Go to a vet now
Get your cat to a vet now. Swallowed string, thread, yarn, ribbon or tinsel is a classic cause of a "linear foreign body", a surgical emergency in cats. If you can see string under the tongue or coming from the bottom, do not pull it.
What to do right now
- Look under your cat's tongue for string, but do not pull it.
- Do not pull string protruding from the rear end.
- If a needle was attached to the thread, tell the vet; it may need an x-ray.
- Go to your vet or an emergency clinic now.
Why string, thread or yarn can be dangerous for cats
One end of the string often anchors (commonly around the base of the tongue or in the stomach) while the gut keeps trying to move the rest along. The intestines bunch up like an accordion, and the string can saw through the intestinal wall, causing a life-threatening infection.
Symptoms to watch for
- Vomiting, often repeated
- Not eating
- Lethargy and hiding
- Painful belly
- Diarrhea or no stool
- String visible under the tongue or from the anus
What not to do
- Never pull on string from either end.
- Do not wait to see if it passes.
What the vet will do
Your vet will examine under the tongue, take x-rays or ultrasound, and usually perform surgery to remove the string. Early surgery has a good outcome.
Related guides
Cat ate string, thread or yarn: FAQ
Can a cat pass a piece of string?
Very short pieces sometimes pass, but because linear foreign bodies can be fatal, vets advise seeing a vet promptly rather than waiting.
Other "my cat ate…" guides
- PlasticCall your vet
- Rubber Band or Hair TieCall your vet
- IbuprofenEmergency
- TylenolEmergency
- Chicken BoneCall your vet
- BugWatch closely
Sources
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. Every pet is different: when in doubt, call your vet or an animal poison control line.