Has your cat ever had hairballs after a traumatic incident (such as moving) ?

Question

My cat was very upset for weeks after we moved. Now, about one month later, he barfed up a huge hairball. He usually does not do this. The only time he has ever gotten sick in the past was when he ate too many plant leaves (we no longer have the plants; the vet did a full panel of tests on him to ensure the plants did not harm him).

So, has anyone seen this?

Answer 1

no mine hasnt lol but its from the cat l*****g her self to much  i tihnk thats the problem dont ask me

Answer 2

well i have two cats and i  moved from polluted brooklyn all the way to super clean staten island and  both my cat well sick because they have to adjust to there new place my cat had a hair ball the first week

keep some cat grass around it stops the hair ball almost by the next week also

Answer 3

Cats are very much creatures of habit. Mine have hidden for up to 3 days after a move. They've never had hairball problems afterwards though, unless they were already ill.

Admittedly, your kitty is going to be different from mine. and since your kitty reacts to stress by shedding, hairballs can be expected.

Answer 4

While hairballs are not in and of themselves a sign of stress, the loss of hair can be the result of stress.  In humans, after a hair dies, it takes about 2 months for it to fall out.  When I was in training for psychiatry, a woman came to the clinic complaining of unexpected hair loss.  She had had all the medical tests, and there was nothing wrong.  I remembered this fact of hair life and asked her if something had happened to her about 2 months before she started losing hair.  She started crying and said she had been assaulted.  Once she started getting counseling, the hair loss resolved.

I tell you this to show you a clear example of how hair loss can be the result of a stressful event or situation.  If such thing holds for one hair-bearing species, why not for others? Your cat may well have been traumatized by the move and surrounding events, and excess hairballs may be the result of subsequent stress and extra-than-normal hair loss.  Good luck.

Answer 5

Its not that he is upset about moving he could be grooming himself more often then usual and be shedding at the same time. The hair is not digestible so it is ok he is not sick or nothing.

Answer 6

Any trauma, whether physical or mental - will cause a cat to groom consistently...which means they are swallowing more hair than usual.  Please make sure you get some hairball relief from PetSmart or PetCo and help things along.  This is normal for a cat.  You must let him puke up the hair, otherwise it can cause a blockage in it's intestines and cause him to have to have an operation to remove it.  If you can, get a check up at the new vet - that way you get to know the vet, the vet gets to know you and your cat - and he gets a check up.

Answer 7

hairballs alone are not a sign of stress....most cats have hairballs due to grooming.  Their tongues are barded to help with grooming so they consume a lot of fur.  In return they 'cough' this har back up as hairballs, or if your lucky they pass it in their poo and you may just not have noticed it

However, if this is a new thing, then it may indicate your cat is grrooming more than usual, which may be a sign of stress.

My advice is to keep an eye on the situation.  Try to offer the cat reassurance, if possible have familiar things around such as blankets or toys that he would have had in the old house.  Try to ensure he is comfortable in the new house.  It shouldn't really take him long to get used to his new surroundings so long as he feels safe.