What Is Cat Hairball (Trichobezoar) and How to Treat It
📝 Summary
Cats groom with their tongues and swallow hair; if not passed, it forms a 'hairball' in the gut.
1 Overview
Cats groom often; in spring/fall shedding, unpassed hairballs cause poor appetite and spirit, weight loss.
4 signs of hairballs
Too much swallowed hair blocks the gut, causing constipation.
Retching, vomiting
Hair blocks the gut, irritates it, causes poor digestion, no appetite, vomiting.
Low energy
Gut discomfort from hairballs saps energy even in lively cats.
Weight loss, weaker immunity
Unpassed hairballs make cats thinner, eat poorly, constipated, weaker — even death if severe!
Ways to prevent hairballs
Cat grass
When uneasy, cats nibble grass tips, which triggers vomiting to expel hairballs; grass has fiber to aid digestion and constipation.
Pumpkin / pumpkin puree
Pumpkin (steamed) is natural, fiber-rich; add to food to aid gut movement. Don’t overfeed (starch).
Also use a hairball paste, groom regularly, exercise — to cut hairballs and enjoy your cat!
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