Cat Hair Ball Symptoms

Anybody who owns a cat, especially one of the longer-haired breeds like a Persian, probably has had to deal with hairballs. Because of the cat's powerful instinct to groom itself, it is inevitable that hair will accumulate in its stomach. Over time, a hairball may form, which must be expelled through vomiting. If the cat is unable to expel the hairball, the object could become lodged in its intestine, resulting in serious injury or death. By regular combing and feeding of a high-fiber cat food, you can reduce the accumulation of hairballs.

  1. Ejecting Hairballs

    • The most obvious symptom of hairballs in cats is when they cough up and expel them. This is a fairly common occurrence in cats, and is usually not cause for alarm. However, if the vomiting occurs more than twice a month, the cat may have a digestive problem and should receive medical attention.

    Coughing

    • When cats are ready to eject a hairball, they make a coughing noise and their entire body appears to convulse. This is typical behavior. However, if the coughing is not followed by the projection of the hairball, another medical condition could be present, such as asthma. This will require medical treatment.

    Lack of Appetite and Lethargy

    • Until a cat is able to expel the accumulated hair, it may lose its appetite. Iit may become lethargic. The cat can lose weight. It also might become constipated.

    Hair in Feces

    • A large amount of hair in a cat's feces also might be a sign of an accumulation of hair and the presence of a hairball.

    Retching

    • If the cat retches frequently without coughing up a hairball, that might be a sign that it is trying unsuccessfully to expel it. If this continues, take the cat to a veterinarian for an exam.