Veterinarian Explains How to Identify, Provide First Aid, and What to Do Until Seeing a Vet When Your Cat Swallows or Eats Something Harmful

If your beloved cat eats something strange, you, as the owner, will surely be anxious.

When a cat accidentally swallows something other than food or water, it is called accidental ingestion. Cats are more likely to have accidents while playing than to intentionally ingest something.

This article explains how to identify if your cat has ingested something, first aid measures, and the process leading up to a veterinary visit.

What are some common items cats accidentally ingest?

Common items that cats accidentally ingest include strings and threads, plastic materials, joint mats, toys, plants, and medications. We will explain each of these.

Strings and threads

The most common items cats accidentally ingest are strings and threads. Cats who like towels and blankets may swallow loose threads while playing or licking. Also, while playing with toys that have strings, they may chew off and swallow the string.

Plastic materials

Some cats are fond of plastic bags and similar items. Plastic bags make a crinkling sound, which can make cats think there's prey inside, turning them into toys. Also, if food has been stored in them, the smell may linger on the plastic bag, leading cats to eat them. Stress can also be a factor in such ingestion.

Joint mats

Cats may chew on the corners of joint mats laid out in the house.

Toys

There are various types of cat toys. You often see things like cat wands, ribbons, and toys with mice or feathers. Accidents can happen where cats chew on them little by little while playing and swallow them. The fur on mouse-like toys can sometimes be made of animal fur, such as rabbit, which increases a cat's excitement and leads to a very high number of ingestion accidents.

Plants

Not only plants growing in the garden but also many houseplants are poisonous to cats. They may casually chew on them and suffer from poisoning.

Chemicals

Among the most well-known cases of chemical poisoning in cats is ethylene glycol poisoning. It was formerly used as antifreeze in cars, but its use has been discontinued due to its toxicity. However, it can still be found in ice packs and similar products. Due to its distinctive sweet taste, cats may accidentally lick it and suffer from poisoning. Caution is advised if you own an older car or use ice packs containing ethylene glycol.

How to tell if your cat has ingested something

If there's a possibility your cat has ingested something, look around the area. If things are scattered, chewed up, or missing, it's possible your cat has swallowed something.

Symptoms of accidental ingestion in cats include vomiting, loss of appetite, and lethargy. If a toxic substance was swallowed, symptoms will appear within a few hours. The symptoms also vary depending on what was ingested. Furthermore, if the substance is highly toxic, it can be life-threatening.

If a cat swallows foreign objects like strings, threads, or toys, symptoms will appear if the digestive tract becomes obstructed. Frequent vomiting and vomiting even after drinking water, along with loss of appetite, will occur. These symptoms do not usually appear immediately after ingestion but rather several hours to several days later.

First aid for accidental ingestion in cats

If your cat has accidentally ingested something, avoid home first aid if possible.

If it's still in their mouth, you might try to open their mouth and remove it, but proceed with caution as there's a risk of being bitten.

If your cat has ingested string or thread, it may be protruding from their mouth or anus. Never pull on these protruding strings or threads, as doing so can damage their intestinal tract.

While methods to induce vomiting may be found online, forcing vomiting can lead to aspiration or worsen the cat's condition. Never attempt to treat it yourself. Always consult and visit a veterinary hospital.

Steps to take before visiting the vet

If your cat has accidentally ingested something, be sure to tell the vet "when, what, and how much" they ate. The less time that has passed since ingestion, the less damage to the body, and sometimes the problem can be resolved with just induced vomiting. Accidental ingestion is an emergency, so calling ahead to the veterinary hospital for advice may allow for prioritized examination. When you visit, bring a piece of what was ingested, any information about the ingredients if it was a medication, or the name if it was a plant.

Accidents can also happen at night. Do not wait until morning; seek a veterinary hospital that offers nighttime services.

At the veterinary hospital, treatment will involve gastric lavage or induced vomiting, depending on the type of ingested item. If the hospital has an endoscope, foreign objects may be removed with it. However, if the digestive tract is obstructed or damaged, open abdominal surgery will be necessary. In cases of drug poisoning, hospitalization and intravenous drip therapy will be performed.

The cost of accidental ingestion ranges from 10,000 to 200,000 yen. It varies depending on the number of days hospitalized, the treatment, and the details of the surgery.

Summary

Accidental ingestion by cats often occurs without the owner's knowledge, and foreign objects are usually discovered only after symptoms appear. To prevent accidental ingestion, avoid leaving items that a cat might eat in their room, and store them in lidded containers. Also, always put away toys after play.

If there's any possibility of accidental ingestion, visit a vet immediately.