{"id":338,"date":"2021-08-03T05:58:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-03T09:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.allcreaturesvetbrooklyn.com\/blog\/?p=338"},"modified":"2021-07-26T18:17:10","modified_gmt":"2021-07-26T22:17:10","slug":"cat-hairballs-what-you-should-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.allcreaturesvetbrooklyn.com\/blog\/cat-hairballs-what-you-should-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Cat Hairballs: What You Should Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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From across the room, you hear gagging and retching sounds. Unfortunately, what comes next is your cat hacking up a hairball and you scurrying to clean up the mess. As a cat owner, this is a regular albeit unpleasant scenario. While hairballs can be gross, they are a common result of your cat\u2019s grooming routine. Hairballs are harmless most of the time, although occasionally they can signal a bigger cat health<\/a> problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Causes Cat Hairballs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As cats groom themselves, their tongues grab hair with tiny spikes called papillae. Typically, the loose hair goes through the digestive tract with no problem. When some remains in the stomach, a hairball forms, and cats will eventually vomit to get rid of it. As you might imagine, hairballs are more common in long-haired cats. You may also notice more frequent hairballs as cats get older because they become more efficient groomers. Cats can also experience hairballs more often during seasons of the year when shedding occurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When to Worry<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Regurgitated hairballs are often in the shape of a cylinder, rather than an actual ball, due to the narrow nature of the esophagus. They can vary in size, from one to four inches long. In most cases, a cat will pass a hairball through one end or another! However, if your cat is displaying one or more of these behaviors, it can indicate a blockage that requires veterinary care<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n