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My cat keeps eating my hair. Is it harmful? How can I prevent it?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 2 years and 3 months old

I have pretty long hair and my cat somehow keeps swallowing long strands of hair. I will find it in his poop and recently he has had some dangly poop that falls out outside the litter box with a long hair attached. Is this as bad as eating string? How can I prevent this without shaving my head? My hair sheds.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Vanessa Yeager DVM MPH

Veterinarian

Published on November 4th, 2017

Hi there and thanks for posting. Hair can cause hairballs and sometimes these can lead to gastrointestinal obstructions in cats. If you are sure it is your hair he is ingesting, I would make sure you vacuum frequently and make sure your hair isn't around areas where George eats. Giving George some extra fiber in is diet can help. Plain canned pumpkin (not the pie filling) or the paste for hairballs you can find at your pet store can help provide extra bulk and help move things along smoothly in the GI tract and will also help prevent hairball formation I hope this helps and best wishes to you and George!

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    Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on September 10th, 2018

    Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! In long haired cats with severe hair balls where a hairball food (Royal canine, Hills and Purina make a hairball food) and laxatone do not help I recommend taking the cat to the groomer for a shave down. Hairballs can become a blockage. https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/tomlyn-laxatone-tuna-flavored-hairball-lubricant Good luck!

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