Hairballs in cats: is vomiting normal?
8-year-old Persian cat that has vomited hairballs two or three times a month for a year, despite brushing and malt paste. It has lost some weight. The owner believes it is normal “because it is long-haired”.
Which statement is correct?
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A. It is normal in long-haired cats; increasing malt paste and brushing is enough
Cats groom a lot, but a healthy gut passes hair in the faeces. Frequent hairball vomiting should not be considered normal, especially with weight loss.
B. The cause is always food allergy; a hydrolysed diet will solve the problem
Food allergy is one possible cause (through pruritus or enteropathy), but not the only one. Other enteropathies and causes of overgrooming must also be ruled out.
C. Exploratory laparotomy to remove gastric trichobezoars is indicated
Surgery is only considered if a trichobezoar causes obstruction. It is not the management of a cat with chronic intermittent vomiting.
D. Frequent hairball vomiting suggests a motility disorder or chronic enteropathy (or overgrooming due to pruritus or pain) and warrants investigation
Correct. Many of these cats have chronic enteropathy (inflammatory or small-cell lymphoma), especially if they lose weight. Investigate with bloods, T4, cobalamin, ultrasound and, where appropriate, biopsies.
lightbulb Key takeaway
In cats, chronic vomiting (of hairballs or otherwise) more than once or twice a month is not normal, and weight loss makes it a priority. Also check the skin: pruritus and lick alopecia increase hair ingestion.
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Updated: October 31, 2026 · Educational content for veterinary professionals. It does not replace current clinical guidelines or the judgement of the attending veterinarian.