Believe it or not, there's a National Hairball Awareness Day! It always takes place on the last Friday of April – and this year, that date is April 25th.
If this is news to you, perhaps you're asking yourself, “Why do hairballs need their own day?” Keep reading, and we'll cover everything you need to know.
The Story Behind Hairball Awareness Day
This special day was started by Dr. Blake Hawly, a veterinarian and pet nutrition expert. His goal was to help cat owners understand why their pets cough up hairballs (the technical term for a hairball is trichobezoar) and discover ways to reduce how often it happens.
This awareness day lands on the last Friday of every April. Around that time, you might notice posts or funny pictures about it popping up on social media to get the message out.
If you spot one, consider sharing it! It's a great way to help other cat owners learn more. And if you don't see any posts, why not make one yourself? Sharing cute photos of your cats is a fun way to grab attention while also passing along helpful tips on how people can help prevent hairballs.
What Are Hairballs?
While hairballs are quite common for cats and dogs – a normal side effect of grooming – they usually aren't a major concern. However, issues can arise if a hairball gets stuck and doesn't pass through the cat's digestive system.
This can create internal blockages, potentially leading to serious health problems, which can occasionally be life-threatening. National Hairball Awareness Day was created to highlight these potential dangers.
It's true that cats with longer fur are more prone to getting hairballs. Still, almost any cat can have one from time to time. Your cat's tongue has a special, rough texture, almost like little hooks. This surface acts like a built-in brush, grabbing loose hair as they clean themselves. When they swallow that hair, it doesn't always pass right through; sometimes it collects in their stomach, forming a hairball.
Are Hairballs Dangerous for Cats?
While usually just a normal part of having a cat, you should become concerned if your cat is coughing up hairballs very frequently, or if the experience seems especially difficult or upsetting for them. Sometimes, having hairballs can be a clue that there's another health problem slowing down their digestion, or it might mean there's already a partial blockage contributing to the issue.
The real danger becomes apparent when a hairball gets too big for your cat to expel, either by coughing it up or passing it through their system. If it gets stuck, it can cause a serious internal blockage that could become life-threatening. This doesn't happen often, but it is seen more in cats with long fur.
As a cat owner, being aware of the warning signs is very helpful. Pay attention if you notice your cat constantly gagging, hacking, or trying to vomit without success, a sudden loss of interest in food, appearing very tired or having little energy, and changes in their litter box habits, such as diarrhea or constipation. All these symptoms could indicate that something more serious is going on.
When is it Time to Call the Vet About Hairballs?
It's helpful to know what's considered normal. One vet expert suggests that if your cat is bringing up more than just one or two hairballs a year, it might not be typical. Often, when a cat vomits, there's hair mixed in, leading owners to think it's just a hairball, which seems common. However, this frequent vomiting, even with hair present, could actually signal another health issue.
So, when could hairballs point to a more serious problem? You should consider contacting your vet if you see your cat producing hairballs very often. According to animal health organizations, cats that frequently vomit hairballs might have an underlying medical issue, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or even, in some cases, cancer.
It's also important to see the vet if your cat seems to be struggling to bring up a hairball. This could mean the hairball is stuck and causing a blockage. In fact, some blockages caused by hairballs are severe enough that they need to be surgically removed.
Is It Possible to Prevent Hairballs?
The good news is yes, there are things you can do to help stop hairballs, especially if your cat seems to get them quite often. Your very first move should be a trip to the vet. This is important to make sure there isn't an underlying health problem causing the frequent hairballs. Once you've ruled that out, you can try some of these helpful tips.
Regular grooming:
One of the best approaches is regular grooming. By brushing your cat often, you remove loose fur before they can be swallowed while they clean themselves. This significantly reduces the amount of hair they swallow, and it's also a great way to bond with your pet.
If your cat isn't keen on being brushed at first, you might be able to help them get used to it over time with patience and positive reinforcement, like treats or praise. Just be sure never to force the grooming, as that could make them dislike it even more. If brushing at home isn't working well or you can't manage it consistently, consider taking your cat to a professional groomer every few months.
Hydration habits:
Making sure your cat drinks enough water is also key because not getting enough water can slow down a cat's digestion and lead to other health issues. Since cats aren't always great at drinking enough water on their own, you can encourage better hydration by making sure they have several bowls of fresh, clean water available in different spots around your home.
Another trick is to increase their moisture intake through their food by feeding them wet food, or adding a little water from canned tuna (packed in water, not oil) or some low-sodium chicken broth to their meals.
A balanced diet:
Changing what your cat eats can also make a big difference! Sometimes, the answer to frequent hairballs is as straightforward as adjusting their diet. There are many ways to adjust their diet, including looking for cat foods and treats specifically made to help control hairballs.
Adding a little of high-fiber food like plain pumpkin puree, small amounts of cooked carrots, or small pieces of apple can help keep their digestive system moving efficiently. Foods such as oily fish (tuna or sardines) can act as a natural lubricant for their digestive tract, helping swallowed hair pass through more easily before it can clump up and potentially cause a blockage.
What tricks do you use to help keep hairballs away from your cat? We encourage you to share what you know with other cat lovers on National Hairball Awareness Day!
You can find us on Instagram @hilde.phil – please give us a follow. We'd love it if you sent us a DM there to share your own hairball prevention tips.
