My cat never coughs up hairballs – is this normal??

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Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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Hi everyone,

I'm posting this today because I'm a bit concerned.

I have a one-year-old male Persian, and he has NEVER vomited a hairball. Two or three times he's had a bit of a retch as if he was trying to bring one up, but with no luck.

I don't know if it's normal that he doesn't cough them up or if I should be worried. Is there any danger to him?

I should clarify that he's an indoor cat and doesn't go outside, so if he had brought one up, I definitely would've seen it.

He is brushed regularly.

He eats dry food for older kittens which isn't specifically for hairball control. He doesn't have any eating issues or problems with his digestion or his poo.

I did buy a pot of cat grass once, but he never touched it.

Thanks in advance to anyone who replies.

Translated from French
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    • ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Thanks for your replies!

    I ended up calling the vet just to be on the safe side, and they confirmed that as long as he's eating well, going to the toilet normally and there’s no change in his behaviour, there’s nothing to worry about.

    Some of the swallowed fur is passed in their stools, and not all cats necessarily cough up hairballs.

    Translated from French
    M
    Malkia Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi there, I’m no expert on Persians, but if you’re grooming him regularly, surely there’s no reason for him to be swallowing enough fur to vomit up hairballs, am I right? Ask the person you got your cat from for some advice; they’ll probably know better than us!
    Translated from French
    N
    Negrita2 Icon representing the flag French
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    Just a heads-up, Persians are really prone to hairballs and they can cause them quite a lot of tummy pain. They need to be able to get them up, so watch out for a blockage. Make sure you see your vet.
    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Mine doesn't either, every now and then she eats grass and she's sick, but never any hairballs.
    Translated from French

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