Hairball Dangers

One minute your cat is resting peacefully on their perch enjoying a nice nap, the next they are hunched over, making an retching noise, followed by something exiting their esophagus. You observe what has just occurred and the evidence of the event. It’s none other than… a hairball.

A trichobezoar, is a wad of undigested hair that is otherwise known as a hairball.

Hairballs can vary in size but are typically about an inch long and cylindrical in shape. They commonly match the color of the cat’s coat and may also include gastric secretions like bile.

Since cat’s are frequent groomers, it is normal for them to swallow lose hair. While swallowed hair will often pass through the digestive system and be eliminated in feces, it can sometimes gather in the stomach where is gradually accumulates, eventually leading to a hairball.

While they are not usually a cause for concern, hairballs can occasionally cause obstruction. If your cat is lethargic, has a change in eating habits for longer than a day or two, or has episodes of unproductive retching, treatment may be required.

Consult your veterinarian if you think your cat may be suffering from an obstruction. While some over-the-counter treatments are available, it is recommended that medication always be given under the approval of a veterinarian.

Reference: https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/danger-hairballs