How Hairballs Form in Cats and How to Help Them Pass Naturally

That familiar hacking sound can make any cat owner stop what they are doing. A few moments later, a damp, tube-shaped clump of hair may appear on the floor.

Hairballs are common, especially in long-haired cats and during shedding seasons. However, frequent gagging or vomiting should not automatically be dismissed as “just another hairball.”

Understanding how hairballs form can help you reduce the amount of fur your cat swallows, support its natural passage through the digestive tract and recognize when veterinary attention is needed.

What Is a Cat Hairball?

A cat hairball is a collection of swallowed fur that accumulates in the stomach. Its medical name is a trichobezoar.

Cats naturally swallow loose hair while grooming. Their tongues are covered with tiny backward-facing structures called papillae, which help remove dirt and loose fur from the coat. Because these structures point toward the throat, much of the collected hair is swallowed.

Hair is primarily made from keratin, which cannot be digested in the same way as food. Most swallowed hair normally travels through the gastrointestinal tract and leaves the body in the stool.

When some of that hair remains in the stomach, it may collect into a damp mass. The cat may eventually vomit it up as a hairball.

Despite the name, expelled hairballs are rarely shaped like balls. They are often long and cylindrical because they are compressed while passing through the esophagus.

Why Do Some Cats Get More Hairballs Than Others?

Every cat grooms, but hairball frequency differs considerably. Several factors can increase the amount of hair swallowed or affect how efficiently it passes through the digestive system.

Long or Dense Coats

Long-haired breeds such as Persians and Maine Coons may swallow more fur during grooming. Cats with dense undercoats can also ingest significant amounts of loose hair.

These cats often benefit from more frequent brushing, particularly when their coats are shedding.

Seasonal Shedding

Many cats lose more hair during seasonal coat changes. Indoor cats may shed throughout the year because artificial lighting and controlled indoor temperatures can affect the natural shedding cycle.

More loose fur on the coat means more opportunities for a cat to swallow hair while grooming.

Frequent or Excessive Grooming

Some cats groom more than others. Excessive grooming may occur because of:

• Fleas or other parasites

• Food or environmental allergies

• Skin irritation

• Pain

• Anxiety or environmental stress

• Matted fur

If a cat is developing bald areas, skin irritation or substantially more hairballs than usual, the underlying reason for overgrooming should be investigated.

Age and Grooming Habits

Kittens may develop fewer hairballs because they have not yet established the thorough grooming habits of adult cats. Older cats may spend more time grooming, although illness or arthritis can also cause some senior cats to groom less effectively.

Digestive Health

Normal gastrointestinal movement helps swallowed hair travel through the intestines. Cats with recurring digestive problems or altered gastrointestinal motility may have more difficulty moving hair through the digestive tract.

Frequent hairballs can occasionally be associated with an underlying skin or gastrointestinal condition. A veterinarian can help determine whether further examination is necessary.

Are Hairballs Normal?

An occasional hairball can occur in an otherwise healthy cat. The cat should quickly return to normal eating, drinking and behavior afterward.

However, frequent vomiting is not something owners should simply accept as normal. A cat that regularly vomits hair, food or liquid may have a medical problem unrelated to hairballs.

Keep a simple record of:

• How often vomiting occurs

• Whether the vomit actually contains hair

• Changes in appetite

• Changes in stool frequency or consistency

• Weight loss

• Excessive grooming

• Skin or coat changes

• Changes in activity or behavior

This information can help your veterinarian distinguish occasional hairballs from a recurring health issue.

Warning Signs That Require Veterinary Attention

A hairball can occasionally become too large to leave the stomach or pass through the intestines. Gastrointestinal obstruction is uncommon, but it can be serious.

Seek veterinary advice promptly if your cat has:

• Repeated vomiting or unproductive retching

• An inability to keep down food or water

• Loss of appetite

• Lethargy or unusual weakness

• Abdominal pain or sensitivity

• A swollen or tense abdomen

• Constipation or lack of bowel movements

• Diarrhea that continues

• Blood in the vomit or stool

• Unexplained weight loss

• Difficulty breathing or coughing

Hacking or coughing is not always caused by hairballs. Respiratory problems, including feline asthma, can sometimes look similar. A cat that repeatedly crouches, extends its neck and coughs without producing a hairball should be examined by a veterinarian.

Do not give your cat human laxatives, mineral oil or other home remedies unless specifically instructed by a veterinarian. Incorrect products or amounts can create additional risks.

How to Help Prevent Hairballs in Cats

No method can stop every hairball, but a combination of grooming, hydration, nutrition and appropriate hairball support may reduce swallowed fur and help it move through the digestive tract.

1. Brush Your Cat Regularly

Brushing removes loose fur before your cat can swallow it.

For short-haired cats, brushing several times per week may be sufficient. Long-haired cats and heavy shedders may benefit from daily grooming.

Use a brush appropriate for your cat’s coat type. Work gently and stop if the skin appears painful or irritated. Mats close to the skin may require professional grooming rather than pulling or cutting them at home.

Regular brushing also gives you an opportunity to check for fleas, dry skin, sores, lumps and changes in coat condition.

2. Support Healthy Hydration

Adequate hydration supports normal digestive function.

Encourage water intake by:

• Providing several clean water bowls

• Refreshing water daily

• Using a pet water fountain

• Keeping water away from dirty litter areas

• Including appropriate wet food in the diet

A sudden increase or decrease in drinking can indicate a health problem and should be discussed with a veterinarian.

3. Feed a Suitable, Balanced Diet

A complete and balanced diet remains the foundation of your cat’s health. Some hairball-control foods contain specific types of dietary fiber intended to help swallowed hair move through the digestive system.

Before changing food, consider your cat’s age, weight, health history and any diagnosed food sensitivities. Make dietary changes gradually unless a veterinarian tells you otherwise.

4. Address Excessive Grooming

A hairball product cannot solve the cause of excessive licking.

Look for:

• Fleas or flea dirt

• Red or irritated skin

• Bald spots

• Repeated licking of one area

• Changes following a new food

• Household stress

• Pain when touched

If excessive grooming continues, arrange a veterinary examination. Treating the underlying skin, pain or behavioral problem may reduce the amount of hair swallowed.

5. Consider a Cat Hairball Paste

Hairball pastes are formulated to support the movement of swallowed fur through the digestive tract. Depending on the formula, they may contain oils, fiber, prebiotics or other nutritional ingredients.

A hairball paste should be used as part of a broader routine that includes grooming, hydration and appropriate nutrition. It should not be used to delay veterinary care when a cat shows signs of obstruction or recurring vomiting.

How Does Hairball Paste Work?

Hairball paste is designed to create a smooth, palatable mixture that can help swallowed fur move through the digestive tract and leave the body in the stool.

Different products use different ingredients. Always review the label rather than assuming every hairball remedy works in exactly the same way.

Purebreds Cat Hairball Care Paste uses a formula containing olive oil, deep-sea fish oil, fructooligosaccharides, taurine, vitamins and additional nutrients.

Olive Oil

Olive oil provides a smooth oil component within the paste. In a hairball-support formula, it is intended to help swallowed fur travel through the gastrointestinal tract more easily.

The product should still be given only according to its feeding directions. Adding large quantities of oil separately to a cat’s diet may cause digestive upset and is not recommended.

Deep-Sea Fish Oil

Fish oil supplies fatty acids that support normal skin and coat condition. Supporting coat health may complement a grooming routine, but it does not eliminate normal shedding.

Cats with known fish sensitivities should not use a fish-containing product without veterinary guidance.

Fructooligosaccharides

Fructooligosaccharides, commonly abbreviated as FOS, are prebiotic ingredients. Prebiotics provide a substrate that selected intestinal microorganisms can use.

They are different from probiotics, which are live microorganisms.

Taurine

Taurine is an essential nutrient for cats and must be supplied through their diet. It supports several normal body functions, including vision and heart function.

A hairball paste containing taurine remains a supplementary product and should not replace complete and balanced cat food.

Vitamins and Minerals

The Purebreds formula lists vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12 and E, as well as folic acid and magnesium.

More vitamins are not always better. Follow the recommended amount and consider all supplements your cat receives to avoid unnecessary duplication.

Purebreds Cat Hairball Care Paste Ingredients

According to the product page, the formula includes:

• Glucose syrup

• Malt powder

• Olive oil

• Deep-sea fish oil

• Fructooligosaccharides

• Taurine

• Vitamin A

• Vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B12

• Folic acid

• Vitamin E

• Magnesium

• Chitosan oligosaccharide

Check the physical package before feeding because the package label should be treated as the final source for ingredients and directions.

The product may not be suitable for cats with sensitivities to fish or other listed ingredients.

How to Use Purebreds Cat Hairball Care Paste

The paste can be fed directly or placed on your cat’s food.

The product page provides the following feeding guide:

Initial Use

Give approximately a 5 cm strip once daily for the first three consecutive days.

Regular Hairball Maintenance

Give approximately a 3–5 cm strip two or three times per week.

The appropriate amount may vary with the cat’s body size, coat length and shedding level. Do not exceed the package directions unless your veterinarian recommends it.

Cats Recovering from Illness or Surgery

The product page lists a higher frequency for cats recovering from illness or surgery. Because these cats may have individual medical and nutritional requirements, only use a supplement during recovery after receiving veterinary approval.

Storage

Keep the tube tightly sealed in a cool, dry place. Avoid prolonged exposure to air, heat and direct sunlight.

Check the expiration date and do not use the paste if its color, smell, texture or packaging has changed unexpectedly.

What If My Cat Refuses Hairball Paste?

Some cats will lick paste directly from the tube or your finger, while others may be cautious about a new texture.

You can try:

• Placing a small amount on a familiar plate

• Mixing the recommended amount into a small portion of wet food

• Offering a very small taste before a full serving

• Keeping the feeding experience calm

• Avoiding force-feeding

Do not place paste on a cat’s paw as the first choice. Although this may encourage licking, some cats find it stressful and may spread the product around the home.

If your cat refuses the product consistently, consider grooming and veterinarian-recommended dietary alternatives.

Can Kittens Use Hairball Paste?

The Purebreds product page describes the formula as suitable for different feline life stages, including kittens.

However, very young kittens generally produce fewer hairballs than experienced adult groomers. Vomiting, appetite loss or diarrhea in a kitten should receive prompt veterinary attention because kittens can become dehydrated quickly.

Confirm the appropriate starting age and amount on the physical package or with your veterinarian before giving the product to a kitten.

Can Hairball Paste Be Used Every Day?

The Purebreds feeding guide uses daily feeding for an initial three-day period and less frequent feeding for regular maintenance.

Long-term daily use should not automatically be necessary for every cat. Follow the product directions and monitor your cat’s stool, appetite and behavior.

If loose stool develops after starting the paste, the product page recommends pausing use and restarting at a lower amount only after stool returns to normal. Contact a veterinarian if diarrhea continues or other symptoms appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my cat keep getting hairballs?

Common reasons include a long or dense coat, seasonal shedding and frequent grooming. Excessive grooming can also be associated with fleas, allergies, skin irritation, pain or stress. Recurring hairballs should be discussed with a veterinarian.

Do hairballs come out in a cat’s stool?

Most swallowed hair normally passes through the digestive tract and leaves the body in the stool. A hairball forms when some fur collects in the stomach instead of passing through normally.

Does hairball paste dissolve hairballs?

Hairball paste should not be described as dissolving hair. Hair is made from keratin and is not easily digested. These products are generally intended to help swallowed fur move through the gastrointestinal tract.

How often should I give my cat hairball paste?

Follow the directions for the specific product. Purebreds Cat Hairball Care Paste recommends a 5 cm strip once daily for the first three days, followed by a 3–5 cm strip two or three times per week for regular maintenance.

Is coughing always a sign of a hairball?

No. Coughing or repeated hacking without producing hair can be associated with respiratory conditions such as feline asthma. Record a video of the episode if possible and show it to your veterinarian.

When should I worry about a hairball?

Seek veterinary attention for repeated vomiting, unproductive retching, loss of appetite, lethargy, abdominal discomfort, constipation, inability to keep down water or any significant change in behavior.

A Complete Hairball Care Routine

The best hairball routine addresses both sides of the problem:

1. Reduce the amount of loose fur your cat swallows.

2. Support the normal passage of swallowed hair through the digestive tract.

Regular brushing, adequate hydration, appropriate nutrition and careful monitoring are the foundation. A properly labeled hairball paste may provide additional support for suitable cats.

Explore Purebreds Cat Hairball Care Paste

Veterinary disclaimer: This article provides general educational information and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. Purebreds Cat Hairball Care Paste is a nutritional product and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. Contact a veterinarian if your cat has recurring vomiting, unproductive retching, appetite loss, constipation, breathing difficulty or other concerning symptoms.

References and Further Reading

• Cornell Feline Health Center: The Danger of Hairballs

• Merck Veterinary Manual: Managing Hairballs in Cats

• VCA Animal Hospitals: Hairball Remedies for Cats