Veterinary Assistant Practice Exam 2025 - Free Veterinary Assistant Practice Questions and Study Guide

Hairballs are indeed a common cause of vomiting in cats, primarily due to their grooming habits. Cats have barbed tongues that pull out loose fur from their coats, which they then swallow. While most of the hair passes through the digestive system without issue, some can accumulate in the stomach, forming a hairball. When these hairballs become too large or difficult to pass, they can trigger vomiting in an effort to expel the obstruction.

This phenomenon is particularly common in cats with longer fur or those that groom themselves more frequently. Additionally, hairball-related vomiting often occurs in conjunction with episodes of retching or the cat appearing to be uncomfortable before the hairball is expelled.

While other factors such as food allergies, infections, and poisoning can certainly cause vomiting in cats, hairballs are a distinct and prevalent issue primarily related to their natural grooming behavior.