What happens if a cat eats steel wool?

Although not technically toxic, steel wool and metal mesh scouring pads can cause intestinal obstruction if consumed by your pet.

Is wool digestible for cats?

Ingesting wool can lead to intestinal obstruction that can have fatal consequences if not treated immediately by a veterinarian who may need to perform abdominal surgery.

Are SOS pads toxic to cats?

The ingredients in the pad can irritate the esophagus and stomach, but since it was mostly used, he probably didn’t ingest any of that or enough to be an issue. The steel wool portion can also cause irritation as it moves through the gi tract, or obstruction if enough is ingested (we see this more often in dogs).

What are Brillo pads?

Brillo Steel Wool Soap Pads are made of steel wool, soap, fragrance, and colorant.

What to do if a cat eats wool?

It is imperative that you call a veterinarian immediately if your cat ingests a string, yarn, dental floss, or any other long, threaded object. If it happens outside regular business hours, contact an emergency vet in your area.

What happens if a cat swallows a piece of string?

Cats that play with thread, string, or yarn are bound to swallow some sooner or later. A long piece of thread, string, or yarn, if swallowed, can cause a blockage of the cat’s intestinal tract with subsequent perforation. This needs immediate surgical intervention.

Why does my cat eat paper and string?

It can mimic the ingestion of a prey’s entrails. Another reason may be your cat could have the obsessive-compulsive behavior known as pica. Pica is the behavior of eating non-food material. The most common material is wool (from blankets or socks), but some cats will eat paper, plastic, shoelaces, or string.

Can a kitten eat a string of yarn?

Both kittens and adult cats also love to play with string, yarn, and the like. But this brings with it the risk that your cat will eat the string, which can lead to serious complications in some cases.

What should I do if my cat swallowed a needle?

This needs immediate surgical intervention. Veterinarians often find cats have swallowed thread with a needle attached. Sometimes the needle ends up in the stomach and must be removed surgically. At other times, the needle gets caught in the throat or roof of the mouth.