If the plastic is still in the stomach, it can be removed by endoscopy, but if it has traveled further down, surgery may be required.
The veterinarian will take a series of x-rays to locate the plastic. If you see a piece of plastic hanging from the cat’s mouth or anus, do not pull on it because the other end might still be trapped further in the digestive system pulling on it may do more harm than good. Take your kitty to the veterinarian immediately, especially if your cat is showing signs of obstruction, like vomiting, lethargy, flinching when you touch its abdomen, diarrhea, or constipation. This can accidentally tie off segments of the intestine, cutting off the circulation and possibly killing those segments. If your cat eats a big piece of plastic wrapper, there is a possibility of the material folding into a linear-type of foreign body that may become trapped in the stomach and intestines. If that needs to happen, let the veterinarian do it. But remember that waiting and observing is only for cases when the cat is lively and happily going about its normal daily routine. Cats will usually expel small foreign bodies without any complications. The vet may prescribe cat laxatives or fiber supplements to help the plastic and food move along the digestive system faster.Ĭheck your cat’s litter box every couple of hours for signs of the plastic wrapper. But it is still ideal to take your cat to the veterinarian to get expert advice, in case the situation is more serious than what you initially think. It can take your cat between 10 and 24 hours to pass a piece of plastic. If the plastic your cat has ingested is a small piece of plastic, you have the option of waiting and observing your cat. What do I do if my cat eats plastic wrapper? Small, soft plastic When your cat sees a piece of plastic wrapper flapping in the wind, they will want to catch it as they would a mouse in a field. This cause is purely an instinct for your cat. In some cats, brain tumors can change a cat’s behavior enough to induce the plastic-biting. The most common ones are hyperthyroidism, anemia, diabetes, and dental issues. There are several health conditions that can cause the plastic-biting behavior. This condition can cause your cat more stress and can even make your cat forget to do its normal day-to-day activities. Obsessive-compulsive disorderĬonsult with your veterinarian about the possibility of your cat having OCD. Be discerning about the food you are giving to your cat. Consult with your veterinarian about the correct, breed-appropriate diet you should be giving your cat. If you think this may be the reason, try changing your cat’s diet. This is an impulsive reaction cats have because their bodies really want and need those missing nutrients. If the cat’s body tells it that it is not receiving enough nutrients from the food you are giving it, it will want to chew on other things to try to eat. This usually occurs when your cat has undergone a major change to its daily routine, like moving to a new house, a new pet addition to the household, or its owners bringing a baby home. When your cat is stressed, you may find it biting items in your home. For cats, chewing plastic and other non-food items has a calming effect. Similar to how some people have nervous habits like nail-biting, cats have habits they do when they are stressed or nervous. Proper disposal of plastics that have touched any food is important, as well as making sure cats cannot get to these items when they are on a table. When your cat smells the food remnants on plastic bags, utensils, or plates, they will want to lick and bite the plastic in hopes of getting the food. Residual food smellsĬats are known to have heightened senses of smell that allow them to pick up scents from considerable distances. Why does my cat eat plastic wrapper?īefore we get into what to do when your cat eats plastic, let us discuss why cats do this in the first place. If you want to learn more about the dangers of ingested plastic for cats, and what to do if the situation presents itself, keep on reading.
Ingesting plastic not only results in minor problems such as diarrhea and vomiting, but it can also cause gastrointestinal obstructions. Plastic wrappers can be a choking hazard, and plastic bags can be a strangulation danger. If you think your cat has eaten a plastic wrapper, you need to take it to a veterinary clinic as soon as possible.