If you live with a cat, chances are you’ve heard that unmistakable sound in the middle of the night — the dramatic retching that sends owners scrambling to save the carpet. Moments later, your cat proudly walks away leaving behind what can only be described as a soggy tube of fur. Hairballs are often treated as a normal part of owning a cat, but while the occasional hairball is expected, frequent hairballs may be your cat’s way of telling you something isn’t quite right.

Cats are meticulous groomers. Their rough tongues act like tiny combs, catching loose hair every time they lick their coat. Most of that hair passes harmlessly through the digestive tract and is eliminated in the litter tray without anyone ever noticing. Occasionally, however, some of the hair stays in the stomach, where it tangles together to form a hairball.

Long-haired breeds such as Persians and Maine Coons are particularly prone to hairballs, but any cat can develop them. Here in Bermuda, cats spend part of the year shedding heavily as the weather changes, meaning we often see an increase in hairball problems at specific times of year. Older cats also tend to develop more hairballs simply because they spend more time grooming to soothe their aches and pains.

An occasional hairball every few weeks or months is usually nothing to worry about. However, if your cat is bringing them up every few days, repeatedly retching without producing anything, losing weight, becoming lethargic or going off their food, it is time for a veterinary examination. Hairballs can sometimes become lodged in the stomach or intestines, creating a blockage that can quickly become a life-threatening emergency requiring surgery.

Excessive grooming can also point towards an underlying problem. Fleas remain common in Bermuda throughout the year, and even a single flea bite can cause intense itching in sensitive cats. Skin allergies, pain from arthritis, stress, anxiety or even boredom may lead a cat to groom excessively, increasing the amount of hair swallowed.

Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce hairball formation. Regular brushing is one of the simplest and most effective. Removing loose hair before your cat swallows it dramatically reduces the amount entering the digestive system. This is especially important for long-haired cats and during seasonal shedding.

There are also specially formulated hairball diets that contain increased dietary fibre to help move swallowed hair naturally through the intestines. Dietary fibre supplements and hairball treats may also be helpful for some cats.

Hairball lubricant gels are another option. These tasty pastes coat the swallowed hair, allowing it to pass more easily through the digestive tract rather than accumulating in the stomach. While effective, they should be used according to your veterinarian’s advice rather than as a long-term substitute for addressing the underlying cause.

Most importantly, don’t assume repeated hairballs are simply “what cats do”. If your cat is vomiting frequently, even if hair is present, there may be another medical condition hiding behind the symptoms.

A hairball on the kitchen floor may be unpleasant, but it is often your cat’s way of telling you something. The trick is knowing when to simply reach for the paper towels, and when to pick up the phone to your vet instead.

• Lucy Richardson graduated from Edinburgh University in 2005. She started CedarTree Vets in August 2012 with her husband, Mark. They live at the practice with their two children, Ray and Stella, and their dog and two cats. She is also the FEI national head veterinarian for Bermuda