Why Do Cats Get Hairballs? Causes and Warning Signs

How hairballs form

Cats are meticulous groomers. Tiny backward-facing structures on the surface of the tongue help them comb through their coats and remove loose hair, dirt, and debris. The grooming action also means that loose fur is swallowed, especially when a cat is shedding or has a thick coat.

Hair is made largely of keratin, a tough protein that the digestive system does not break down like ordinary food. In many cats, swallowed fur travels through the intestines and exits in the feces. Sometimes, however, strands gather in the stomach, become mixed with mucus and digestive material, and are brought back up.

Despite the name, a hairball is usually not a round ball. It is often a damp, narrow, sausage-shaped clump shaped by the cat’s esophagus as it comes up. The veterinary term is a trichobezoar. A single occasional hairball can happen in a healthy cat, but frequent episodes or difficulty bringing one up deserve attention.

Which cats are more likely to get them?

Any cat that grooms can swallow hair, but some circumstances make hairballs more likely:

Long or dense coats: More loose fur can be caught and swallowed during grooming. Long-haired cats may therefore bring up hair more often, though short-haired cats can get hairballs too.
Seasonal shedding: Cats may take in more fur when their coat is shedding heavily. Indoor cats can shed throughout the year, so the pattern is not always limited to a particular season.
Frequent grooming: A cat that licks itself more than usual may swallow extra fur. Excessive grooming can be associated with skin irritation, discomfort, stress, or other problems, so a noticeable change is worth discussing with a veterinarian.
Coat and grooming needs: Mats and loose undercoat can increase grooming challenges. Regular brushing helps remove loose hair before the cat swallows it.

Age alone does not explain every hairball. If a cat suddenly starts producing them often, look at the change in context rather than assuming it is simply part of getting older.

Hairballs, coughing, and vomiting are not the same

A common misconception is that every retching sound means a cat is trying to expel a hairball. Hairballs are vomited from the stomach. Coughing, by contrast, comes from the airways, and a cat may crouch low and extend its neck while coughing. It can be difficult to tell the difference by sound or posture alone.

A hairball episode may involve abdominal heaving followed by a clump of fur and fluid. A cat that repeatedly coughs without producing anything may have an airway problem rather than a hairball. Likewise, vomiting food or liquid repeatedly is not the same as an occasional hairball. A video of an episode can help a veterinarian understand what is happening.

Do not assume that repeated unproductive retching is harmless. Call a veterinarian if your cat keeps retching without bringing anything up, has repeated vomiting, seems weak or distressed, stops eating, or has trouble passing stool. These signs can have causes other than hairballs and may need prompt assessment. If breathing is difficult, contact a veterinarian urgently.

Reducing swallowed fur

Brushing is the most straightforward way to remove loose hair from the coat before grooming does. The useful frequency depends on the cat’s coat and tolerance; long-haired or heavily shedding cats may need more frequent brushing than short-haired cats. Use a gentle tool suited to the coat, and stop if grooming causes distress or discomfort.

Other practical steps include:

Check the coat regularly for loose fur, tangles, or mats, especially where the hair is longer.
Keep grooming calm and gradual if your cat is not used to brushing; short sessions can be easier to tolerate.
Pay attention to changes in licking. Persistent overgrooming, thinning fur, or irritated skin should be discussed with a veterinarian.
Ask a veterinarian before using hairball products or making a major change to your cat’s food. Products and diets are not a substitute for checking recurring symptoms.

Never pull at a mat that is tight against the skin or use scissors close to the skin; cat skin can be injured easily. A veterinarian or qualified groomer can advise on safe handling of stubborn mats.

When hairballs may signal a problem

An occasional hairball in an otherwise comfortable cat is different from repeated vomiting or ongoing retching. In some cases, a large mass of hair can obstruct the digestive tract, although vomiting and appetite changes can also arise from many other conditions. Only a veterinarian can determine what is causing a particular cat’s signs.

Contact a veterinarian if hairballs become frequent, episodes are increasing, or your cat also has reduced appetite, lethargy, constipation, diarrhea, weight loss, or a change in normal behavior. Seek prompt help for repeated attempts to vomit without producing anything, marked distress, or breathing difficulty. Do not give human medicines or attempt to make a cat vomit.

It is also worth noting what comes up. Fur mixed with a small amount of fluid may fit an ordinary hairball episode, but blood, unusual material, or repeated food and liquid vomiting calls for veterinary advice rather than home treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are hairballs normal for cats?

Occasional hairballs can occur because cats swallow fur while grooming. Frequent episodes, repeated retching, or other changes in appetite, energy, or bowel habits are not something to dismiss as normal; call a veterinarian.

Why does my cat cough like it has a hairball?

Coughing can sound like retching, but it may come from the airways rather than the stomach. If the episodes recur or your cat seems to struggle to breathe, contact a veterinarian and, if possible, record the episode.

Do short-haired cats get hairballs?

Yes. Long-haired cats may swallow more loose fur, but short-haired cats groom too and can develop hairballs.

Can brushing prevent hairballs?

Regular brushing removes loose hair before a cat can swallow it, so it may reduce hairballs. It cannot guarantee that a cat will never get one, and grooming needs vary with coat type and shedding.

Should I worry if my cat keeps trying to bring up a hairball?

Yes, repeated unproductive retching needs veterinary attention because it may not be a hairball. Call a veterinarian, especially if your cat is distressed, weak, not eating, or having trouble breathing.

Further reading: Cornell Feline Health Center. Details can change, so check the official page for anything that matters to you. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. How we write an answer.