Help! Enzo Ate An Elastic Hair Tie!

He ate it around 3pm today. I called the vet and they pretty much said to just keep an eye on him, make sure he's pooping/eating/drinking. I found one in a pile of vomit about a month ago, so this isn't his first time making a meal of my hair ties. They are very thin elastic. I didn't know he ate the one a few months ago until I found it in his puke so I don't have a timeline as to when he ate it and when he threw it up.

Is it likely that he will just poop this out? Or vomit, I'm just thinking if that's how he was going to expel it he'd have thrown it up by now (it's almost 12 hours later). Is there a timeframe in which I should take him to the vet even if everything is normal? I have no idea how long it might take to pass. If anyone has any insight I'd appreciate it! I'm pretty worried.

If you talked to the vet and they said keep an eye out then if you don't see anything tonight I would call them in the morning. In the morning ask how long they would wait to see if kitty vomits it up or passes it before you should bring kitty in? Is there anything in the meantime they would recommend to help kitty (say a laxative)?

The concern is an obstruction and/or preforation. Your vet can do an xray to check location, possibly laxative. Surgery is the final option but that is not a first treatment, that would be the vet determined it's life threatening.

If you do see it partially sticking out the cats butt do not pull it. It can cause damage. Call your vet to get instructions, they may say just see if kitty finishes passing it or bring kitty in.

You've done a good job already calling your vet.

Thank you so much! I did ask them how long I should wait and she said if there are no obstructions and he's acting totally normal to give it "some time". I will likely call back tomorrow to see if I can get a better idea. She seemed very unconcerned which caught me off guard. I will definitely make sure not to pull it out. If he doesn't poop tomorrow I'll get him a laxative, I'm just not sure how long it will take to move to him stomach. Thank you again!

Here's an article that might help.
Did Your Cat Eat Something Weird?

10-24 hours to pass through the system at a regular time frame. It could take longer. Keep an eye out to make sure kitty is still pooping, eating and drinking even if not passed in 24 hours.

Awesome that's really helpful! Thank you again!

My vet said once that if you think they ate something to give them either pumpkin or asparagus. The fiber will help bind whatever they ate and help it pass.

Looks like it's happened to TCS cats before: Cat ate rubber band!

Hopefully he passes it without fanfare.

MeganLLB , I have a call into the vet to see if Laxatone might work (the stuff for hairballs). He had a bout of constipation a few years ago and wouldn't touch the pumpkin. I doubt asparagus would be much better, yuck lol. Thank you for the ideas! Maybe I can try syringe feeding with pumpkin if the laxatone isn't an option. Thanks again!

ty3535 said:

MeganLLB , I have a call into the vet to see if Laxatone might work (the stuff for hairballs). He had a bout of constipation a few years ago and wouldn't touch the pumpkin. I doubt asparagus would be much better, yuck lol. Thank you for the ideas! Maybe I can try syringe feeding with pumpkin if the laxatone isn't an option. Thanks again!

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I mixed it with some lactose free milk and made a pumpkin milkshake and she drank it. Good luck!

Just an update! A few days later he puked the whole thing up intact with no problems other than the expected discomfort as he horked it up. Thanks so much for the help!

That's great!

Now make sure you keep those hair ties under lock and key. You know he likes those!

That's great to hear!