Cat hairballs are hair that was not digested, accumulated and coughed out Cats will either pass hair through their digestive system or the hair will build up in their bodies causing the retching and heaving required to get rid of it...

When you say hairballs, pet owners who do not know better will probably think of fluffy balls that cats love to play with; or if ever they have an idea that it is a condition, they would not really think that it is something serious...