Cats are notorious for getting into things they shouldn’t and ingesting foreign objects. I know firsthand, since my cat Luna seems to have such a weird fetish for eating ribbon that she could probably land a spot on the TV show My Strange Addiction. If your cat ate a ribbon and is now vomiting, it is crucial to contact a veterinarian right away so they can assess the best course of action for your kitty. If you’re unsure if your cat ate a ribbon, it’s best to still contact your vet to get ahead of any dangerous complications. Keep reading to find out the signs and symptoms to look out for if your cat ingested a ribbon and how best to keep your cat away from ribbon in the future.
Note: I am not a medical professional, and this article is not to be taken as medical or veterinary advice. Always contact a veterinarian regarding concerns about your pet’s health or behavior. Please see my disclaimer for further information.
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My Cat Ate a Ribbon: Now What?
Sometimes it’s very obvious that your cat has eaten a ribbon, whether you saw them do it or you noticed that their favorite wand toy with ribbon is mysteriously missing a few pieces. If this is the case, you should call your vet right away, as ingesting ribbon can have serious and sometimes even lethal consequences for your kitty.
Your vet will be able to tell you if you should continue monitoring your cat for signs and symptoms, or if you should bring your cat into the office to be evaluated and/or treated. According to Catster, some of the key signs and symptoms that your cat has ingested ribbon are drooling, vomiting, lethargy, lack of appetite, changes in behavior, diarrhea or constipation, and a hunched appearance.
In some cases, you might even find vomit with ribbon in it around the house (as is sometimes the case in my house). If this happens, you might be wondering if you should still call your vet and watch for symptoms in your cat. The answer is YES! The best case scenario is that your cat throws up the entire piece of ribbon before it reaches their digestive tract. However, you can never assume that this has occurred. Always check in with your vet, as there could still be some ribbon that hasn’t been vomited up and can cause problems for your kitty.
What Problems Can Arise From a Cat Ingesting Ribbon?
If your cat ate a ribbon, or any linear foreign object such as yarn, string, laces, etc., major health ramifications could arise for your kitty, besides just vomiting. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, if an object is not expelled from the body via vomiting or in the feces, intestinal perforation can occur.
Intestinal perforation happens when one end of the linear foreign body (ribbon in this case) anchors to some point in the gastrointestinal tract. This could be in the stomach, at the base of the tongue, or in the intestines. The intestines will attempt to move the unanchored end of the ribbon down the intestinal tract, yet the ribbon is unable to move. This results in the intestines bunching up, and this can lead to an intestinal perforation, or tear, due to the consistent cutting motion of the ribbon against the intestinal wall. Once there is a tear in the intestines, peritonitis can occur, which is the leakage of intestinal contents into the abdomen and can be life-threatening.
How Will a Vet Treat a Cat That Has Ingested Ribbon?
When you bring your cat to the vet for suspected ingestion of a ribbon or associated vomiting, a vet will typically ask you a series of questions first. They will want to find out what signs/symptoms your cat is exhibiting, why you suspect a ribbon was ingested, among other questions. They will then evaluate your cat by examining your cat’s abdomen, checking for signs of pain, taking their temperature, checking their gums, etc.
Further testing such as an X-ray or ultrasound may be needed depending on the results of the evaluation. In certain cases, endoscopy or exploratory surgery may be recommended to locate and remove the ribbon.
How to Keep Your Cat Away From Ribbon
Whether you’ve experienced your cat ingesting ribbon and vomiting or are hoping to avoid this dangerous situation, it’s important to keep your cat away from ribbon. This can be tricky, as ribbon is actually used in a lot of cat toys.
I recently bought a ribbon wand toy for my cats, and within 5 five minutes, I found Luna chewing away on it. Thankfully I was able to take the ribbon out of her mouth before she swallowed it (which reminds me – NEVER pull ribbon out of your cat’s mouth if it’s already down their throat, as this can cause major issues for kitty). Needless to say, the toy went right in the trash. I’m not quite sure why they make cat toys with dangerous materials; not to mention, materials that are clearly very loosely attached and easily removed.
Besides cat toys, watch out for balloon ribbon, ribbon for gifts/bows, crafting ribbon, etc. Never leave any ribbon laying around the house where your cat can access it, especially if they have a history of a ‘ribbon fetish’.
In Conclusion
If your cat ate a ribbon and is vomiting, or even if you’re slightly suspicious they may have eaten a ribbon but are showing no signs, contact your vet right away. You don’t want to take chances when your cat swallows a foreign linear object. Keep an eye out for signs that they may have ingested ribbon, such as drooling, lethargy, and loss of appetite. To avoid scary (and expensive!) vet visits, keep ribbon far away from your kitty and steer clear of any cat toys that come with ribbon on them. With these things in mind, you can keep your kitty cat happy and healthy!
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I have 3 cats and they’re like my small children, always putting something they shouldn’t be in their mouths. It’s mostly my plants but this is good information to know. Thank you!
Hi Allie,
I’m glad you found this article helpful. It can be so scary trying to deal with a cat who’s eaten something they shouldn’t, or just trying to keep this from happening!
Good information to share for cat lovers!
I’m glad you found this post helpful, Domii!