Learn how yarn and other small toys may be hazardous for cats.
Cats love mischief, and what they love even more is playing with small items. If it’s something they can push around, chew, bat, or entangle their paws in, cats will go find some form of entertainment from it!
Your Carroll Gardens brownstone may be one big play place for your cat, so it’s important to know what is potentially dangerous to your cat and what’s not. Get the best information from The Vet Set and follow along in today’s post!
The Trouble With Yarn
Why is yarn such a hazard for cats to play with? After all, they jump into boxes and eat feathery wands, what is so dangerous?
Yarn can endanger your cat in the following ways:
Suffocation/Constriction – If there is yarn — or something similar like ribbon — laying around your home and your cat finds it, they could be in trouble. Cats can get carried away when they play, not noticing the yarn being wrapped around their bodies until it’s too late. Or, they could fall from a play area, a table, etc. and the yarn could get caught. These scenarios are not good and pose a life-threatening situation to your cat.
Choking – If your cat finds yarn and begins to chew and ingest it, they could easily choke as the yarn unravels in their trachea, fraying and affecting airflow. Yarn can also get stuck in the back of a cat’s throat or they could accidentally inhale it.
Obstruction – If your cat ingests a large amount of the yarn they’re playing with, it could lodge into their GI tract, causing an obstruction. Typically, obstructions can be passed with the help of food and water, but if it doesn’t pass within a certain time frame, you’ll need to take your cat into the vet to get it assessed.
Beyond yarn other yarn-like dangers, you may want to consider the following:
- Shoelaces
- Window blind and curtain cords
- Hair times
- Floss
- Rope
- Twine
Keeping Your Cat Away From Yarn
The best way to prevent your cat from getting ahold of yarn or other similar items is to simply keep it in an area they don’t have access to. If they’re curious about shoe laces, keep your closet door shut. Or, if they like to play with cords, try knotting them up higher or placing tables and chairs away from that area, limiting their access to them.
What do you do if your cat gets a hold of yarn?
If your cat finds yarn and ingests it, it’s better to be safe than sorry, so contact your vet for advice. They may ask you to monitor your cat for specific symptoms such as vomiting, low-energy, or poor appetite, if they’re concerned they’ll advise you to bring them in.
Cat-Safe Toys
There are a variety of cat toys that are much safer for cats than yarn. Try stuffed fake mice, small balls they can chase, or other toys they can bat at. And, at the end of the day if you’re worried, you can always supervise them when they get a new toy.
We love seeing your feline friends at The Vet Set in Carroll Gardens! To schedule an appointment, connect with us today!