A Cat With a Hairball That Won't Pass

Hairballs, or trichobezoars, are balls of fur in a cat's stomach that occur when hair is swallowed during grooming. Hairballs that are not vomited or passed through the digestive tract may cause health problems. While hairballs occur naturally, steps may be taken to reduce and prevent the occurrence of hairballs.

  1. Causes and Symptoms

    • Hairballs are formed when a cat swallows fur while grooming. Much of this fur moves along the digestive tract and exits the cat's body through feces. The hair that stays in the stomach forms a hairball. A hairball in the stomach is usually vomited up. Symptoms of a cat's vomiting a hairball may include coughing and gagging, according to the website WebMD. Once vomited, hairballs appear as long, thin pieces of matted fur and may be covered with bile and other digestive fluids.

    Intestinal Blockage

    • Hairballs that are not removed by vomiting can cause a serious blockage. Symptoms of a blockage may include frequent vomiting, lack of energy, diarrhea and decreased appetite. If your cat displays any of these symptoms, take it to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Treatment may include fluids, laxatives or surgery to remove the blockage.

    Laxatives and Diet

    • Laxatives will help your cat pass hairballs. Laxatives may be purchased at your local pet store or through your veterinarian. Most cats enjoy the taste of these laxatives, so they are usually easy to administer.

      Many cat foods are designed to prevent and treat hairballs. These cat foods include ingredients that minimize shedding and provide additional fiber to help cats pass hairballs naturally. Talk to your veterinarian to determine the best cat food for your pet.

    Grooming

    • Cats with long fur are more likely to develop hairballs. Regular grooming can reduce the amount of hair that your cat ingests. Brush your cat daily and bathe it regularly. Consider taking your cat to a professional groomer if daily brushing is difficult. If your cat grooms itself excessively, it may be ingesting more fur than normal. Many cats groom when they are bored; play with your cat and provide toys and activities to take the place of excessive grooming.

    Non-Food Items

    • Some cats ingest non-food items, such as yarn, string or paper, that can cause a blockage. Prevent your cat from eating non-food items by keeping string, yarn and other tempting items out of your cat's reach. Never let your cat play with string unattended. Check cat toys to ensure there are no small pieces your cat might swallow during play.