When a hairball is stuck in a cat’s esophagus or stomach, the animal may launch into bouts of coughing in an effort to cough up the hairball. Hairballs are an important source of discomfort for cats. They also pose potential risks by blocking the passage of food through the digestive tract.

Hairballs are formed when a cat swallows hairs while grooming himself. Since hairs cannot be digested easily, they can form a tight knot inside the stomach. Sometimes, the hairballs can get lodge along any part of the digestive tract and may obstruct the normal passage of food, thereby needing expensive surgery to remove. Hairballs are also known to cause painful constipation.

You will know that your kitty has hairballs when you see any of the following signs:

• Constipation, with stools containing some hairs
• Cylindrical masses on the floor; these are actually tightly knotted hairs
• Frequent bouts of coughing, particularly after a meal
• Loss of appetite
• Dry, unkempt hair
• Depression

Ask your Marietta, GA vet for more information about dealing with hairballs in cats. Check out this site.