• Ask A Vet Online 24/7
  • Fitness
    • Mobility
    • Playing
    • Running
    • Weight
  • Health
    • Allergies
    • Digestive System
    • Diseases
    • Ears
    • Handicap
    • Nutrition
    • Parasites
    • Reproduction
    • Supplements
    • Urinary System
    • Vision
  • Care
    • Adoption
    • Bedding
    • Cleaning supplies
    • Kitten
    • Pet insurance
    • Puppy
    • Safety
    • Senior
  • Fun & Play
    • Gadgets
    • Games
    • Treats
  • Training
    • Manners
    • Obedience
    • Rehabilitation
  • Behavior
    • Psychology
    • Travel
  • Grooming
    • Bathing
    • Fur
    • Skin
    • Style
  • Login
  • Register
  • Share This Page
  • Search
  • Ask A Vet Online 24/7
  • Fitness
    • Mobility
    • Playing
    • Running
    • Weight
  • Health
    • Allergies
    • Digestive System
    • Diseases
    • Ears
    • Handicap
    • Nutrition
    • Parasites
    • Reproduction
    • Supplements
    • Urinary System
    • Vision
  • Care
    • Adoption
    • Bedding
    • Cleaning supplies
    • Kitten
    • Pet insurance
    • Puppy
    • Safety
    • Senior
  • Fun & Play
    • Gadgets
    • Games
    • Treats
  • Training
    • Manners
    • Obedience
    • Rehabilitation
  • Behavior
    • Psychology
    • Travel
  • Grooming
    • Bathing
    • Fur
    • Skin
    • Style
  • Home
  • Digestive System
  • My Cat Ate Litter What Should I Do?
Categories:
  • Digestive System
  • Health
  • Safety

My Cat Ate Litter What Should I Do?

Kim

May 10, 2021
Like 0
Categories:
  • Digestive System
  • Health
  • Safety
SHARE THIS PAGE

My Cat Ate Litter What Should I Do?

The contents of the OurFitPets.com website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on this site (“Content”) are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding the medical condition of your pet. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website!

Has your cat eaten some litter? Are you worried the litter will make your cat sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place!

Click Here to Talk To Our VET LIVE

In this article, we’ve put together some information about cat litter and whether or not it can make your cat sick. Let’s get started!

Should You Leave Your Dog In The Da...

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

Should You Leave Your Dog In The Dark?

What is Litter?

Cats, like dogs, sometimes eat things they shouldn’t. You’d be surprised at how many people have cats that have eaten cat litter!

Click Here to Talk To Our VET LIVE

Cat litter is the substrate used in a cat’s litter box. The litter helps to absorb urine and odor from when a cat goes to the bathroom. There are many different types of cat litter, including clay, low dust or dust-free, clumping/non-clumping, silica gel, pine litter, and more.

Why on earth would a cat want to eat any type of cat litter?

Cats Eat Cat Litter for Various Reasons

Cats that eat litter may be lacking certain nutrients, they may have a condition called pica, are curious, or the litter may smell like food. Cats may also eat litter out of boredom.

Click Here to Talk To Our VET LIVE

What is Pica?

Pica is a condition that causes a compulsion to eat certain non-food items. Pica is found in humans and animals, including cats. This may be a behavioral issue or caused by a lack of nutrients.

Can Cat Litter Make my Cat Sick?

Litter is not good for cats, as it’s not meant to be eaten. And clumping litter can be dangerous if eaten in large amounts. This is because the litter may clump in the cat’s digestive system and create an intestinal obstruction. This is a very serious medical condition that can lead to death if not treated.

Symptoms of an Intestinal Blockage in Cats

You may notice these symptoms if your cat develops an intestinal blockage from eating cat litter:

  • Vomiting
  • Pain
  • Constipation
  • Lethargy
  • Lack of appetite/not drinking water
  • Weight loss
  • Drooling
  • Abdominal pain & swelling
  • Hiding/not wanting to be touched

If you notice these symptoms in your cat, then it’s time to call the vet immediately. This is a medical emergency.

Treatment of Intestinal Blockage in Cats

At the vet’s, they will perform a complete physical exam of your cat. This will include lab work and x-rays (or other imaging). The images will help the vet see where the cat litter is inside your cat’s digestive tract.

If the litter is still in the cat’s stomach, the vet may induce vomiting or perform an endoscopic procedure to remove the cat litter from the cat’s stomach. Another option is to use gastric lavage to wash the cat litter out.

However, if the cat litter has made it to the intestines, then your fur baby may require emergency surgery to remove the blockage.

In most cases, if a cat receives prompt medical care, she will make a full recovery. The vet may also try to determine why your cat is eating litter and treat the underlying cause, too.

(Visited 123 times, 1 visits today)
Tags:
  • cat care
  • cat health
  • cat safety
SHARE THIS PAGE

Kim

Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.

Related Posts

  • Why Does My Cat Lick Me? 9 Things You Should Consider March 8, 2022
    Cat Squinting One Eye – What to Do February 20, 2022
  • Cats: Top 12 Best Carriers – Your Cat’s New Home January 7, 2022
    7 Common Diseases In Senior Cats November 17, 2021
  • Cat Trilling – Why Do Some Cats Trill? October 31, 2021
    10 Reasons to take Your Cat with You on Vacation October 11, 2021

Add Your Comment Cancel reply

  • Ask A Vet Online 24/7
  • Contact Us
  • Pet Product Reviewer
  • Categories
  • Do Not Sell my Personal Information
  • Terms of Use
  • Disclaimer & Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright
© OurFitPets.com

Share it on your social network:

Or you can just copy and share this url