How long before something should "pass" through his system

So Jordan I THINK, Jordan ate a small piece of a broken plate on Saturday morning. (Like he needs any other medical issues) I don't know for sure that he did, and if he did it was a super small piece. I've been keeping a very close eye on him, but I'm wondering when I will know that we are out of the woods? He is eating and playing and pooing. As a matter of fact I think he's been better the last couple of days than he has been in months. I'm just curious as to how long it should take to pass something like that. (Yes I was super worried on Saturday and almost rushed him to the vet, but figured the piece was so small I'm not sure it would have even shown on an x-ray, and frankly I'm preety sure the vet thinks I'm totally off my rocker already)

The problem is that a broken plate would have sharp edges... it could cut the intestinal system. So it's not the type of item you can wait to see if he passes, since it isn't safe to pass. If you really think he has eaten it, then you should go to the vet immediately.

It sounds like you're uncertain, though. Why do you think he ate it? Did you see him do it, or was he just in the area?

Originally Posted by emmylou

The problem is that a broken plate would have sharp edges... it could cut the intestinal system. So it's not the type of item you can wait to see if he passes, since it isn't safe to pass. If you really think he has eaten it, then you should go to the vet immediately.

It sounds like you're uncertain, though. Why do you think he ate it? Did you see him do it? Or was he just in the area?

Click to expand...

... it could be already through or it could be stuck

I would get him in for an x-ray right away if you think he ate a broken piece of a plate.

I saw him sniffing at something in the area I was cleaning up. I don't know for a fact that he ate what he was sniffing, and I don't know what he was sniffing at. He was under the table and there wasn't enough light to know for sure what he was doing.

Sniffing doesn't indicate eating, to me. If you'd seen him swallowing or licking his chops, that would be something else. Plus plate shards don't smell like anything or have much else that would appeal to a cat to make him want to eat them... unlike rubber bands, string, etc.