I'm in the middle of a move. Because it's local, its been a little bit protracted. Virtually all of my furniture and stuff is moved to the new place except for a few work clothes and the cats (and cat box and food bowels). I've kept a couple of toys for them at the old place, but their cat condo, scratching pad and all the places they liked to hide and play are gone. I'll move the three of us this week. Yesterday, I found at least four small areas of hairball vomit residue. In two of them were several little pieces of kitty litter. They do throw up hairballs from time to time, but I've never seen this much and never kitty litter. Obviously, if someones eating kitty litter, they are going to be sick. Do you think once we get through the move everybody will be fine or do you think this could be a trip to the vet issue?
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Moving Anxiety?
- Thread starter luvmybirmans
- Start Date
Cats eat strange things sometimes...my cat ate a string that was 12 inches long off a toy and passed it....i was shocked when i saw it! I wouldnt be alarmed about your cat eating strange items...just be sure to give'em hairball treatment! Good luck with your move!
Sounds like Moving Anxiety to me. The litter pieces may just be from them licking their paws. I would try to get everything set up and peaceful as soon as possible. Moving is very stressful for cats (as well as humans).
We're in the process of moving right now and unfortunately Patches is reacting bad to it already. We've changed furniture around an boxed up a lot of things. She reacts bad to change...to the point that she hisses and at anything. We keep her calm by using Kitty Calm.
If you cats are still throwing up hairballs excessively a week after everything has settled, then yes, you should take them to the vet. Otherwise just be reassuring and pay lots of attention to them!
We're in the process of moving right now and unfortunately Patches is reacting bad to it already. We've changed furniture around an boxed up a lot of things. She reacts bad to change...to the point that she hisses and at anything. We keep her calm by using Kitty Calm.
If you cats are still throwing up hairballs excessively a week after everything has settled, then yes, you should take them to the vet. Otherwise just be reassuring and pay lots of attention to them!
Cats sometimes will become stressed with any changes, i.e. things are missing from your place of stay right now, and vomiting is also a sign of the new stress...but keep a close eye on them...
Sorry, but I have to disagree with this. I would be extremely worried if my cat were eating strange things. The kitty was very lucky that it was able to safely pass a 12 inch string. String can cause very serious problems!
Eating litter can be a sign of anemia. But with the move it would be hard to tell if it is anxiety or not. I would contact the vet and let them know what's going on and let them decided if they think you need to bring them in. In the meantime you might want to invest in a Feliway diffuser to help make the transition a little easier. I had one with Dori when we moved and it was a lifesaver.
It is absolutely not safe for your kitty to be eating inedible objects. Your kitty is blessed to not have developed an intestinal obstruction due to ingesting the string.
To the very best of my ability, I keep my home kitty proofed, and this includes preventing access to objects such as string, yarn, tooth floss, even the ribbon from a cassette tape. If you are concerned your kitty has ingested a foreign object, a Vet visit is definitely in order.
I think what i said was taken totally wrong...all i meant was that sometimes animals eat stuff thats not food. I wasnt saying it's completly normal for cats to eat strings.....yes i was very scared and shocked that she wasnt hurt...i dont think its safe for cats to just eat everything (non-food) and it be okay. They play with objects and sometimes they can be digested (i try my best to not let that happen)...but that's all i meant.
Sorry if my post was miscommunicated.
Sorry if my post was miscommunicated.
We knew you would never allow your kitty to eat non food items! We just wanted to be sure that message rang clear to all of our other members, as well!
Originally Posted by dawnofsierra
We knew you would never allow your kitty to eat non food items! We just wanted to be sure that message rang clear to all of our other members, as well!
Originally Posted by dawnofsierra
We knew you would never allow your kitty to eat non food items! We just wanted to be sure that message rang clear to all of our other members, as well!
That being said, I don't think swallowing a strange object was necessarily the problem in this case.
Any update on the kitties now?
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #11
I'm taking them to the vet tomorrow. We all arrived on Friday night in the new place. The girls were noticably scared and I petted them and contained them in the laundry room. They both pooped Friday night. They haven't eaten since. Either or them. It's Monday night and I am very worried. I know they have drank some water because they have peed. But it appears that they haven't touched their food since Friday evening and, no poops. They are running around now. Why won't they eat?
Moving is very unsettling for them. It could be all of the change, or it could be that they are sick. It is so important for them to eat though. I am concerned they have not eaten since Friday, that's 3 days.
Are they hydrated? Pinch their fur up a bit at their neck, does it fall back into place quickly or slowly? If slowly they are dehydrated and need to see a vet ASAP. Hepatic Lipidosis could set in and that's very hard for them to recover from. Please call your vet and have them seen.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #13
The hair on the back of their necks seems to fall back normally. I ran out an bought some rotisserie chicken which they usually like, but they aren't eating it. They actually ate a few pieces of treats, but none of their food. I looked up hepatic lipidosis and am very worried. It said this could occur in three days. Other than not eating, do you know if there are any other symptoms?
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #14
Quick update. I took them to the vet this morning. He said they have a fever of 103 and gave them a shot of antibiotic and a steroid. He said we will take their temp tomorrow morning to see what to do next. I still don't think they've eaten anything.
Did the vet keep them overnight? I hope it isn't anything serious... Did the vet mention anything about feeding them with an iv? Please keep us updated, I am keeping you and the kitties in my thoughts.
