Hairballs: A Common Cat Health Problem

By : Matthew Paolini
If you're a cat lover like me, few things are more important than the continued good health of your favorite feline. It goes without saying that part of being a cat lover is accepting responsibility for your pet's health. That means finding and building a good relationship with a local veterinarian in the event of an emergency. It also means learning enough about common medical issues to be able to identify them and take the required action to ensure your cat's good health.

One of the most common medical conditions in cats is the hairball. Hairballs are the unintended consequence of a cat's preoccupation with grooming. Because cats clean themselves quite frequently by licking their fur, they invariably ingest some of their own hair. While most of the hair a cat swallows passes through the digestive tract unimpeded, hair can collect in the stomach, where, much like a ball of string, it becomes entwined.

The simple act of vomiting is a natural reaction that almost always allows a cat to take care of hairballs on its own. If a hairball becomes large enough, however, your cat may not be able to pass or vomit it. A serious or even life-threating blockage of the digestive tract may be the result. If you notice symptoms like unproductive drive heaves, a change in your cat's eating habits or a swollen abdomen, take your cat to see the vet as soon as possible.

A good ballpark estimate is that about 25 percent of all digestive blockages in cats are the result of unpassed hairballs. Fortunately, serious problems can often be avoided by taking a proactive approach that emphasizes prevention. If your cat seems to have an abnormally high incidence of hairballs, a prophylactic chat with your vet is in order. He or she may recommend a high fiber diet or prescribe medication that will lubricate your cat's digestive track. Cats like the taste of the flavored meds, which can prevent hairballs from forming at all.

Because hairballs can seriously impact your cat's health, it's important to have a good relationship with a qualified veterinarian should your cat require professional care. Remember, too, that regular checkups can add many years to the life of your favorite feline. If you need a vet, try asking a fellow cat lover for their personal recommendation. If you're new to the neighborhood or have no one to ask, you can find a qualified vet in your area by checking your local or online yellow pages.


Matt Paolini is a cat lover and Managing Editor of Citybook.com, the Internet's leading family-safe yellow pages directory. Locate a veterinarian in your neighborhood using CityBook.com's online yellow pages.