For most cats, an occasional hairball, no more than once or twice a month, is normal. More often than that is worth a vet check, as it can point to over-grooming or a gut problem.

Do hairball treats work?

Hairball treats and foods usually rely on added fiber, which can help hair pass. They are best used alongside regular brushing, not instead of it.

Can hairballs cause a blockage?

Rarely, yes. A large hairball can get stuck in the stomach or intestines. Repeated unproductive retching, not eating, constipation or a painful belly are warning signs that need a vet the same day.

Why does my cat cough but no hairball comes up?

A cat that hacks or coughs regularly without bringing up a hairball may have asthma or another airway problem rather than hairballs. Record a video of the episode and show your vet.

Should I worry if my cat vomits a hairball right after eating?

Vomiting soon after a meal is more often from eating too fast than from hair. Try smaller meals, a slow feeder or a puzzle feeder. If your cat vomits food regularly, with or without hair, see your vet, since it can be a sign of food sensitivity or bowel disease.

Written from published veterinary guidance. How we write our guides.