Why Cats Can't Play with Yarn Balls: The Reason Explain

Understanding the Dangers of Yarn Balls to Cats

● Choking Hazard: Many cats find the texture of yarn irresistible, but this can be a dangerous attraction. If a cat accidentally swallows a piece of yarn or gets it caught in their mouth, it can lead to a serious choking situation.

● Foreign Objects: When a cat ingests yarn, it can eventually make its way into the gastrointestinal tract. Yarn and other nonedible items are referred to as foreign objects once they are inside a cat. While some foreign objects can be expelled through vomiting, others may remain and cause blockages or other issues.

● Blockages: Severe blockages may require surgery to remove the foreign object. Yarn can be particularly problematic because long pieces can tangle together (such as forming a loop around the tongue) and extend through the gastrointestinal tract, becoming a linear foreign body. As the stomach and intestines attempt to move food through peristalsis (rhythmic contractions), the yarn can pierce the intestinal wall, leading to potentially fatal abdominal infections.

● Entanglement: While yarn balls can be fun to play with, they can also wrap around a cat's legs, feet, or tail. If a cat becomes entangled in yarn, their blood supply may be cut off, causing pain and swelling. If the yarn is not removed, it can lead to tissue death, meaning toes, feet, and tails may die and fall off due to the tightness of the yarn.

Other Potential Hazards

Yarn is not the only type of rope that can be dangerous to cats. Other common household stringlike hazards include curtain cords, sewing thread, shoelaces, ties, rubber bands, dental floss, ribbons, and metal wires. These items can also cause blockages, foreign objects, and entanglement, similar to yarn.

How to Protect Your Cat from These Dangers

The obvious answer is to keep these items out of reach of your cat, but this is not always possible. In addition to avoiding items that could be hazardous to your cat (like metal tinsel on a Christmas tree), it's important to store and use these items carefully.

For households with cats, it's crucial to educate children about pet safety and inform them of the dangers these stringlike items can pose to pets. Adults should also be vigilant about keeping thin ropes away from cats, properly storing sewing and knitting supplies, and securing curtain or window cords to prevent entanglement. Playful kittens are particularly susceptible to the dangers of stringlike items, but this doesn't mean adult cats are immune.

What to Do If Your Cat Accidentally Ingests Yarn

If your cat accidentally ingests yarn or any other stringlike item, it's essential to contact a veterinarian immediately. Monitor your cat for symptoms like vomiting, decreased appetite, changes in bowel movements, or drowsiness. If you notice any of these symptoms or any other signs of illness, take your cat to a veterinary hospital for further examination and treatment.

While cats may enjoy playing with yarn and other stringlike items, there are safer cat toys available that you can provide during playtime. Small plush toys, fake mice, balls, and other toys that can be carried and patted are great options for cats.

Always supervise your cat when they are playing with toys that include strings, such as fishing rods or teaser sticks.