My ~3 year old cat MIGHT have eaten a 2-4ft long felt string. She hasnt shown any signs of discomfort. Regular eating/pooping habits (eats 1/3 can of food wet food every morning and night, dry food always available. pooped last night, should poop again tonight after dinner). The window of time it might have happened was 10am-9pm (I was at school, then work). I gave her 1/4 table spoon of canola oil last night. If she doesn't show any signs of discomfort and continues to eat/poop regularly, should we be okay? I looked all over the house for the string but cannot find it, and it appears bitten
If your cat has ingested a long piece of felt string, it's important to monitor her closely for any signs of gastrointestinal obstruction, which can be a serious condition. The fact that she is eating, drinking, and defecating normally is a good sign, and the canola oil you provided may help in passing any ingested material.
However, it's crucial to watch for symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, lethargy, changes in behavior, abdominal pain or swelling, or any difficulty with defecation. These could indicate a partial or complete blockage of the intestinal tract, which would require immediate veterinary attention.
In the meantime, continue to ensure she has access to fresh water and her regular diet, as maintaining hydration and normal gastrointestinal motility is beneficial. Do not give her any more oil or other home remedies without consulting a professional, as inappropriate amounts or types of oil can cause other issues.
If you notice any string in her stool, do not pull it out, as this could cause damage if the string is anchored somewhere inside. Instead, if the string is visible and not passing on its own, or if you notice any of the aforementioned symptoms, seek veterinary care immediately.
Keep her environment free of small objects or strings that could be ingested in the future, and consider providing safe toys that do not have long strings or parts that can be easily chewed off and swallowed.
If you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to come back to us! Thank you.
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