Cats Vomiting Fur: Is It Uncomfortable?

It's important to understand that these fur balls cannot be absorbed by the body, and they cannot be excreted through feces either. As a result, they naturally form into clumps. If the clumps are small, they can often be vomited up. However, once they grow larger, they can lead to a condition known as trichobezoars. As cats grow older, they may experience these symptoms more frequently!

When cats regurgitate fur balls, it's often accompanied by symptoms like a lack of energy and a decreased appetite, all of which are signs of trichobezoars. Normally, a small amount of fur regurgitation is a normal process of hair elimination and should not cause discomfort. But if a cat is struggling and appears to be expelling fur with great effort, it's a sign that the cat has ingested too much fur, indicating a trichobezoar condition.

How to Determine if a Cat Has Trichobezoars:

Constipation

As these hairs accumulate in the intestines, they can interfere with the cat's digestion, leading to constipation. If your cat's feces are dry and contain hair fibers, and it takes a long time to defecate, it's a cause for concern.

Decreased Appetite

When fur balls accumulate, they can cause a bloated feeling in the stomach, which can lead to a loss of appetite. While some measures can be taken at home to prevent trichobezoars, it's crucial to be vigilant.

Preventive Measures for Trichobezoars:

Feeding Cat Grass or Cat Grass Supplements

Feeding your cat cat grass or cat grass supplements can help them expel fur from their stomachs. Cat grass is rich in fiber and can encourage the cat to regurgitate fur balls that have formed in their stomach. For cats with mild trichobezoars, simply feeding cat grass can be effective. If your cat is not interested in cat grass, you can offer them other foods high in long fibers to achieve a similar effect.

Feeding Trichobezoar Paste

Some owners may not have the time to grow cat grass due to work commitments, or their cats may not be fond of it. In such cases, feeding trichobezoar paste can be a solution. This paste can help soften the fur balls in the cat's stomach, making it easier for them to be vomited up or excreted. It can also be used preventively.

Grooming Your Cat Regularly

Cats spend a lot of time grooming themselves, which can lead to the ingestion of loose fur. Regular grooming can help remove dead fur and reduce the amount of fur that the cat ingests. It's recommended to groom your cat once or twice a day, especially during shedding seasons, and to dispose of the fur immediately to prevent accidental ingestion.

Ensuring Proper Hydration

Regular water intake can help prevent constipation. If you have more time, you can also engage in interactive play with your cat to increase its activity level, which can help with digestion and the timely elimination of fur from the body.

Identifying the Cause of Vomiting in Cats

Cat Vomit

Cat vomit that is watery, sticky, and slightly frothy, possibly with a hint of brownish bile, indicates that the cat has been fasting for too long, leading to excessive stomach acid production. The solution is to feed smaller, more frequent meals to balance the digestive system.

Regurgitation of Recently Eaten Food

For example, if the cat has vomited whole kibble or long strips of meat, it suggests that the cat ate too quickly and may have poor digestion. It's advisable to feed your cat probiotics to help regulate its gastrointestinal system.