Why Yarn Is Not a Safe Toy for Cats
Cats enjoy playing with small objects that they can bat around with their paws, and yarn is no exception. Yarn is lightweight, changes shape, and is easily picked up by cats. However, yarn can pose serious risks to cats, making it essential to understand these dangers and find alternative toys for your feline friend.
Concerns With Yarn
Choking - Some cats find chewing on yarn appealing, which is concerning because pieces of yarn can cause choking if they get lodged in the back of the cat's mouth or are inhaled. If a cat is choking on yarn, it must be dislodged or removed immediately.
Foreign body - If a cat swallows yarn, it enters the gastrointestinal tract. Items like yarn, which shouldn't be ingested, are called foreign bodies inside a cat. Some of these may be vomited or pass through in the cat's stool, but others can get stuck and cause obstructions or other issues, just like in a dog.
Obstruction - Obstructions are very serious, and surgery is often necessary to remove the object. Yarn can be especially problematic since long pieces can get attached (looped around the tongue, for example) and stretched out through the gastrointestinal tract where it is called a linear foreign body. As the stomach and intestines attempt to move food through peristalsis (rhythmic contractions), yarn can cut through intestinal walls resulting in potentially fatal abdominal infections.
Entanglement and constriction - Yarn can be fun to play with, but it can also get twisted and tangled around a cat's leg, foot or tail. If your cat gets tangled up in yarn, the blood supply could get cut off from that part of the body. This causes pain and swelling initially, but if the yarn isn't removed, constriction can also result in tissues dying. This means toes, feet and tails can die and fall off just because yarn gets wrapped around them too tightly.
How to Keep Your Cat Safe From Stringed Dangers
The obvious solution would be to keep stringed items out of the home if you have a cat, but this isn't entirely practical. Besides choosing not to use certain items that can endanger your cat (like tinsel on your Christmas tree), you need to store and use these items carefully. Children should learn about the dangers of leaving ribbons, hair ties, and other string items accessible if a cat is present. Adults should ensure no such items are left within a cat's reach. Store sewing, knitting, and crocheting supplies properly; don't leave kitchen twine unattended on counters; and tie up curtain or window blind strings to prevent a cat from getting tangled. While playful kittens are especially at risk, adult cats aren't immune to string dangers.
What To Do If Your Cat Ate String or Yarn
If your cat consumes a stringed item, contact your veterinarian for advice. At the very least, monitor your cat for signs of vomiting, poor appetite, changes in defecation, or lethargy. If you observe these or any other symptoms of illness, take your cat to the veterinarian immediately.
Alternatives to Yarn
While cats may enjoy playing with yarn and other string items, there are much safer cat toys available. Small stuffed toys, fake mice, small balls, and other toys that can be carried and batted around are great options. Always supervise cats when they're playing with toys that include strings, like kitty wands or fishing poles.
