The items mentioned below are not toxic to cats, but are products that pose significant health threats to cats when ingested, including death. The list is composed of commonly seen foreign bodies that frequently require surgical extraction from cats' stomachs, intestines, or other anatomical locations. If you suspect that your cat may have ingested any of these materials (or others not listed here), you should seek veterinary care for your cat immediately.
Gastrointestinal (GI) Foreign Bodies & GI Linear Foreign Bodies:
Gastrointestinal foreign bodies are inappropriate (non-food) objects that are ingested, and linear foreign bodies are string-like objects that are ingested. Foreign bodies are occasionally passed through the GI tract along with food and exit the body harmlessly in feces. However, many foreign bodies become lodged in the outflow tract of the stomach, or somewhere further along the intestinal tract, where they cause obstruction or partial obstruction of the intestines, necessitating endoscopic or surgical removal.
Cats do not typically suffer from as many obstructive GI foreign bodies as dogs, because generally they do not chew on as many non-food items as dogs. However, cats are notorious for ingesting linear foreign bodies because of their play behavior tendencies, and linear foreign bodies are incredibly dangerous, and often fatal.
Cats will commonly swallow linear objects such as thread, string, or yarn, and their intestines are typically incapable of passing them through their systems. Sometimes threads (or other linear objects) will catch underneath cats' tongues causing a deep laceration where the thread is lodged, while the rest of the thread that is not anchored to the tongue gets swallowed into the gastrointestinal tract.
The intestines will become 'accordioned' or bunched up (plicated) on the thread, and then become quickly compromised and lacerated, leaking intestinal contents and bacteria into the abdomen, and sending the cat into shock. Death ensues in an extremely painful manner unless emergency veterinary care is sought immediately.
Symptoms of a linear foreign body, such as a needle and thread, include poor appetite, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and depression. If you suspect, or know, that your cat has ingested a foreign body call your veterinarian or closest veterinary emergency clinic right away.
Below are some of the most common linear foreign bodies seen in cats:
Needle and Thread - A very attractive combination to cats; what cat doesn't love to play with small shiny objects, and long stringy items?
A needle and thread is one of the most common linear foreign bodies that cats ingest, and they are extremely dangerous. Needles that get swallowed will often lodge in the stomach, or may make it further down the GI tract into the small intestine.
Always clean up carefully after yourself if doing sewing, knitting, crafts, and any other activities that create tempting foreign bodies for your cat!
Yarn, String, Fishing Line - All of these commonly used materials are very tempting for cats to play with and chew on.
Many cats will actually swallow these materials, and like the needle and thread, they quickly become life threatening linear foreign bodies that require surgical extraction.
Dental Floss - Dental floss is a common feline foreign body.
Always throw dental floss away into a covered garbage bin, or better yet, don't use traditional dental floss if you own a cat! Use the new dental picks, or dental wands! They are both convenient for you and safe for your cat.
Butcher's Twine - Butcher's twine is the cotton string used for tying up meat products, and this is a particularly type of linear foreign body to see in cats because the twine is tasty and infused with meat juices!
Make sure that when you unwrap your meat and remove the twine that you throw it away in a covered garbage that is inside a cupboard that your cat cannot access.
Rubber Bands, Hair Elastics - Common items that cats love to bat around and play with: dangerous when swallowed.
Holiday Linear Foreign Bodies (Tinsel, Ribbon, Easter Basket Grass) - A beautiful addition to any Christmas tree, tinsel is unfortunately also very attractive to cats, and some kitties may go so far as to ingest tinsel; consider alternative decorations rather than risking your cat's safety over the holidays.
Be very careful about collecting ribbons and Easter basket grass into the garbage right away during the holidays. Your cat may be having the time of his or her life playing with these items, but if swallowed these items could also cost them their life.
To read more of Dr. Ko's articles, please visit http://www.catdoctorko.com
The information provided in this article is for educational reference purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice and care of your veterinarian, nor medical diagnoses or treatments. All questions regarding your cat's health should be discussed with your veterinarian.
