Cats eating grass

mn086

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Hi

Both of my kitties (7 and a half months old) eat grass in the garden, nothing unusual about that. However, they have both nearly choked on me (once each) becuase of not chewing it! Maggie this morning had a choking fit, I didn't know exactly what to do so I gave her a firm wallop on her back between her shoulder blades (as I would do this to a human and I didn't really have time to think about it!) and lots of grass came out of her at that point and all was well. She had about 5 or 6 long blades of grass in her gullet.

Does anyone else find this with their cats? Was I right to give her a firm wallop on her back or is there a better way to deal with this (in case it happens again!) The wallop did not hurt her by the way.

Thanks
 

kscatlady

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They eat grass to make themselves puke up what they can't digest. You actually shouldn't hit humans on the back when they are choking, I wouldn't have hit my cat on the back either.
 
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mn086

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Thanks for your reply. What would you have done? She was unable to breathe, it wasn't like she just wanted to be sick
 

kscatlady

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Actually, after I replied, I googled it and I guess slapping a person on the back isn't wrong, it's one of those controversial things no one can decide if it's wrong.
Anyway, I don't see how slapping a cat on the back would help if she were just standing there (please don't take that like I'm judging, it just wouldn't have been MY initial instinct). I don't see how grass could block an airway though...but I found this link for you and it's good information to have.

http://maxshouse.com/choking.htm
 
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mn086

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Thank you very much for the link, it's best to know about these things before you need to I think and as the article says it's kinda up to you at a time like that, you just don't have time to get vets etc involved there and then. She frightened the life out of me I have to say. She has been running around catching flies in the garden every since and is fine now! I hope I never need to use the information you sent me!!
(She is the first cat on the left above)
 
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