How to Help Your Cat with Hairballs: Effective Tips and Solutions

A hairball, also known as a Trichobezoar, occurs when cats ingest their own fur while grooming. Cat tongues act like tiny, hooked brushes that pull their fur into their mouth as they groom themselves. While most of the fur passes normally through the digestive tract, if the digestive system is sluggish or your cat is over-grooming due to stress, that fur stays in the stomach, tangles together, and eventually has to come back up.

If your cat is coughing up hairballs more than once or twice a month, it’s important to figure out the cause. Often, these problems come from a mix of lifestyle and environmental elements. Some cats groom too much because of stress or skin irritation, while others shed a lot during certain seasons. If your cat’s diet is low in fiber or they don’t get enough water, their digestion can slow down, making it harder to pass hair. Focusing on these fundamental causes, instead of just treating the symptoms, is the best cure for hairballs in cats.

Any cat can get a hairball, but some are more likely than others. Long-haired cats like Maine Coons and Persians swallow more fur when they groom themselves, so they often have more hairballs. Age matters too, senior cats may have slower digestion, which makes it harder to pass fur. Hairballs are also common in anxious cats that groom themselves excessively, and in cats with food intolerances or sensitive stomachs that can affect how their bodies move fur through the digestive system.

Hairballs in cats usually present with the following common hairball symptoms:

While the odd hairball is no cause for concern, finding a long-term cat hairball treatment becomes necessary if they happen regularly or lead to irritation in the digestive system.

You should immediately seek medical attention if you see any of these symptoms in your cat:

• Persistent vomiting without hair
• Severe listlessness
• Prolonged constipation for over 48 hours
• Abdominal pain and bloating

You might not be able to prevent every hairball, but you can help make them much less common by supporting your cat’s digestion. The best way is usually simple: make a few easy changes to your cat’s daily routine to keep their system healthy.

Regular grooming is the best way to start. Brushing your cat every day removes excess fur before they can swallow it while cleaning themselves. This is especially important for long-haired cats or during times when they shed more. Plus, daily brushing is a great way to bond with your cat while keeping your furniture fur-free. After brushing, you can use a damp cloth to pick up any leftover hairs.

Cats with slow digestion are often not getting enough water. If your cat mostly eats dry food, they may need more moisture to help fur move through their system. Try offering wet food, several water bowls, or a cat water fountain, since many cats like running water. Feeding smaller meals more often can also help keep their digestion regular and stop fur from building up. More on supporting your cat's digestion naturally.

Fiber works like a broom in your cat’s body, helping swallowed hair move out in their stool instead of coming back up. You can add small amounts of cat-safe foods like canned pumpkin, cat grass, or tiny bits of carrot or apple fiber. Start slowly to avoid upsetting your cat’s stomach.

Sometimes, hairballs are a sign that your cat is stressed or their digestion is slow. Stress can make cats groom too much, and slow digestion makes it harder for fur to pass through their system.

By using these natural methods, you help your cat stay healthy overall, not just cover up a single problem.

Final Thoughts

How can I help my cat with hairballs?

The best way to help is to use a few simple steps. Brush your cat every day to remove shedding fur, make sure they get enough water by offering wet food or a water fountain, and add a natural fiber like canned pumpkin to help move hair through their digestive system.

Can cats poop out hairballs?

Yes. In healthy cats, most swallowed hair passes along the intestines and comes out in the litter box. If the hair does not pass in the stool, it can build up in the stomach and your cat may cough it up as a hairball.

What can I give my cat to dissolve hairballs?

While there is no hairball remedy in cats that will "dissolve" fur once it is swallowed, you can help it pass more easily using natural lubricants and fibers. Safe options include a teaspoon of canned pumpkin, small amounts of fish oil, CBD for pets, or MycoCat Digest, which supports the gut's ability to move waste smoothly.

At what age do cats get hairballs?

Cats can develop hairballs at any age, but they are most common in adults as their grooming habits become more refined. Senior cats are particularly at risk because their digestive transit times naturally slow down as they age, making it harder for ingested fur to pass.

What does a cat hairball look like?

Hairballs are not usually round. Since they come up through the narrow esophagus, they often look like long, cigar-shaped clumps of wet fur, sometimes with a bit of bile or undigested food.

Why is my cat getting hairballs?

Cats often get frequent hairballs if they swallow too much fur from over-grooming or shedding, or if their digestion is slow. Stress, not enough water, and low-fiber diets can also make it harder for fur to move through their system.

Are hairballs normal for shorthaired cats?

Yes, shorthaired cats can get hairballs too, but usually less often than long-haired cats. If your shorthaired cat has frequent hairballs, it could be from over-grooming due to stress or a digestive problem.

How can I help my cat bring up a hairball?

Never try to make your cat vomit. Instead, if you want to help your cat with hairball symptoms, you can help the hair pass through their system by giving extra water and a source of natural fiber. If your cat keeps gagging or vomiting but nothing comes up, call your vet right away.

How long can it take for a cat to expel a hairball?

Most hairballs are coughed up soon after they start to bother your cat’s stomach. If the hair moves through the digestive tract instead, it can take a few hours to a couple of days to come out in the stool.

Angela Ardolino

Angela Ardolino, a certified cannabis and fungi clinician, brings over 20 years of expertise to the field of holistic pet wellness. As a graduate of the inaugural Medical Cannabis for Therapeutic Use program at the University of Vermont School of Medicine, she is a passionate advocate for safe, natural, and ethically-grown whole plant and fungi medicine tailored for pets.

Angela is the founder and formulator behind CBD Dog Health and MycoDog, two pioneering brands that prioritize pet health through carefully crafted Full Spectrum Hemp Extract CBD for dogs, cats, and horses, as well as wild-harvested, dual-extracted mushrooms and adaptogens.

Committed to the highest standards, Angela continues to educate and inspire pet parents through her popular podcast, Your Natural Dog, where she hosts experts to discuss holistic pet care, natural remedies, nutrition, and training. Follow Angela Ardolino on her website, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to stay updated on her mission to educate and empower pet parents everywhere.

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