The Hidden Danger of String, Ribbon, and Tinsel

By: Samantha Morin, Laboratory Assistant
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We’ve all seen at least one photo or video of a kitten playing with a ball of yarn. Sure, it’s an adorable sight, but if a cat (or dog, or any other animal for that matter) ingests a string or other thin, lengthy object, it can become stuck in the digestive tract and cause all sorts of problems. When that happens, veterinarians refer to it as a Linear Foreign Body.
 

While Linear Foreign Body–related mishaps certainly happen year-round, emergency veterinary clinics tend to see a sharp uptick in cases around the holidays, when festive ribbon, yarn, string, and tinsel abound.
 

Linear Foreign Bodies are especially common among cats. Because cats see small, moving objects as potential “prey,” the flutter of a neatly hung piece of tinsel or an errant ribbon can prove an irresistible lure. And while any ingested foreign object can cause problems, Linear Foreign Bodies can be particularly dangerous and difficult to pass normally.
 

The biggest threat occurs when one end of the Linear Foreign Body becomes anchored in the mouth, throat, stomach, or another part of the upper digestive tract. Cats are particularly well known for getting these objects wrapped around the base of the tongue. As the intestines attempt to push the object through, they can bunch up around it like the edges of a drawstring bag, restricting blood flow and potentially resulting in perforation of the bowel.
 

This bunching—called plication—is always an emergency. The only way to treat it is immediate surgery to remove the offending object and repair any damage to the bowel.
 

Naturally, you’ll want to avoid this at all costs. While the holidays are a common time for Linear Foreign Bodies, they can definitely occur year-round. Common culprits include broken hair ties, sewing or embroidery thread, clothing drawstrings or elastic, and household twine. Some cats may also ingest the stringier parts of their toys (such as the line attached to a kitty fishing pole), so be sure to keep these toys out of reach when you aren’t there to supervise.
 

Linear Foreign Bodies are not always easy to diagnose and often present with common symptoms such as vomiting, poor appetite, and lethargy. If one end of the object is lodged in the mouth or throat, you may also notice gagging or retching. If you happen to find tooth marks on your tinsel or gnawed-up garlands—especially if your cat isn’t acting like their usual self—please give us a call or head straight to an emergency clinic.