Maine Coon Blog Blog Post 8/7/2025 Maine Coon Hairballs: How to Prevent Them and When It's an Emergency (Plus a Rare but Deadly Complication You Should Know About) Maine Coons are adored for their majestic, fluffy coats—but with all that fur comes a not-so-glamorous problem: hairballs. While the occasional hairball is expected, frequent vomiting or unproductive hacking could point to something much more dangerous. In this post, we’ll cover: What causes hairballs in Maine Coons Natural ways to prevent hairballs Signs of a medical emergency The hidden danger of intussusception How untreated hairballs can lead to death What Causes Hairballs in Maine Coons? Because Maine Coons have thick, long fur, they ingest a lot of hair during grooming. Their barbed tongues trap loose fur, which is swallowed and usually passed through the digestive system. But when too much hair builds up, it can clump together and form a trichobezoar, or hairball. Occasional vomiting of hairballs is normal—but if your cat is vomiting frequently or unproductively, this may signal a more serious issue. Natural Hairball Prevention for Maine Coons Here’s how to reduce your cat’s risk of developing frequent or dangerous hairballs—without synthetic gels or commercial hairball formulas: 1. Daily Brushing Brushing your Maine Coon daily is one of the best ways to minimize hair ingestion. This is especially critical during seasonal shedding periods. 2. Add Natural Fiber Mix a small spoonful of plain canned pumpkin into meals (check with your vet first). Fiber helps move ingested hair through the digestive system. 3. Hydration Support Cats are notoriously poor water drinkers. Offer a cat water fountain or mix water into wet food to support smooth digestion and help hair pass more easily. Hairballs Gone Wrong: Signs of a Blockage Hairballs that aren’t passed or vomited can grow large enough to block the digestive tract. This is a serious, often life-threatening emergency. Warning Signs of a Hairball Blockage: Repeated gagging or hacking with no hairball expelled Sudden loss of appetite Vomiting or dry heaving Constipation or straining in the litter box Lethargy or hiding Swollen or painful belly Diarrhea or very small, dry stools Intussusception: A Rare but Deadly Complication In some cases, especially with repeated vomiting or GI irritation, a more severe condition called intussusception can develop. What Is Intussusception? Intussusception occurs when a part of the intestine telescopes into itself, like a collapsing tube. This blocks food and blood flow—and without immediate intervention, the affected section of the intestine can die off, leading to sepsis and death. What Causes It? Chronic irritation from hairballs Vomiting or straining Severe GI inflammation or parasites Sometimes it occurs spontaneously, especially in kittens Symptoms of Intussusception: Vomiting (often without hairballs) Bloody or mucus-filled stool Sudden, extreme lethargy Crying or whining in pain Collapsing or shock-like symptoms This is a true emergency. If intussusception is suspected, your cat needs surgery immediately. Delaying even a few hours can be fatal. Can a Hairball Kill a Cat? Yes—if a hairball leads to a full gastrointestinal obstruction, or triggers complications like intussusception, it can be fatal. Deaths from hairballs are rare but preventable. Early intervention saves lives, and knowing the warning signs makes all the difference. Hairballs are common in long-haired cats like the Maine Coon—but frequent vomiting, straining, or lethargy should never be ignored. With regular brushing, natural fiber support, and close observation, you can protect your cat from both minor and life-threatening complications. Bonus Tip: Make brushing a daily ritual. Your Maine Coon will enjoy the bonding time, and you’ll cut down on both hairballs and vet visits. Making it a positive by making the event short, followed by treats or play time. Have questions about Maine Coon hairballs, grooming, or digestive issues? Please feel free to contact me. In the event of an emergency, contact your Vet immediately

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Maine Coon Blog Blog Post 8/7/2025

Maine Coon Hairballs: How to Prevent Them and When It's an Emergency (Plus a Rare but Deadly Complication You Should Know About)

Maine Coons are adored for their majestic, fluffy coats—but with all that fur comes a not-so-glamorous problem: hairballs. While the occasional hairball is expected, frequent vomiting or unproductive hacking could point to something much more dangerous.

In this post, we’ll cover:

1.What causes hairballs in Maine Coons
2.Natural ways to prevent hairballs
3.Signs of a medical emergency
4.The hidden danger of intussusception
5.How untreated hairballs can lead to death

What Causes Hairballs in Maine Coons?

Because Maine Coons have thick, long fur, they ingest a lot of hair during grooming. Their barbed tongues trap loose fur, which is swallowed and usually passed through the digestive system. But when too much hair builds up, it can clump together and form a trichobezoar, or hairball.

Occasional vomiting of hairballs is normal—but if your cat is vomiting frequently or unproductively, this may signal a more serious issue.

Natural Hairball Prevention for Maine Coons

Here’s how to reduce your cat’s risk of developing frequent or dangerous hairballs—without synthetic gels or commercial hairball formulas:

1. Daily Brushing

Brushing your Maine Coon daily is one of the best ways to minimize hair ingestion. This is especially critical during seasonal shedding periods.

2. Add Natural Fiber

Mix a small spoonful of plain canned pumpkin into meals (check with your vet first). Fiber helps move ingested hair through the digestive system.

3. Hydration Support

Cats are notoriously poor water drinkers. Offer a cat water fountain or mix water into wet food to support smooth digestion and help hair pass more easily.

Hairballs Gone Wrong: Signs of a Blockage

Hairballs that aren’t passed or vomited can grow large enough to block the digestive tract. This is a serious, often life-threatening emergency.

Warning Signs of a Hairball Blockage:

Repeated gagging or hacking with no hairball expelled

Sudden loss of appetite

Vomiting or dry heaving

Constipation or straining in the litter box

Lethargy or hiding

Swollen or painful belly

Diarrhea or very small, dry stools

Intussusception: A Rare but Deadly Complication

In some cases, especially with repeated vomiting or GI irritation, a more severe condition called intussusception can develop.

What Is Intussusception?

Intussusception occurs when a part of the intestine telescopes into itself, like a collapsing tube. This blocks food and blood flow—and without immediate intervention, the affected section of the intestine can die off, leading to sepsis and death.

What Causes It?

Chronic irritation from hairballs

Vomiting or straining

Severe GI inflammation or parasites

Sometimes it occurs spontaneously, especially in kittens

Symptoms of Intussusception:

Vomiting (often without hairballs)

Bloody or mucus-filled stool

Sudden, extreme lethargy

Crying or whining in pain

Collapsing or shock-like symptoms

This is a true emergency. If intussusception is suspected, your cat needs surgery immediately. Delaying even a few hours can be fatal.

Can a Hairball Kill a Cat?

Yes—if a hairball leads to a full gastrointestinal obstruction, or triggers complications like intussusception, it can be fatal.

Deaths from hairballs are rare but preventable. Early intervention saves lives, and knowing the warning signs makes all the difference.

Hairballs are common in long-haired cats like the Maine Coon—but frequent vomiting, straining, or lethargy should never be ignored. With regular brushing, natural fiber support, and close observation, you can protect your cat from both minor and life-threatening complications.

Bonus Tip:

Make brushing a daily ritual. Your Maine Coon will enjoy the bonding time, and you’ll cut down on both hairballs and vet visits. Making it a positive by making the event short, followed by treats or play time.

Have questions about Maine Coon hairballs, grooming, or digestive issues? Please feel free to contact me. In the event of an emergency, contact your Vet immediately

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