If you are like me and like to crochet and also have cats, you'll probably have noticed that your cat loves to play with your yarn. Even if you don't have either a cat or yarn in your home, you have probably seen cute cats playing with yarn or string in pictures. So, what's up with cats and yarn? Is yarn safe for cats?
One reason why cats like strings, yarn, dental floss, tinsel...any long stringy thing, could be that it activates their hunting instincts. The movement of string can look like a snake or a mouse's tail to them and can trigger them to action! I know I've seen my cats pounce on the yarn, and bite into it like it could be their next meal!
It could also just be fun! A ball of yarn or a length of string is non-threatening, easy to catch and can move in ways that just make it fun to play with for your cat! Cats that are inside all day can get bored and playing with a ball of yarn might be a tempting way to work off some extra energy.
Catster.com says cats might also be drawn to the texture of string because it's easy to sink their teeth into and tear apart like they might do to their prey in the wild!
Cats with yarn can look cute, but string can be especially dangerous for cats! Cat's tongues have barbs on them that face backwards toward their throat, so that can make it hard for them to spit out something like a string that gets stuck to those barbs. Then, if a cat swallows some yarn it can form what is called a linear foreign body inside their body. This happens when one end of the string gets stuck somewhere in their digestive tract. Then the rest of the string tries to pull through and can damage a cats intestines. VCA hospitals.com gives the example of a drawstring on your sweatpants. One end is knotted so that it can't go through the opening. Then, if you pull on the other end, the fabric will get bunched up around the drawstring. When this happens inside of a cat, it can cause tearing in the intestinal wall as the string or yarn rubs against the insides of the intestine, but can't pass through. When that happens, the contents of the intestines can spill into the abdomen. The VCA hosptials says this is called peritonitis and can be life threatening!
If you suspect your cat has eaten string or if you see string coming out of a cat's butt, this could be dangeous for your cat! Preventativevet.com says if you do see string coming out of your cat's butt, you can try to pull to see if it comes out easily, but if there is any resistance to stop immediately to avoid doing damage to their insides! A cat's tongue is a common place for string to get caught so if you see string in your cat's mouth too, then you should not pull! If there is resistance to the string or even if you don't see string coming out but suspect your cat has swallowed some, it's time for a trip to the vet!
A vet can take an X-ray to try to determine if your cat does have a linear foreign body. VCAhospitals say that they may not be able to see the actual string, but the X-ray can help to spot that tell-tale bunching up that can come from swallowing a string.
If it is found that your cat does have a linear foreign body, they will likely need surgery to remove the string since it is stuck and can't be eliminated on it's own. Post-surgery, the VCAhospital says that your cat will likely need to wear a cone to avoid damaging the incision and their activity level will need to be reduced. They also say that healing can be difficult because of the damage done to the intestines that still cound cause leakage, so the first 72 hours are critical. Once past that, they say most cats will recover successfully.
So, string or yarn is a tempting plaything, but can be dangerous for your cat! Always keep yarn or string (or any, long stringy thing!) out of reach when you aren't able to watch every movement your cat makes, and even then, it's better to try to distract them with a more suitable toy! I have a yoga strap that serves much more as a cat toy than it does as a yoga implement. It's long and thin enough to move like a string but much too big to be swallowed! Alternative toys can be a great way to give your cat that string experience without the danger!
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