Help! My cat ATE part of a palm Branch!!!

Hello all-

What do I do? I have hear that this is very dangerous. Is this true? He ate a very small and skinny piece, 2 inches long. I am really scared. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am not familiar with Palms, but to be safe please call a vet. Many have 24 emergency phone services. Hope kitty is O.K.

What type of palm? What part?
I collect many species of palms and cannot recollect any that are toxic, but it wouldn't hurt to call the Animal Poison Hotline 888-232-8870 just in case.
Or (888) 4ANIHELP (426-4435).

I've looked at at least five different lists of toxic plants now, and none of them mention palm at all.
Is your cat acting ill or oddly? Sometimes when cats eat something weird they'll puke and then be fine, like when Zissou ate a contact lens (I called the vet, and they said just to watch her, he couldn't imagine there being anything bad about it). Some of the cat poison control lines charge money, so you may consider also simply calling your veterinarian, since if it is toxic, you'll end up there with the cat anyway.

Originally Posted by Zissou'sMom

I've looked at at least five different lists of toxic plants now, and none of them mention palm at all.
Is your cat acting ill or oddly? Sometimes when cats eat something weird they'll puke and then be fine, like when Zissou ate a contact lens (I called the vet, and they said just to watch her, he couldn't imagine there being anything bad about it). Some of the cat poison control lines charge money, so you may consider also simply calling your veterinarian, since if it is toxic, you'll end up there with the cat anyway.

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Errr... how did Zizzou eat a contact lense?

Doesnt it make you wonder what goes through their minds sometimes!

I know the palm isn't poisonous but I fear it may get stuck in his digestive track?

Ah, I see what you mean now...

I would definitely call your vet. It may be that the stomach acid breaks down the fiber well enough to be not a threat, or it may be that it is like yarn or something and you will need to take your cat in for x-rays to see if anything's gone wrong. The concern is that it gets wrapped around the intestines, creating a blockage. Alot of cats will pass yarn and such with no problems, but there's always that chance. Is the cat (what is his/her name, btw?) acting in pain or ill? Purring can be a sign of pain. Also, cats hide it really well when they're sick, so even the slightest oddness in behavior can be a bad sign. I would call your vet ASAP, or the nearest one who is open on a Sunday. If you see a piece poking out of either end, DO NOT pull on it.
The reason we all immediately thought toxic was because so many plants are toxic to cats, and because usually when they eat them that is what we worry about... not too many plants have anything similar to fibers that make up something similar to string that could be eaten by a cat.

Maverick Kitten, I was changing out my contacts like every month, and Zissou, of course, had to be "helping" like she does with everything, and I put the old soft contacts down on the sink edge. My cell rang, and I went to grab it, and came back and she had eaten one of the contacts and was in the process of eating the second. I managed to get the one out of her mouth, at least. When I called the vet, the tech who answered the phone could hardly stop laughing long enough to go ask the vet to make sure it was okay. Vet said the worst it could do was make her puke, and she'd be fine. I think it must have tasted salty, or something. The solution is to remove protein, so I guess it kind of makes sense?

Thanks for your advice Zissou's mom. "Gumi" seems to be fine, he ate the palm at 8:30am but I have no idea how long it takes to go through the digestive system.

not too many plants have anything similar to fibers that make up something similar to string that could be eaten by a cat.

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That's why I asked about species and what part of the plant he had eaten. The leaves of most will digest but the petiole and /or the shaft of a few species of palms are very dense- I've had them remain undecomposed after a year in a compost bin.

If it were me I would watch the cat obsessively- especially litterbox activity. I would occasionally feel her abdomen for tenderness. As long as she is pooping and not tender in the gut she is likely fine. If anything seems the slightest bit off then I would see my vet asap.
However- I am comfortable with my ability to observe. If you are not then see a vet regardless of the lack of any symptoms if only for your own peace of mind.

Thanks for the advice. It's been 6 hours since he ate the small piece and again he seems fine. You know the palm leaves they give out on palm Sunday? That's what he ate a small piece of.

Please let us know when he poops it out.

I pray he is ok.

I know very little about Palm Sunday observations, but I do seem to remember smallish palm leaves- not a whole huge frond like you would thatch a roof with. Probably little Parlor Palms or date palms- were the leaves like 12-18 inches, not several feet long?
If so I think you'll be fine.

But on the off chance that a blockage does develop it might take a day or more for symptoms to appear. Just stay aware!
Good luck.

I will all keep you posted. i wanted to say "thank you" for all your help as well as your concern!

Don't leave us in suspense, did he poop it out?!

My cat does that! He's pretty dim and eats leaves and pretty much anything that's on the floor!! Mostly small things and not plastic or anything, but I have to watch him constantly!

Most palms are not poisonous, but Sago palms are EXTREMELY toxic. Make sure your pets don't eat any part of these