Foreign body obstruction - order of symptoms?

My naughty cat eats EVERYTHING!

And I'm getting really paranoid that she's going to eat something that hurts her and I won't know until it's too late!

In the past month I've found a tassel from a fabric wall hanging, and about 10cm of cord from a hoodie in her litter tray. Thank god she passed them but it makes me wonder....what else is inside her that she's not passed?!

She's also been known to eat hairbands and shoe laces, but as far as I can tell has just bitten through them, breaking them but not eating them (though only because I've caught her in time).

And now it's Christmas she's REALLY interested in tinsel and the tree. I don't *think* she's eaten any of that, because I've been chasing her away, but I'm still paranoid.

I'm trying really hard to hide everything she might eat, and encouraging my parents to do the same, but accidents happen.

She's also been sleeping more recently, like over the past couple of weeks, and being lazier...but I think that's just because of her age - she's 20 months old now, and still VERY playful, but this is the age they start calming down right? She also is sensitive about you touching her stomach, but I think she's always been like that.

So my question is, if my cat has eaten something she hasn't, what are the first warning signs? I know things like lethargy, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, etc., are symptoms...but what order do those symptoms come in? What's the first thing that usually happens?

If she's been lazy than normal for a couple of weeks with no other symptoms, it probably is just because she's growing up, because if she'd eaten something bad that was causing it she would already have other symptoms like vomiting or constipation or whatever, right?

Thanks in advance! I'm getting REALLY stressed and paranoid about this, especially because I'm not working right now and if there was an emergency I do not have the money for a vet or surgery.

It's been exactly 1 year since my cat had to have surgery due to eating a headband.
The first symptom was vomiting and then refusing food. All in one day. She actually ate it 2 days prior to symptoms.

Whatever you have out right now that can possibly be tempting, move it out of reach now!
The surgery and recovery was stressful.

Ok, so the symptoms came on quickly? Were there any other symptoms, like biting when you touched her stomach?

I know if there was something seriously wrong with her my parents would pay for the vet...they don't really have the money either, but I know they wouldn't let her die (uh, I think), but I'd have to be REALLY sure before I took her, which makes me worry I'd wait too long. My cats have refused food before, or thrown up, and they've been fine a few hours later, it was just a one-off thing.

How is your cat doing now? Does she still eat things she shouldn't? What did the vet say?

This is stressing me out a lot :/ I'm spraying apple cider vinegar on the Christmas decorations (haven't been able to find bitter apple spray), hiding shoe laces and things, but I'm still nervous. She eats all sorts of crap - I caught her eating the poppers on my duvet cover the other day. Things you wouldn't even think she'd want to eat, she tries!

I think her change in behaviour is just because she's growing up, and also because it's cold right now, and I'm just too neurotic.

luciafernanda said:

 
My naughty cat eats EVERYTHING!

And I'm getting really paranoid that she's going to eat something that hurts her and I won't know until it's too late!

In the past month I've found a tassel from a fabric wall hanging, and about 10cm of cord from a hoodie in her litter tray. Thank god she passed them but it makes me wonder....what else is inside her that she's not passed?!

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I'm noy sure there is an easy way to answer your question about the order  of symptoms but if it was me i'd get rid of the tinsel.

If she stops eating, vomiting, or strains to pee/poop then you need to take her to the vet ASAP. Watch the litterbox for normal pee/poop deposits.

Mosi is doing great. Pretend like you have a toddler in the house and baby proof not only the floor, but all tabletops too. I'm concerned about your tree. You need to watch her 24/7 for sure!

I don't think the apple cider will work. Some cats like it and it's a holistic remedy for cats with bladder infection/irritation. It balances ph in their urine for crystals.

You may have to keep her in a room till the tree comes down.

I know the tinsel should come down but my mum REALLY wants it up :/ so far she's been interested in playing with it....we have it around photos and mirrors, on the stairs...she's been trying to jump up to get the tinsel on the frames but just seems interested in playing with it, not actually eating it, though I'm doing my best to discourage playing.

I'm using apple cider vinegar mixed with white vinegar because I read online that it is a substitute for bitter apple. I think it works a little bit? She seems to keep her distance when I've sprayed it, maybe it's just coincidence. Makes the house stink though. Going to a specialist pet store on Sunday, hopefully they will have bitter apple spray.

I've been watching her like a hawk, locking her in my Christmas decoration-free bedroom when we're not home, and if I haven't seen her in a while I go and find her. And usually she's ok, a lot of this is just my own paranoia and neuroses. We also keep the lounge door shut if no one is in it, though this isn't ideal because we have older, lazier cats who couldn't care less about the tree but just want to sleep on the sofa. Also it's stressing me out! I keep panicking when I haven't seen her for a while.

Anyway, another question, are the main symptoms vomiting, diarrhoea, and/or constipation? Like, if she's unusually sleepy or lazy, it's unlikely she's got a blockage from eating something she shouldn't if she's not vomiting or (not) pooping?

(By unusually sleepy I mean she's sleeping 20 hours a day instead of 18, if she were sleeping 23 hours I would be very concerned)

luciafernanda said:

 
I know the tinsel should come down but my mum REALLY wants it up :/ so far she's been interested in playing with it....we have it around photos and mirrors, on the stairs...she's been trying to jump up to get the tinsel on the frames but just seems interested in playing with it, not actually eating it, though I'm doing my best to discourage playing.

I'm using apple cider vinegar mixed with white vinegar because I read online that it is a substitute for bitter apple. I think it works a little bit? She seems to keep her distance when I've sprayed it, maybe it's just coincidence. Makes the house stink though. Going to a specialist pet store on Sunday, hopefully they will have bitter apple spray.

I've been watching her like a hawk, locking her in my Christmas decoration-free bedroom when we're not home, and if I haven't seen her in a while I go and find her. And usually she's ok, a lot of this is just my own paranoia and neuroses. We also keep the lounge door shut if no one is in it, though this isn't ideal because we have older, lazier cats who couldn't care less about the tree but just want to sleep on the sofa. Also it's stressing me out! I keep panicking when I haven't seen her for a while.

Anyway, another question, are the main symptoms vomiting, diarrhoea, and/or constipation? Like, if she's unusually sleepy or lazy, it's unlikely she's got a blockage from eating something she shouldn't if she's not vomiting or (not) pooping?

(By unusually sleepy I mean she's sleeping 20 hours a day instead of 18, if she were sleeping 23 hours I would be very concerned)

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You and mom may have to make a choice between the cat's safety and holiday decorating.......