Cats can develop a
condition called pica which is characterized by eating non-edible things. The
behavior can be triggered by a variety of reasons such as boredom, stress, or
it can be an attention-seeking behavior. It can also be a play behavior or the
cat simply finds the object tasty or smelling good.
When a cat eats a string
or any similar to it, it is referred to as a linear foreign body. In most
cases, the cat passes the string with the feces within 10-24 hours. However,
there are instances when the string bunches up and binds as a result of the muscular
contractions (called peristalsis) of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). This can
eventually lead to the intestines becoming blocked, pulled, or torn.
A cat that has ingested
string that gets stuck in the GIT may exhibit the following symptoms:
l Vomiting which can increase a cat’s
risk to dehydration
l Decreased or loss of appetite
l Straining in an attempt to defecate or the cat
may have diarrhea
l Pain in the abdomen or belly
l Depression or lethargy
l Fever
If you saw your cat eating string, call your animal
hospital Marion, IA to find out what course of action your should take.
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