Cat eating artificial tree needle

I got one of those $20 artificial Christmas trees and put it up for the holidays, and have left it up into January because it's so festive and cozy! My cat didn't seem too interested in it at first -- he'd rub up against it and sit behind it, though didn't knock it over or try to climb it. However in the past few days I noticed him starting to chew incessantly on the needles. The tree wasn't shedding so I wasn't sure if he could get them off or not, but just tonight I saw him actually eat one of the fake needles. I don't know if he's eaten any before. His stool has been normal, though he did throw up last night -- there was a long strand of my hair in it, so I assumed that's what caused him to vomit. He's eaten since and hasn't thrown up, and his activity levels are as always high for a year old cat.

I've of course taken the Christmas tree down and put it away, but I'm worried about potential side effects of him definitely eating at least one needle. The needles are thin and pliable -- will it pass through his system? Is there anything I should keep an eye out for besides vomiting and stool problems?

I actually just had this happen to me in December. Put up a fake Christmas tree and the next day my cat was puking the Christmas tree up. If he's eating then it sounds like you lucked out. My cat was puking and refused all food and water, he wasn't using the litter. I brought him to the vet and he ended up needing emergency surgery because the fake tree caused a blockage in his intestines and he needed it removed right away.

So keep an eye on his food intake and his water intake as well as his litter. If he hasn't eaten or drank water in 24 hours or used his litter, bring him to the ER. If he continues to puke, bring him the vet as well.
Best of luck, I wouldn't want anyone to go through what I just went through.

Oh my gosh I'm so sorry, that's just horrible. I'm starting to think cats and Christmas trees don't mix, whether they're alive or artificial. I think I'm going to hang lights up on the walls next year and skip the tree... Or just get a picture of one or something haha.

Right after posting he snarfed down dinner and drank water. I'm hoping that the fact he didn't vomit in the last hour and a half is good news. I'll feel much better when he uses the litter box, so I guess I'll just have to wait (he's having his post-dinner nap).


Thank you so much for sharing. I thought I was being smart going the artificial route. Hopefully everything passes fine and this will just be a lesson in caution for me.

I'm so glad to hear he is eating and drinking. After the first initial puke, my cat lost all interest in food. And then 7 or 8 hours later, after not eating, drinking or using his litter... he puked again and that's when I ran him to the ER. I thought I was going the smart way with the artificial tree too. Boy, was I wrong! I won't see a Christmas tree for the rest of HIS life, cuz that was a scary situation.

Sounds like your cat is going to be okay. As long as he keeps eating and drinking water, and using the litter.... you're safe. But if he does puke again, I'd recommend calling your vet and maybe making an appt just to be safe. But it doesn't sound like it's going to go that way with you! Best of luck with your baby!!!! What a cutie!!!