I seriously thought this happened when I had my tuxedo handful man cat, Madison. Oh my gosh, I was convinced he ate my ring (favorite sterling silver ring too!) and went crazy researching what would happen to him. I also was curious if I could ever get it back, so we also called the vet. Here is what I learned during the drama of Madison, my first tuxedo cat. Not only will this content answer the question, ‘can my cat eat and swallow my ring?’, I will share everything I learned too.
Can My Cat Eat And Swallow My Ring?
Due to their curious nature and over-excitement, cats often accidentally swallow objects that might be of interest to them. As a cat owner, you should take great care of your pet and make sure to keep small objects like rings or other jewelry out of their reach.
Yep, they cure can! Although it is not really typical or even common, it does happen! In general, cats can swallow a ring, and they usually do not ingest jewelry unless it is an accident.
Normally, if they come upon a ring, they might start playing with it if they find it attractive, and during that time they might swallow it unintentionally. Oops!
This blog post is for you if your cat has swallowed your ring or if you think he might have. I put together all of the reasons I could find on why cats might swallow rings, what you can do to help your cat in such a situation, what treatment options are available, and whether it is life-threatening for a cat to ingest a foreign object.
PHEW!
These kitties are high maintenance, but sooo worth it!
But… you want your ring back, and to make sure your cat is okay so let’s pounce right into this topic!
Can My Cat Ingest My Ring
Cats can indeed swallow rings. Cats do not usually do it on purpose, so it isn’t like they are mad, really hungry for pearls and diamonds or anything like that.
In fact, if your cat gobbled up your jewelry, he was probably doing it while playing with it and got a little carried away. Some cats also like metal and to chew on things, so it might have been pure curiousity.
As we all know, cats can become very excited at times, especially during playtime, which is when accidents like these occur. Therefore, it is recommended to keep your rings, jewelry, and other small objects out of your cats’ reach.
Just like you, your cat might be super attracted to bling bling. The irresistible sparkle and shine catches her eye.
Since swallowing a ring can result in serious health issues for your cat, including death, it is important that you prevent this from occurring.
Why Does My Cat Try To Eat My Ring?
Cats typically won’t eat any metal or plastic items, like rings, and when they do, it’s usually a case of accidental ingestion. HOWEVER, anyone who uses ponytail hair ties knows well, they are a cat magnet! i often wonder how many are in Finnegan’s stomach. It really makes you wonder what else they have in there.
There are primarily two reasons why a ring could probably end up in your cat’s tummy:
1. Rings are generally appealing to cats since they are lustrous and small in size. For this reason, a cat might start playing with the ring and start to lick or bite it. As the cat does this, it might also start to get excited and swallow the ring.
2. Although highly unlikely, a cat might accidentally swallow a ring while eating his food if his owner somehow dropped the ring in its food bowl. It can happen, (but seriously, I doubt it would) therefore you should always check to make sure your cat’s food bowl is free of any foreign objects before he starts inhaling his grub.
How Long Does A Foreign Object Stay In The Belly Of A Feline?
The duration of the foreign object’s stay in your cat’s body is determined by several factors, including the size of the foreign object, its position in the digestive tract, and your cat’s overall condition and health.
Normally, it would take a cat 12 to 24 hours to pass out any foreign object in the stool. And by pass, yep poop. However, if the foreign object becomes lodged in the digestive tract it can even take weeks to months for the cat to poop the foreign object out of his butt hole.
However, if the bling is completely stuck and won’t budge, your cat might need a little assistance.
How Can I Tell If My Cat Has Swallowed My Ring?
If your cat has swallowed a ring or other foreign object, he will likely exhibit the following symptoms:
● The cat will try to throw up (gagging)
● Abdominal pain
● Loss of appetite or decreased appetite
● Difficulty in defecation and the volume of the stool will also be lower than usual (difficulties pooping) Finn will rub his but along the floor or walk with his tail between his legs when he is working on getting a toy out. (He sometimes eats the tails off of his mouse toys)
● Restlessness
● The cat will constantly produce sounds if he is in pain (this is severe and I would do my best not to let it get to this level if at all possible)
● Sudden changes in the behavior (aggressiveness, lethargy)
If your cat is experiencing the symptoms listed above and you are unable to find your ring or another jewelry item, you might want to put a call into your vet.
How Can I Help My Cat Pass A Foreign Object?
There is not a lot you can do to help your cat pass out a foreign object other than wait for it to pass out on its own or take your cat to the veterinarian. If you believe your cat has ingested a foreign object, I strongly advise that you take it to the vet as soon as possible. Feeding her moist food can help but I also give Finnegan Tinkle Tonic regularly which seems to relax his insides. This mostly works for urinating, but if he just needs to relax to get the poop out, Tinkle Tonic can help.
If there is no veterinarian nearby (or if this happens over the weekend and these situations almost always do) and your cat doesn’t seem to be in pain, is eating properly, and is behaving normally, you can wait for a maximum of 24 hours for him to pass the foreign object on his own, however, don’t wait much longer than that.
If the cat vomits on its own, it’s fine; never try to induce vomiting in the hopes that the foreign object will come out. Moreover, never follow any internet tips that claim to help flush out the ring or foreign object from your cat’s body because doing so can complicate the situation much further.
Does Removing A Foreign Object Require Surgery In Cats?
It’s possible to remove a foreign object from your cat’s body without needing to perform surgery. However, it will rely on your veterinarian’s findings and your cat’s health. And obviously how bing the ring was and if your cat is showing signs of illness. If the purr baby is a senior cat, she might have challenges getting the jewelry out on her own.
A veterinarian may advise waiting for the foreign object to pass on its own if it was small and free of any sharp edges and if your cat is not in pain and is acting normally. A veterinarian may also prescribe medications to increase your cat’s digestive motility so that the object can be removed as soon as possible.
However, if the ring or foreign object was large, had sharp or pointed edges, or if your cat shows signs of pain and discomfort and it has been more than 12 hours, your veterinarian might decide to go for surgery. Surgery will be the last option because of expenses, time it takes to get an appointment and risks associated with felines being under anesthesia.
Before the surgery, X-rays are generally taken to determine the exact location of the foreign object in the digestive tract. The vet will then sedate your cat and remove the object. Your cat may require post-surgical care for a speedy recovery.
Can Ingestion Of A Foreign Object Be Fatal For My Cat?
Your cat’s intestine could be punctured by a foreign object if it was large and had sharp edges, which could cause internal bleeding, peritonitis, or an infection in the peritoneal cavity (abdomen). Sometimes it can be very challenging to treat this infection, and cats can die if the right care and treatment are not given.
Try not to panic, there is a very good chance your feline can push that rock right out of his pooper on his own. And if he cannot do it, the vet will have some tips for you (maybe medication) and worst case scenario they will go in and pick it right out.
Are certain types of rings more dangerous for cats to swallow?
Rings with small stones, intricate designs, or components that could break off may pose a greater risk if ingested by a cat. Smooth, solid rings might pass through the digestive system more easily. However, regardless of the ring type, it’s crucial to keep them away from your cat to prevent accidental ingestion.
What are the potential health risks if my cat swallows my ring?
Swallowing a ring can lead to various health risks for cats, such as choking, intestinal blockages, or damage to the digestive tract. Symptoms might include vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, or abdominal discomfort. Seeking prompt veterinary care is crucial to assess the situation and determine the best course of action.
How can I prevent my cat from swallowing my ring?
Preventing your cat from swallowing your ring involves proactive measures. Store jewelry and other small objects in secure containers or in areas that are inaccessible to your cat. Supervise playtime to ensure your cat doesn’t interact with small items. Providing appropriate toys and enrichment can also help redirect their attention away from potentially harmful objects.
Lisa Illman is the Founder of Kritter Kommunity, LLC. She has a tuxedo adult cat and has had him since he was a baby kitten. Before her cat Finnegan, Lisa had had two FIV-positive cats for over a decade. They inspired Lisa to invent a cat enclosure and a portable catio so they could safely sit outside and enjoy fresh air and sunshine. Lisa had a Poodle and a parakeet growing up. She currently loves to pet-sit for her neighbors’ dogs and cats.
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