Eating Sisal Rope - good/bad?

Hi all, first time poster although I've lurked through the threads in the past and have found some really informative info. Thanks for that. I did do a search for this subject beforehand, but couldn't find anything.

My question is about sisal rope. My cat has always had a carpet scratcher and loves it. She's never equated it with scratching elsewhere so I've always been happy to let her use it. With all the talk of sisal being better, I decided to get one of those big cat condos with sisal scratchers for posts. She likes using it, however I notice she also chews the pieces of sisal that stick out. It's similar behavior to the way cats react to plants or cat grass. I think I've even seen her pull on the sisal to get longer strands to chew on.

This seems dangerous to me. Perhaps the rope is indigestible and may attach to something vital inside her. I'd hate to give up the condo since she likes sleeping in it, but I'd rather do that then lose her to a piece of rope. She never chewed on the carpet scratchers either. Should I get rid of the sisal?

Thanks,
Derek

I would say that sounds dangerous. When my cat got sick, they thought he had an obstraction (he didn't). The Dr. said the cat could eat a peace of string and get an obstraction and then I would have to take him for surgery. I know the condo is nice and it sucks, but if she gets an obstraction, you would spend tons of money on surgery, enough to buy a whole bunch of condos without the sisal rope. If they can get an obstraction from a string, I presume the same thing can happen if she eats a peace of rope, so, I would say, put the condo away or get her another one without the sisal. I have a condo with a sisal post, but never saw my cat eating on it.

Sisal is a natural fiber extracted from the long leaves of sisal plants, from what i can research over the net it appears safe for gnawing on. The danger would come from if a piece got lodged in the throat or something.

Originally Posted by Javern

Sisal is a natural fiber extracted from the long leaves of sisal plants, from what i can research over the net it appears safe for gnawing on.

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But what if she gets a long peace that acts like a string?

How about giving her some cat grass instead? There is an ad in The Market Place forum for this product, where you can order it. I would agree that though it is natural fiber, it isn't in its pure form and something could happen that would be unexpected and might mean a vet visit-

Thanks everyone who has replied to far (and so quickly). I basically thought the same thing elizwithcat mentioned. If a long piece gets in, could it raise havoc? If it's digestible, maybe not, but is it?

As far as cat grass. Sure, I can get some, but I don't think it'll stop her from eating sisal. It looks like she's taken on chewing pieces of sisal as part of the scratching ritual.

It'll be a bummer if I have to give that away. That thing was expensive! Anyone want a condo, lol?

To be honest, I just trim any bits/strands of sisal that get loose from my guys scratching this part of their condo's, with a pair of scissors, and keep an eye out that there aren't any strands.