Cat Hairball & Vomiting

It's common for cats to produce hairballs. Hairballs, also called trichobezoars or fur balls, usually develop after a cat grooms itself. During grooming, a cat may swallow loose hair, which usually passes through the digestive system; however, remaining hair may collect in the stomach or small intestine. This causes the cat to hack or gag until it vomits up the hair. The vomited hair is usually matted or tubular in shape.

  1. Cats Prone to Hairballs

    • Some cats acquire hairballs more frequently than others. Long-haired cats, cats that shed excessively or cats that groom themselves compulsively are more prone than others. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), frequent vomiting of hairballs can sometimes be a symptom of an underlying problem such as inflammatory bowel disease or cancer.

    Hairball Symptoms

    • Hairballs will cause a cat to hack and vomit, and may also cause it to become constipated or experience a decrease in appetite. Hairballs often cause an upset stomach, and the cat may vomit food or mucus. The ASPCA recommends taking a cat to a veterinarian if its gagging continues for more than 24 hours or if it is constipated or has diarrhea. Although rare, hairballs can cause intestinal blockages, which may require surgery.

    Prevention

    • A veterinarian can determine if hairballs are causing a cat's vomiting. Daily brushing may help limit the amount of hair it ingests, and commercial cat food specifically designed to reduce hairballs can also help. In addition, most pet stores sell hairball remedies or lubricants. Lastly, you can distract your cat from grooming itself excessively by giving it a new toy.

    Vomiting

    • In addition to hairballs, a cat may also vomit because it ate too much or played too soon after eating. Other causes include a change in diet, viral infections, certain medications, intestinal parasites or post-operative nausea. More serious causes may be a bacterial infection of the gastrointestinal tract, acute kidney failure, acute liver failure, gall bladder inflammation, intestinal obstruction, gastric or intestinal tumors or ingestion of toxins or chemicals. Contact your veterinarian if your cat is frequently vomiting.

    Vomiting Symptoms

    • A cat that is frequently vomiting will probably have other symptoms, such as diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss, change in appetite and water intake, lethargy, or blood in the vomit. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian. Your veterinarian may choose to do a blood test, X-ray, sonogram or fecal examination in order to make an accurate diagnosis.