Why Do Cats Cough Up Hairballs?

Cats like to be clean and can be seen grooming themselves on a regular basis with their tongue. As a result of bathing themselves with their mouths, sometimes their fur will end up being ingested. Typically, this is pretty harmless, but occasionally, it a hairball can get stuck in the cat’s intestines and form a blockage that can lead to more complications. This is why it is important, and a natural reaction, for cats to cough up hairballs.

If you are concerned about your cat coughing up hairballs, there are a few ways that you can help prevent it from happening, or at least decrease the chances of it recurring often.

Why do cats cough up hairballs?

• Regular Grooming
  If you can make it a point to groom your cat daily and brush away the bulk of the loose hair, then less hair will end up in your cat’s stomach and you will drastically decrease the chances of your cat ingesting and coughing up hairballs.
• Hairball Diet
  Since coughing up hairballs is a very common issue for cats, there are cat food brands that offer special formulated cat food designed specifically to prevent hairballs. Be sure that the one you choose has ample nutrients though.
• High Fiber Treat
  You can try giving your cat a high fiber treat such as canned pumpkin to prevent him or her from coughing up hairballs.
• Gel Or Butter
  A couple other common remedies is to give your cat a little butter a couple times a week or sometimes a little petroleum-based gel.

It’s important to consult your vet before making any changes to your cat’s diet. Your vet may also have detailed specifics on how to introduce any changes that you might be making.