On the Rise! Preventing Cats from Ingesting Dangerous Household Items

Now that we're spending more time at home, there's been a sharp increase in cases of cats accidentally swallowing or ingesting harmful items.

They might swallow something while playing with a toy, or mistakenly eat something they shouldn't... Depending on the item, it can be life-threatening.

To protect your cat from danger, I'd like to explain in detail the symptoms and appropriate actions to take if your cat accidentally swallows or ingests something.

What is Accidental Ingestion in Cats?

"Accidental ingestion" refers to a cat swallowing a foreign object. "Accidental eating" refers to an incident where a cat mistakenly eats a foreign object, thinking it's food.

Even the smallest "foreign object" can be life-threatening for a small cat.

Many cases involve cats accidentally swallowing foreign objects while playing, meaning any cat is at risk of accidental ingestion or eating.

A Cat's Tongue is Structured for "Swallowing Whole"

Cats are animals that "swallow whole" without chewing their food. Their jaw strength isn't very strong, so they retain the habit of scraping meat off bones with their rough tongues.

The roughness on a cat's tongue is called "filiform papillae," and it's characterized by spines that point towards the throat. This structure allows them to swallow food quickly.

In other words, a cat's tongue tends to catch on things.

String-like objects, in particular, are easily caught on the tongue, leading to many cats accidentally swallowing them. Be careful with string, toy strings, and ribbons, as they are easily ingested. Don't leave them lying around.

Items Cats Are Likely to Accidentally Ingest or Eat

It's dangerous to assume, "My cat would never swallow something like that..." Cats are very curious, so remember that accidental ingestion and eating are always a risk.

Here are some items that cats are likely to accidentally ingest or eat:

Long, thin items like string and ribbon

The most common item cats accidentally ingest or eat is "string." Be careful with plastic string, ribbons, threads from towels or blankets, rubber bands, and hair ties. Also, there's an increasing number of cases where cats tear off and swallow mask ear loops.

Plastic bags and cling film

Plastic bags and cling film can sometimes carry food odors, so many cats accidentally ingest or eat them. Many cats also love the crinkling sound. Be careful with snack wrappers as well.

Cat toys

Cat toys, such as feather wands and mouse toys, also pose a risk of accidental ingestion. Even items about 5cm in diameter can be swallowed whole.

Sponges

Cats sometimes eat dishwashing sponges or cushion sponges.

Sharp objects

Sharp objects like fish bones, bamboo skewers, toothpicks, sewing needles, and thumbtacks can puncture the mouth or digestive tract. Also, shiny earrings are often attractive to cats.

Cords and cables

Many cats chew on electrical cords and charging cables. There's also a risk of electrocution.

Batteries

If a cat swallows a button battery, there's a risk of it discharging and causing a hole in the stomach or intestines.

Plant seeds

Even small seeds can cause choking if they get stuck in the esophagus. Be careful with umeboshi (pickled plum) pits, peanuts, and edamame.

Poisonous items

Desiccants, oxygen absorbers, ice packs, and human medications can cause poisoning. Cats may also mistake bead-shaped deodorizers for food, so it's important to ensure the contents cannot be removed.

Symptoms of Accidental Ingestion in Cats

If you notice signs of the room being ransacked, carpets or blankets chewed, accessories or small items missing, or toys broken, in addition to changes in your cat's health, it's possible your cat has accidentally ingested or eaten something.

To avoid it being too late, let's learn about the symptoms that suggest accidental ingestion.

Comes out with feces

Depending on the size of the ingested foreign object, it may pass with feces without any symptoms. However, the foreign object may have damaged the mouth or digestive tract, so it's best to consult a veterinarian.

Vomiting and diarrhea

While cats often vomit, if your cat is vomiting multiple times a day, accidental ingestion might be the cause. If your cat is trying to vomit but nothing comes out, or is experiencing diarrhea, suspect accidental ingestion.

Loss of appetite

If your cat suddenly loses its appetite, it might be experiencing "intestinal obstruction," where a foreign object gets stuck in the intestines.

Swallowing long, string-like objects is particularly prone to causing intestinal obstruction, which can also lead to symptoms like constipation, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In the worst cases, it can be fatal.

Lethargy

If a sharp object is swallowed, it can lead to a condition called "intestinal perforation," where a hole is made in the intestinal wall. The cat may show discomfort when its abdomen is touched. Emergency surgery may be required.

Respiratory distress and cyanosis

If an ingested object blocks the airway, oxygen deprivation can lead to cyanosis (the tongue, oral mucous membranes, and gums turning bluish-purple). If your cat is breathing with difficulty or opening and closing its mouth without having eaten anything, accidental ingestion is suspected.

What to Do if Your Cat Accidentally Ingests or Eats Something

If you realize your cat has accidentally ingested something, you might wonder whether to wait and observe or rush to the vet.

Since the appropriate action varies depending on what the cat ingested and what symptoms it has, do not self-diagnose and follow the veterinarian's instructions.

Call your regular vet and provide as much detail as possible about what and how much was swallowed, and what symptoms are present.

Even if you're not sure if your cat ingested something, you should still visit the vet.

There are also emergency animal hospitals that are open at night, so it's a good idea to look them up for emergencies.

Treatment for Accidental Ingestion

At the veterinary hospital, physical examination, ultrasound, and X-rays are used to determine where the foreign object is in the digestive tract.

Sometimes, they may observe and give food to improve bowel movements, while other times they may induce vomiting on the spot, or perform an endoscopic removal of the foreign object. If the object is in the duodenum or small intestine, abdominal surgery may be required for removal.

What NOT to do if your cat accidentally ingests something

There are certain things you absolutely should not do if your cat has accidentally ingested something.

First, do not try to make it vomit. You should not pat its back or shake it upside down.

Also, even if the end of a string or thread is protruding from its mouth or anus, do not pull it out forcefully.

While it's understandable to want to remove the object quickly, it could injure the mouth, esophagus, stomach, or intestines. This could worsen the symptoms, so always follow your veterinarian's instructions.

How to Prevent Accidental Ingestion in Cats

First and foremost, it's important not to leave out anything that could be dangerous if your cat puts it in its mouth.

Only play with string or feathered cat wands when you're with your cat. Once playtime is over, store them out of your cat's reach.

When choosing toys, select sturdy ones that are too large to swallow. If a toy breaks or frays, replace it immediately.

Many cases of accidental ingestion occur when cats rummage through trash cans. Choose trash cans with lids, and consider installing a barrier to keep your cat out of the kitchen.

Also check if your cat is stressed

Lack of exercise and stress can sometimes lead to accidental ingestion or eating. Re-evaluate your cat's environment, checking if there are enough cat towers and scratching posts, how well they get along with other cats, and if their playtime has decreased.

Some cats even get stressed by a dirty litter box.

Use a cage when you're out

Accidental ingestion often happens when owners aren't watching.

It's a golden rule to store anything dangerous out of your cat's reach, but many cats are clever enough to open drawers...

It's important to keep an eye on your cat usually, and when you're away, it might be necessary to use a cage as a preventative measure.

Attach a bell to your cat's collar to keep track of its location

It's also important not to leave out or touch items that your cat could easily ingest when it's nearby.

There are cases where cats have swallowed plastic string while someone was bundling newspapers, ingested a dropped bean, or got into mischief in a storage room without anyone knowing.

However, cats are like ninjas, walking silently. To keep track of your cat's whereabouts, we recommend attaching a "bell" to its collar. The sound of the bell can help you notice your cat approaching or if it's trapped somewhere.

Also, cats are creatures that hide their ailments. To ensure your cat isn't collapsing somewhere out of your sight, it's reassuring to know its location.

Summary

Even everyday items for owners can pose a risk of accidental ingestion for cats.

They can cause intestinal obstruction or perforation, sometimes requiring emergency abdominal surgery. In the worst cases, they can be fatal.

What owners can do is learn about what cats are prone to ingesting and take preventative measures to avoid such incidents.

To quickly identify accidental ingestion, it's crucial to observe your cat's behavior regularly. If you notice anything "unusual" or "different," suspect accidental ingestion and consult a veterinarian.

Tidy away small items and keep the kitchen area clean. Creating an environment where owners can live comfortably also contributes to preventing accidental ingestion in cats.

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