Gagging Fur Balls in Felines

Cleaning up hairballs is an off-putting but all too common occurrence for cat owners. Cats with long hair or that groom frequently produce hairballs more often than short-haired cats or less-frequent groomers. Although it is normal for a cat to rid itself of a hairball through vomiting, this can indicate a serious underlying condition. If your cat gags or vomits persistently, consult your veterinarian.

  1. Cause

    • Hairballs are caused when a cat grooms itself and swallows loose hair. While this hair can pass through the cat without causing any harm, it also sometimes collects in the stomach or small intestine. The presence of this ball of fur causes the cat to gag until it vomits the hairball. Hairballs range in appearance from matted clumps of hair to tubular shapes.

    Symptoms

    • A cat with a hairball may appear constipated or may have a poor appetite. The more obvious symptoms are the gagging and vomiting used to eject the hairball. When your cat vomits, the presence of hair in the vomit indicates that your cat suffers from hairballs. Occasionally the hairball will remain in the cat's stomach even after the cat has vomited.

    Treatment

    • It is normal for a cat to gag and vomit a hairball over the course of a day. However, if the gagging extends for more than a day, or if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as constipation or diarrhea, consult your veterinarian. Hairballs can become lodged in the esophagus, where they create an intestinal blockage. If your cat seems constipated, it may have an intestinal blockage and require surgery.

    Prevention

    • To prevent hairballs, brush your cat frequently and wipe its coat with a cloth to eliminate loose hair. Certain types of cat food are also designed to reduce your cat's likelihood of developing hairballs. Commercial hairball remedies and lubricants are also available to help smooth the passage of hair through your cat's system.

    Other Conditions

    • If your cat vomits hairballs frequently, it may have an underlying medical condition such as cancer or inflammatory bowel disease. Vomiting can also indicate the presence of parasites, food allergies, poisoning, liver failure and kidney disease, among other conditions. Bring your cat to the veterinarian if you suspect a serious problem.