Cat Hairball Impaction Symptoms

Cats groom themselves regularly and swallow hair in the process. When hair accumulates in the stomach or small intestine, it is either expelled in the stool or vomited. While hairballs are usually not a cause for concern, in large numbers they can be dangerous. When hairballs block the intestinal tract, the cat is unable to vomit or expel feces. This condition is known as impaction.

  1. Vomiting

    • A cat with hairball impaction may vomit undigested food or retch without vomiting anything.

    Defecation

    • Hairball impaction is a condition of the digestive tract and may present itself in the litter box. A cat with hairball impaction may suffer from an inability to defecate and diarrhea.

    Stomach Discomfort

    • A cat with hairball impaction may have a swollen abdomen, and the discomfort may cause a loss of appetite.