Gagging/Hairball?

I've noticed that sometimes Zoe will do this odd gagging noise, like a really squeaky cough. She only gags once, then she does her thing. Nothing comes out, but I've noticed that she only does this within about 3 minutes after she was cleaning herself. Does this incline towards a hairball? We've had no problems yet... I'm not too worried, but it does spook me when it happens all of a sudden. Is this normal?

Hmm...the fact that it usually happens after cleaning herself makes me think it is hairballs, because the same thing happens to my cat. I asked my vet about it during his annual checkup and she agreed it was probably hairballs- but that was after fully examining him. She didn't find any evidence of asthma (which can have similar symptoms) or anything else wrong. Is Zoe acting normal in every other way? Eating, litterbox habits, energy level, etc.? You could try giving her a hairball remedy from the pet store, and see if it makes any difference. Or you might want to consult your vet for peace of mind, if it's really worrying you.

I have 4 cats and I've noticed this also, these episodes were reduced significantly after I started brushing them. I try to do it every other day. I also give them some hairball remedy regularly.

Zoe is otherwise acting normal; she is eating normally (my does she have an appetite!), drinking plenty of water, she is using the litterbox normally, she poos and urinates every day, she is just as full of energy as ever, no personality changes, and she doesn't seem to have trouble breathing. She only does this withing a few minutes after she is done licking herself. On Wednesday I am going in and we'll pick up a shedding brush, I've been wanting to do that. As far as hairball remedies... She hasn't coughed anything up yet, so I don't really want to put her on any sort of medication unless she really is coughing it up. But I really doubt it's asthma, as she only does it that one time right after grooming herself, and she'll run hard and play and not have any other troubles. I'll just groom her regularly and watch for hairy monsters suddenly appearing in my room! Thank-you for your reponses!