Everything you need to know about hairballs

Your cat grooms themself several times a day and as a result, swallow and ingest a large amount of fur.

Here is how to make sure this behaviour does not become dangerous for your cat’s health!

Hairballs: a daily situation for your cat

Every day, your cat swallows a lot of fur. By licking their coat, their sharp tongue actually traps fur!

In this way, the fur gets into the digestive system which cannot digest this fairly special “food”!

This is similar to your daily shower: when your hair goes down the drain when you take a shower, over time a ball of hair will form and block the drain. Your cat’s digestive system is like the drain in your shower: if you do nothing, the hair will build up and your cat may vomit up a lovely, unappetizing hairball or worse, not be able to get rid of it at all!

The consequences of hairballs

Hairballs can harm digestion and cause discomfort or even vomiting. When stools get stuck in the colon, they dry out and harden with a risk of constipation-related complications.

Be vigilant as constipation can cause the same uncomfortable effect in animals as in humans:

• Less frequent stools

• Bloating and flatulence

• Abdominal cramps and pain

• Hard, compact stools which are difficult or painful to pass

• Vomiting

Not sure?

Consult your vet before giving your pet a laxative. Hairball care may be an effective solution to prevent hairballs from interfering with your cat’s health!