Veterinarian's Guide: Top 5 Items Cats Accidentally Ingest and How to Respond

Among the problematic behaviors of cats, accidental ingestion is one of them. Accidental ingestion is when a cat eats something it shouldn't, and if you own a cat, you've probably experienced it at least once. This article will explain in detail what cats are prone to accidentally ingesting.

Why are cats prone to accidental ingestion? A veterinarian explains the background of the behavior

The relationship between cat habits and accidental ingestion

Cats are naturally hunters that catch prey for food. "Toys" are a common cause of accidental ingestion, as cat toys stimulate their hunting instincts. Therefore, it is believed that they mistake toys for prey and swallow them while playing.

In addition, a cat's tongue has barbs, and it is not uncommon for cats to swallow strings or plastic while chewing on them.

The reality of accidents caused by curious cats

Cats that have accidentally ingested something once tend to repeat the accident. Cats are animals that act on instinct. They may play with things that interest them. For example, toxic houseplants or flowers, cushion mats, and mouse toys are all highly dangerous for accidental ingestion. Human medications, being small and rolling easily, can also be accidentally swallowed and lead to major accidents.

Differences in risk due to age and environment

Accidental ingestion is less common in older cats, and younger cats seem to have a higher risk. Accidents seem to be more common in environments where toys are always left out or where objects are within reach of cats, and it is often observed that owners themselves are unaware of the accidental ingestion.

Top 5 items cats are prone to accidentally ingesting

There are no statistics that rank accidental ingestion in cats. I have ranked them based on my own experience. I hope you find it helpful.

1. Cat toys

Accidental ingestion of cat toys is probably the most common. Some cat toys use rabbit fur or feathers, and there are countless cases of cats mistaking them for prey and swallowing them. Mouse-shaped toys are often accidentally ingested. Furthermore, many toys have strings attached, and cats often swallow the string along with the toy. Cats can swallow objects up to about 5 cm, and it is common to see cases where they swallow a mouse toy whole.

Since these toys are made of plastic, they are not digested and remain in the digestive tract. Also, depending on their size, they may not be able to vomit them out. If the digestive tract is completely blocked, the cat will vomit repeatedly. In the worst case, the intestine may rupture. Therefore, if you suspect accidental ingestion, veterinary treatment is necessary.

2. Strings, plastic, and rubber items

Cats love strings, plastic, and rubber items. This is probably because their movements resemble small creatures or snakes, stimulating their instincts. A cat's tongue has barbs, so they may swallow these items while playing. These objects can get stuck in the digestive tract and cause intestinal obstruction. They can also get caught in the back of the throat or in the digestive tract, causing the intestines to be pulled and twisted, leading to significant damage to the intestinal tract. In the worst case, a part of the intestine may rupture, causing peritonitis, which requires surgery.

Symptoms include repeated vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, and pain when the abdomen is touched.

Power cables are also often chewed, posing a risk of electric shock.

3. Cushion mats and sponges

There are many cases where cats chew on and swallow the seams or corners of cushion mats. Since a large amount is swallowed at once, it can get stuck in the stomach or obstruct the intestinal tract. Not only cushion mats, but also the bottoms of sandals and dish sponges are often accidentally ingested. Since it is often impossible to induce vomiting, removal is performed through endoscopy or laparotomy.

Symptoms include vomiting, loss of appetite, and lethargy, similar to other ingestions. If treatment is not initiated quickly, the damage to the digestive tract can become severe.

4. Human food

Human food smells delicious, so it's a treat for cats. However, some human foods are harmful to a cat's body. Common human foods that cats accidentally ingest include chocolate, cake, meat, and fish. In most cases, there are no problems, but fish or bird bones can cause significant damage to the digestive tract if they get stuck. Also, raw meat and fish can pose problems with parasites. Chocolate has an excitatory effect and can even lead to arrhythmias in the worst case.

In most cases, accidental ingestion of food is immediately noticed because there are traces of it being eaten. If your cat rummages through the trash can, it's hard to know what's in it, so caution is necessary. If there are any signs that your cat has eaten something, consult a veterinarian immediately.

5. Toxic plants, medicines

Some houseplants and flowers are toxic. Also, cats may become interested in and swallow medications that their owners are taking. Symptoms vary depending on what was accidentally ingested, but can range from vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and seizures to, in the worst case, death. Even licking water from a vase can cause symptoms of poisoning. In the case of medicines, poisoning symptoms can occur depending on the ingredients, but swallowing the medicine along with its packaging can damage the digestive tract.

Emergency response: How to react when your cat accidentally ingests something

When to consult a veterinarian and what information is needed

If you notice accidental ingestion, consult a veterinarian immediately. If you optimistically think, "It'll come out eventually," it might be too late. If you notice accidental ingestion, please tell the veterinarian "what," "when," and "how much" was eaten. Even if you don't know precisely, an approximate time or suspicious item is fine. Cats that accidentally ingest things will do it again and again. If your cat habitually mouths things, please communicate that.

What NOT to do in case of accidental ingestion and its risks

You will likely panic if your cat accidentally ingests something. If you put your hand in their mouth to try and retrieve it, you might get bitten. If a string or thread is protruding from their mouth or anus, you might feel like you can pull it out, but it might be caught somewhere in their intestines. Pulling it forcefully could tear the intestines. Also, while some online sources might suggest giving salt water, this is not always advisable depending on what was ingested, so please contact your veterinarian first. The appropriate treatment varies depending on what was swallowed.

Prevention measures to prevent accidental ingestion in cats

Do not leave items that are prone to accidental ingestion within reach

There is no other way to prevent accidental ingestion than this. Do not place items that are prone to accidental ingestion in places where your cat can get to them. It is important to always put away toys and string items and not leave them out. It is best not to display plants.

Tips for choosing toys

Toys that cause accidental ingestion are often small enough to fit in a cat's mouth and often use fur from animals like rabbits. Also, some toys have strings attached, and cats can swallow the string as well. Toys should be too large to fit in their mouth, should not use fur, and should not have strings attached.

Toys are consumables, so a broken toy can be accidentally ingested. If a toy starts to break, do not try to fix it and continue using it; replace it with a new one.

Environmental enrichment to reduce stress in your beloved cat

Curious cats will look for things to play with when they are bored. They might knock over and rummage through the trash can. Regularly install cat trees that allow for vertical movement to prevent boredom. Looking out the window can also be a change of pace. It's also important for you, the owner, to play with them. Active play satisfies their instincts. After playing, remember to put away the toys.

Summary

Accidental ingestion by cats often occurs due to instinct, and they swallow things without you noticing. Once a cat has accidentally ingested something, they will do it again and again. If accidental ingestion occurs, do not wait and see; always consult a veterinarian. If a cat that often chews on things starts vomiting or loses its appetite, it is highly likely that it has accidentally ingested something. In such cases, also visit a veterinarian as soon as possible.

To prevent accidental ingestion, make sure to properly manage the environment by not placing anything that can be put in their mouth within reach of your cat.