Cat Getting Hair Balls? Here’s Why and 8 Remedies That Work

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Occasionally throwing up hair balls is a normal part of a cat's grooming process and shouldn't be alarming. But too many hair balls - usually, more than a few a year - may be cause for concern.

Luckily, there are several diet and routine adjustments that can help prevent hair balls. Just be sure to check with your veterinarian if you have any concerns. Your vet can help you rule out medical causes and weigh in on the best remedies for your cat.

Why do cats get hair balls?

Hair balls are caused by an excess amount of loose hair in a cat's digestive tract.

When a cat groom themselves, loose hairs attach to the barbs on their tongue. In most cases, these hairs will pass through the digestive tract and exit through the cat's poop. But if there are too many hairs, or if there is an underlying health issue, the hairs will harden and form a mass. This mass is what many cat owners recognize as a hair ball.

It's normal for cats to occasionally throw up hair balls. But if your cat has more than a few hair balls a year, it may be due to an issue such as:

• Eating foreign objects: If the loose hairs get tangled with foreign objects like fabric or plastic in your cat's digestive tract, it becomes more difficult for the hairs to pass via poop.

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): If your cat has gastrointestinal (GI) problems, such as IBD, loose hair and food pass through their digestive tract at a slower pace. This can lead to excess hair ball formation.

• Overgrooming:Grooming too much can lead to extra hair balls if your cat is swallowing more loose hair than the digestive tract can handle.

Symptoms of cat hair balls

Cats pass hair balls through vomiting. This typically causes dry retching and heaving motions. In most cases, cats behave normally before and after vomiting a hair ball. When they're about to vomit, they will likely:

• Crouch their shoulders down

• Arch their back

• Hack, retch, or gag

It shouldn't take long for the hair ball to come up. So if your cat seems distressed or can't keep food or water down, take them to their veterinarian.

When your cat throws up a hair ball, it should show up in their vomit. If you do not immediately find a hair ball, you may need to examine the vomit more closely.

What does a cat hair ball look like?

Hair balls don't actually come out in the shape of a ball. They're long and shaped like a cylinder. The shape is caused by the mass of hair traveling up through a cat's esophagus. And bile and saliva generally accompany them.

Hair balls can vary in size. Some can be several inches long and somewhat thick. They're usually the color of a cat's fur. And they typically come with a mild odor.

What are some proven remedies for cat hair balls?

The best way to address cat hair balls depends on the cause. In many cases, prevention is key.

If your cat throws up more than one or two hair balls a year, the following eight remedies may help.

1. Groom your cat

One of the simplest ways to prevent hair balls is to regularly brush your cat. Because hair balls are caused by an excess of loose hair, they can often be prevented with consistent grooming.

If you own a long-haired cat, trips to a professional groomer may also be needed to keep hair balls in check.

2. Feed your cat food formulated for hair balls

You can try feeding your cat special food that helps control hair balls. This type of food is designed to help move hair through and then out of your cat's digestive system.

Feline diets higher in fiber may reduce how often your cat produces hair balls. One study, for example, found that long-haired cats had fewer hair balls after having fiber added to their diets. You can also buy cat food formulated specifically to help reduce hair balls.

3. Give your cat dietary supplements

You can also try supplementing your cat's existing diet to help with hair balls. One option is giving your cat liquid paraffin, which acts as a lubricant and can assist with digestion. Natural products such as pumpkin and fish oil have also been shown to improve feline GI health. But be sure to consult your veterinarian before adding supplements to your cat's diet.

Giving cats certain grease-based products, such as petroleum jelly, is commonly thought to be a good way to help them with hair balls. But this is not scientifically proven.

4. Try hair ball prevention products

There are several products designed for reducing hair balls, which come in forms such as:

• Soft chews

• Gels

• Pastes

These products have mild laxative effects that can help your cat pass hair balls easier. But, as with anything new, be sure to consult your veterinarian before giving one of these prevention products to your cat.

5. Prevent excessive grooming

Excessive grooming in cats can be caused by a number of issues, such as stress or boredom. When cats groom themselves too much, they may swallow too much loose hair, leading to an overproduction of hair balls.

If your cat is prone to overgrooming, schedule an appointment with their vet to rule out medical conditions that could be at the root of the issue. If your cat is overgrooming because they're bored, providing plenty of enrichment and having regular playtime can help.

6. Feed your cat smaller meals

Digestive issues can also cause too many hair balls. To help regulate their digestive process, try feeding your cat smaller, more frequent meals.

7. Pay attention to your cat's environment

If your cat has a habit of eating small items - such as threads, paper clips, or twist ties - remove these objects from your cat's environment. Eating foreign items can contribute to abnormal hair ball production. It can also lead to potentially life-threatening medical issues.

8. Provide plenty of water

Keep your cat's water bowl full and make sure they are staying properly hydrated. If your cat is not drinking enough water, it may be harder for them to properly digest food and loose hair.

When should you worry about your cat's hair balls?

The following signs may indicate it's time to take your cat to the vet to get their hair balls checked out:

• Frequent hair balls (2 or more per year)

• Low appetite

• Lethargy

• Diarrhea

• Bald spots or patches of red skin

How will your vet help your cat with hair balls?

Your veterinarian will likely perform a full physical exam on your cat to check for underlying issues that could be causing hair balls. Additional tests may include:

• Blood tests

• Abdominal exams

• X-rays

• Ultrasounds

• Upper GI endoscopy

In milder cases, treatment to rehydrate the hair ball or a gentle laxative may resolve the issue. But do not give your cat laxatives unless directed by your vet.

In more severe cases, a hair ball may be too large or dense to comfortably pass. If this happens to your cat, they may need surgery to remove the blockage.

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