Believe it or not, there’s a National Hairball Awareness Day! It happens every year on the last Friday of April - this year, that’s April 25th.
So why do hairballs deserve their own day? Because while they’re common, they can sometimes be dangerous. Here’s what every cat owner should know.
Why Do Cats Get Hairballs?
Cats groom themselves with tongues that act like tiny brushes. Loose fur often gets swallowed, and while most passes through, sometimes it clumps together in the stomach, forming a hairball (trichobezoar).
- Long-haired cats are more prone.
- Most hairballs aren’t serious.
- Danger comes when they cause blockages.
Are Hairballs Dangerous?
Usually, hairballs are harmless. But there are red flags that could signal a bigger issue:
- Frequent gagging or vomiting
- Struggling to bring up a hairball
- Loss of appetite
- Low energy
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Diarrhea or constipation
These may point to a blockage, or even underlying health problems like IBD or, in rare cases, cancer. And if your cat seems to struggle often or has more than 1–2 hairballs a year, it’s time to call the vet.
How to Prevent Hairballs in 3 Effective Ways
Take control of hairballs! You can minimize your cat's hairballs with 3 easy strategies.
1. Groom Regularly:
- Brush often to remove loose fur.
- Use positive reinforcement (natural treats or praise) so cats learn to enjoy it.
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Consider a professional groomer if brushing at home is tough.
2. Keep Cats Hydrated:
- Place multiple water bowls around your home.
- Add wet food to their diet.
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Mix in a little tuna water (from tuna in water, not oil) or low-sodium chicken broth to encourage drinking.
3. Adjust Their Diet:
- Try hairball-control cat food or treats.
- Add small amounts of fiber (pumpkin puree, carrots, apples).
- Offer natural lubricants like oily fish (tuna, sardines) to help hair pass through.
When to Call the Vet About Hairballs?
It's helpful to understand what's normal for hairballs. One vet suggests that if your cat produces more than one or two hairballs a year, it might be unusual. Owners often mistake frequent vomiting with hair for typical hairballs. However, this could signal another health issue.
So, when do hairballs become a serious concern? Contact your vet if your cat produces hairballs very often. Animal health organizations state that frequent hairball vomiting might indicate underlying medical issues like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or, in some cases, cancer.
Also, see the vet if your cat struggles to bring up a hairball. This could mean a blockage, and some hairball blockages are severe enough to require surgical removal.
Celebrate Hairball Awareness Day
National Hairball Awareness Day started thanks to Dr. Blake Hawly, a veterinarian and pet nutrition expert. His objective was to help pet owners understand the complexities of hairballs.
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.
