Shannon McKinzie
- Apr 20
- 3 min read

What To Do If Your Cat Is Getting Hairballs

Discussing How To Manage Your Cat’s Hairballs In Honor Of National Hairball Awareness Day

One of the most underrated educational pet themed holidays is known as National Hairball Awareness Day. This holiday occurs every year on April 28th and aims to help cats and cat owners deal with the problem of hairballs. This article will cover everything you need to know about hairballs, why cats get them, how to manage hairballs, and the holiday itself.

History Of National Hairball Awareness Day

National Hairball Awareness Day was originally founded in 2006 by the National Museum of Health and Medicine (N.M.H.M.). The N.M.H.M. created this awareness based holiday to remind cat owners to pay closer attention to their cats’ health and well being. As pet owners, it is our responsibility to manage our pets’ health in ways they can’t such as vaccinations, diet, and medications.

What Is A Hairball?

Cat hairballs are actually a natural occurrence. According to Cornell University, a hairball is the by-product of good grooming. When a cat grooms themselves, they end up swallowing a lot of the dead hair that comes loose. This dead hair is indigestible and most of it will eventually pass through the digestive system and be pooped out. However, some of this dead hair remains in the stomach and gradually accumulates into a wet clump known as a hairball.

Are Hairballs Good Or Bad?

Chucking up hairballs is both common and natural for most cats, especially long haired breeds. Most cats tend to produce a hairball once a week on average. Although hairballs are natural, they can also be a sign of an underlying condition.

What To Look For:

If your cat is having multiple episodes of retching, but not producing any hairballs, this could be a sign of a more serious problem. It is possible that the hairball has passed from the stomach to the digestive tract and is creating a life-threatening blockage. It could also be a red flag for other health complications such as asthma or a respiratory issue. Other symptoms of this include lethargic behavior and no appetite. If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat, then contact your local veterinarian immediately.

How To Deal With Hairballs

The best way to deal with your cats’ hairballs is to take preventative measures. We encourage you to try brushing and combing your cat regularly. Even if it’s just once a week, it will cut back on the amount of dead hair that your cat accidentally ingests and may turn into a hairball. This will be especially helpful for long-haired breeds of cats as they tend to produce more loose hair. For a more comprehensive guide on the best cat brushes on the market, check out TheSprucePets.com.

Celebrating The Holiday

Here at Cowtown Cat Cuddlers, we treat our pets like family. When it comes to our furry family’s health, nothing is more important. This April 28th, we encourage you to get more involved with your cats’ health by looking for red flags and brushing their fur regularly. Hairballs are a natural occurrence, but should still be observed for signs of an underlying health problem. We hope that April 28th is merely the beginning of you engaging in better habits for your cats’ health and well being.