Are these signs of hairball?

I just saw my tabby repeatedly swallowed hard with his neck extended then stopped, and made a motion as if he was going to throw up but didn't, and went back to swallowing hard for another couple of times. For a few times, he would lick his lips before swallowing. However, his swallowing didn't seem to faze him at all, after it stopped, he went right back to "I want to play!" mode and started chasing his toys. He also has been grooming much more than usual these two days. Not obsessively, but often. I've never seen my cats throw up a hairball before, had only occasionally found clear saliva on the floor with some hair in it. Should I be worried about this or take him to the vet? (He just recovered from heart failure so I'm paranoid about every single thing.) Thanks!

I would consult your vet, but IMO it sounds more like asthma. Since he is swallowing hard a few times, he could be trying to get air. I hope he feels better!

Thanks! He was diagnosed with asthma when he had the heart failure, but his respiratory rate is so far normal. I really hope it's just a hairball. I'll be giving the vet a call in the morning.

From my own experience, when my guys get hairballs, they lick their lips and immediately hack it up. But of course each kitty can vary. Do you keep any laxatone or anything on hand to help him maybe pass it, if it is in fact a hairball, maybe it will help it come out the other end. Lol

Let us know!

It sounds like it could be a hairball alright?!. My Jack swallows hard now and again, and it's usually after he's groomed himself so it could be fur?. But when he's ready to be sick or hack a furball up he licks his lips, drools for a bit, sometimes lets out a horrible howl then starts hacking

He's also just had a  clear liquid with a bit fur in like yours as well

Since your kitty already has asthma and a heart condition. I would not wait and just hope it is a hairball. A trip to the vet is the best. If there were no heart issues/asthma then I would think you could wait and it most likely is something he ate or a hairball.

I called up the vet, described to him what happened and asked if I should bring my cat in. He said he honestly don't know why my cat did the swallowing, and probably wouldn't know even with examination(and as long as his breathing is not affected). The vet advised to just closely monitor him and if it happened again, record it. He also suggested it could be a hairball but he wouldn't know because he didn't see how it happened.

I'm a bit frustrated.

Sounds like a hairball to me.    My cat Shadow (RIP) was always coughing them up. She would do the same thing with her neck when she was trying to get one up.