Skip to content
PetariumPetarium

Digestive health

Hairballs in Cats: When to Worry

Occasional hairballs can happen, but frequent vomiting is not normal and deserves a vet check.

By Dr Hana LindqvistVeterinary review: Dr Elena Marsh4 min readPublished 2026-09-29Updated 2026-09-29
Veterinarian gently examining a dog in a bright clinic

Why they happen

Cats swallow hair while grooming. Most passes through; some is brought back up.

Reducing hairballs

  • Brush regularly, especially long-haired cats
  • Encourage drinking and wet food
  • Ask your vet about fibre-enriched diets

Not always 'just hairballs'

Vets increasingly regard frequent vomiting, even of hair, as a possible sign of gut disease or over-grooming from pain, itch or stress.

Emergency signs

Repeated retching with nothing coming up, a painful belly, or not eating can mean a blockage.

Dog and cat body condition progression from underweight to obese
Body condition is assessed by touch as well as appearance. Ask your veterinary team to score your individual pet.

References

  1. Vomiting in cats — International Cat Care