A little reason to celebrate
National Hairball Awareness Day
Animal · Fun · The last Friday in April
A day about cat hairballs: what they are, why cats get them, and how brushing and a little attention can help keep them rare.
National Hairball Awareness Day falls on Friday, April 30, 2027. That is 185 days away.
A hairball is exactly what it sounds like. Cats groom themselves with rough tongues covered in tiny backward-facing barbs, and those barbs catch loose fur. Most of that fur passes through the digestive system, but some collects in the stomach and eventually comes back up as a damp, tube-shaped clump.
Anyone who lives with a cat knows the sound that comes first. It is a low, rhythmic hacking that seems to happen most often at night, on a rug, near a sock. The hairball itself is usually narrow rather than round, because it gets squeezed on the way out through the esophagus.
Long-haired cats tend to deal with hairballs more than short-haired ones, simply because there is more fur to swallow. Shedding seasons can bring a few more as well. The day falls on the last Friday in April, which lines up nicely with the stretch of spring when many cats are losing their winter coats.
Marking it is mostly a matter of attention. Regular brushing removes loose fur before a cat can swallow it, and many cats come to enjoy the routine once it becomes familiar. Owners also keep an eye out, since a cat that hacks often without producing anything, or seems unwell, is better off seeing a veterinarian.
A soft brush and five quiet minutes on the couch can mean one less surprise on the hallway floor.
Ways to celebrate
- Brush your cat gently for a few minutes, following the direction of the fur.
- Make sure your cat has fresh water available throughout the day.
- Look up which brushes or combs suit your cat's coat length.
- Share a photo of your cat mid-grooming with friends.
- Ask your veterinarian about hairballs at your cat's next checkup.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday, April 24 |
| 2027 | Friday, April 30 |
| 2028 | Friday, April 28 |
| 2029 | Friday, April 27 |
| 2030 | Friday, April 26 |
Also on April 30
- National Oatmeal Cookie Day
- National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day
- National Arbor Day
- National Bubble Tea Day
- National Raisin Day
- National Bugs Bunny Day
- National Honesty Day
- National Mr. Potato Head Day
- National Military Brats Day
Categories: Animal daysFun days