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My cat keeps throwing up hairballs with clear fluid. Is this normal?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Female | spayed | 7 years and 11 months old | 7.7 lbs

Hi my cat has had hairball 2 days in a row but the problem is that with the hairball also came some fluid, the fluid looked clean. She usually just puke the hairball. Is it something I should be concerned about?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Tomasz Wnuk

Veterinarian

Published on May 3rd, 2020

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It is normal for cats to vomit a hairball with some saliva or stomach content. There is nothing to worry about. You can get an oral paste that helps the hairballs pass. These products can be purchased over-the-counter online, from pet shops or at the vets. We often use Cat Lax and Laxatone but I don't know if that is available in Sweden. If not, I am sure there is something similar available on your market.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Tomasz Wnuk
Veterinarian
Published on April 27th, 2020
Yes, it is not uncommon to see a vomit with food and small hairball(s). If Apolo often vomits hairballs, you should consider getting him medication that helps to pass the haiballs. You can try Cat Lax or Laxatone by Vetoquinol. Both available on Amazon.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Amy S. Eutsey, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on May 14th, 2018
That is exactly how all four of my cats behave when they have a hair ball. First the big hair ball comes up, then a second little bit of vomit afterward. Monitor Kiki for continued vomiting over the next 24-48 hours and seek veterinarian help if it continues, but what you have described is pretty typical. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on October 13th, 2020
That looks like a fur ball. Sometimes cats can get fur balls and throw them up. I'd try brushing Mango every day to cut down on the amount of fur he sheds to prevent fur balls from happening. I hope this helps.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Is my longhaired cat's frequent hairball vomiting normal or serious?

It is pretty normal to regurgitate hair balls once in two weeks. Keep feeding the Hairball prevention formula. It actually helps with eliminating most of the hair via the feces, but a long haired cat, especially if she is a meticulate groomer, just may ingest too many hairs for this to solely happen and therefore she has hair balls to get rid off also.You can also get some hairball remedy (a malt and oil paste) from your vet or a petshop, which also helps with the elimination of hairballs. If you brush your kitty often , she will ingest less hair as well.

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My long-haired cat is throwing up hairballs and food. Is it normal?

While vomiting hair occasionally is normal for some cats the increased frequency you have described is concerning. It is possible at Midnight is grooming more due to a seasonal coat shedding or she may have some underlying intestinal irritation contributing to the vomiting. Cats that hunt are at higher risk for parasites and this can also contribute to vomiting. If the increased frequency of vomiting continues or if you notice any other signs such as decreased appetite, lethargy or weight loss, I would recommend that you have her seen by your veterinarian. They may recommend checking a stool sample for parasites and possibly blood work to rule out other potential causes for vomiting such as kidney disease or thyroid problems.

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Food & Nutrition

Cat vomits hairball and colored fluid after treats. Should I worry?

She is obviously grooming a lot and therefore ingesting a lot of hairs. It is good for her to either poop out the hair or even regurgitate the hair balls. I think you are doing everything right and I would not change her food regimen. You can help her a bit by combing or brushing her coat and removing loose hair. This would reduce hair ingested. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further. Please take the time to mark this question as helpful or not as it helps us to improve on the quality of our answers to other pet owners. Thank you kindly!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My cats hack like hairballs but swallow them. Is this normal?

Cats often will try to vomit up hairballs. I would try brushing them more frequently, say every other day or at least twice a week to remove most of the hair that they could potentially ingest. You can continue to give them hairball medicine (i.e. Laxatone) or start this if not done so already. As long as they are eating well and not vomiting, then you can continue to monitor them for now. Best wishes with your fur babies. Take care.

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Health & Wellness

Is my cat's vomit bloody after a hairball? Should I worry?

Thanks for the images. It doesn't appear to be blood. Blood in vomitus is usually much darker. That appears to be a mix of chewed or partially digested food, bile and hair. Monitor for continued vomiting, lethargy or loss of appetite. These are symptoms that should be addressed by your veterinarian. Consider a short fast, maybe 12 hours, then offer a bland diet in small, frequent amounts for a day or two. Transition slowly to the regular diet afterwards. If Luna will allow, increase brushing or grooming to decrease the amount of hair ingested. You can also use Laxatone or PetroMalt paste to help her pass hairballs.Find either in the local Petco.

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Food & Nutrition

Why is my cat stinky and throwing up a lot? Could it be hairballs?

Cats vomit more often than other animals. Often it can be from eating too fast or they throw up balls of hair that accumulate in the stomach. The picture looks like a hair ball. As long as Socks is acting normally it is an annoyance but nothing to be concerned about. You can give cat laxative weekly as this will help prevent hair balls. The product you buy in the pet store is flavored so they usually like it. Also there is cat food formulated for hair ball prevention. As far as the odor I'd try to find where it's coming from. Dental problems, ear infections and other things can cause an odor. Ask your veterinarian to check if there is an abnormal odor next time you take him in for an exam. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Socks.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My cat never throws up hairballs. Is this normal for a healthy cat?

What a great question. Consider yourself lucky that you do not have to deal with the complicated and challenging issue of hairballs. Yes it can be normal that your cat does not have hairballs. What that means is that your diet you are giving and the cats lifestyle is conducive to a hairball free life. So keep it up. Have a great day.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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