🐱🧶 Cat Swallowed String or a Foreign Object — What to Do? Immediate Steps and 2 Things You Must Never Do

🐱🧶 If you saw your cat swallow a piece of string, thread or a small object... don't just wait and assume "it'll probably pass on its own"!

Some foreign objects can pass through the digestive tract by themselves, but others can get stuck and cause a blockage, injury or a perforated intestine.

This is especially true of long, thin items such as string, thread, yarn or ribbon. 🧵⚠️

In this article, the PETMED+ veterinary team explains what to do right away if your cat swallows a foreign object, what you must never do, and which symptoms mean your cat needs to see a vet urgently.

Summary

When a cat swallows string, thread or a small object, don't wait for it to pass on its own, because some items can cause an intestinal blockage, injury to the digestive tract or a perforated intestine. Remember 3 things: what your cat swallowed, roughly how big it was and when it happened. Then contact a veterinarian to help assess the risk.

What you must never do: don't try to make your cat vomit, and if you see string or thread sticking out of the mouth or bottom, never pull it out yourself. If your cat vomits repeatedly, won't eat, becomes lethargic, shows abdominal pain, has difficulty swallowing or has abnormal bowel movements, take them to a vet as soon as possible.

Table of Contents

1. How dangerous is it when a cat swallows a foreign object?

2. What to do right away when your cat swallows a foreign object

3. 2 things you must "never do"

   • Symptoms that mean your cat needs to see a vet urgently

4. 📞 Free Consultation with PETMED+ Veterinarians

5. About the Author

How dangerous is it when a cat swallows a foreign object?

Don't wait for symptoms! Some items can block or injure the digestive tract

Some foreign objects can pass through the digestive tract by themselves, but others can get stuck and cause a blockage, injury or a perforated intestine.

⚠️ For string, thread, yarn, ribbon or sharp objects in particular, contact a veterinarian right away.

💡 Not every item passes on its own. If you suspect your cat swallowed a foreign object, have the risk assessed early.

What to do right away when your cat swallows a foreign object

If you see or suspect that your cat swallowed something, first remember these 3 things 👇

🔎 What did your cat swallow?

📏 Roughly how big was it?

⏰ When did it happen?

Then contact a veterinarian to help assess the risk, because every object carries a different level of danger.

2 things you must "never do"

🚫 Don't try to make your cat vomit.

🚫 If you see string or thread sticking out of the mouth or bottom, never pull it out yourself.

Symptoms that mean your cat needs to see a vet urgently

If your cat shows any of these symptoms, take them to a veterinarian as soon as possible 🏥

• ⚠️ Repeated vomiting

• ⚠️ Not eating

• ⚠️ Lethargy

• ⚠️ Abdominal pain

• ⚠️ Difficulty swallowing

• ⚠️ Abnormal bowel movements

💙 Not every item passes on its own. Knowing early and assessing early helps lower the risk of serious problems later.

📞 Free Consultation with PETMED+ Veterinarians

Not sure what your cat swallowed?

Reach out to PETMED+ for basic advice on care and products for your cat. 🐾

💙 Every object carries a different level of risk, so an early assessment helps you care for your cat in time.

Follow PET MED+ for easy-to-understand tips on pet medicine and dog and cat health, so you can care for your pets the right way. 💙

LINE: @PETMED

About the Author

This article was prepared by the PETMED+ Veterinary Team.

PETMED+ is a pet pharmacy focused on providing accurate information about medicine, nutrition and pet health care, helping pet owners make safe and appropriate decisions for their pets.

Note: The information in this article is for general education only and cannot replace a diagnosis, treatment, or individual advice from the veterinarian in charge of your pet's case.