In some cases, the Cornell Feline Health Center notes, frequent gagging may be a sign of a gastrointestinal problem or a respiratory ailment like asthma. Hairballs can also be a sign of underlying gastrointestinal disease. If your cat hacks up a hairball more than once a week or so, talk to your vet about starting her on a hairball control food or other regimen that will keep wads from forming. A hairball that won't come up could lead to serious medical problems if it becomes trapped and blocks the digestive track. This isn't a choking emergency, but it's uncomfortable for your furry friend. When your kitty throws up a hairball, for example, she coughs until the pesky wad of hair comes up. In rare cases your cat could be hacking and gasping because of an underlying health issue. Consider it an emergency situation and contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your cat has swallowed string. You could damage her throat or intestines. If your cat has a string hanging out of her mouth (or rectum) says Animal Planet, do not try to pull it out. The two of you can enjoy supervised playtime with the popular fishing pole-style toys, but tuck them out of reach when your cat is out of your sight.ĭespite the common image of a cute kitten playing with a ball of yarn, it's not safe for your cat to play with any kind of string or ribbons - they are choking hazards. Opt for larger toys like balls, toy mice or crumpled pieces of paper that are larger than your cat's mouth. Avoid toys that have dangling decorations like feathers, bells and googly eyes. She may have fun doing it, but it only takes a second for those objects to become stuck in her throat. Never let your kitty play with trash like wadded-up aluminum foil or plastic bags. Craft supplies like pom-poms and pipe cleanersĬurious cats will go exploring when you're not home, so store your stuff in a pet-proof location.Take a walk through your home and think like a cat: What's small, shiny and could be easily swallowed? Common choking hazards include: ![]() After you remove the obstruction, bring your cat to the nearest emergency veterinary clinic immediately.Įliminating cat choking hazards in the first place is a key way to keep your pet safe. Tap your hand firmly against her back and check her mouth again. ![]() If your first set of blows doesn't dislodge the object, says PetCoach, hold your cat up by her back hips with her head down and gently sweep her mouth again. Use your hands to gently but firmly push on her belly in a succession of quick, upward thrusts, about five times. Cat Heimlich: When performing a cat Heimlich maneuver you hold your kitty with her back against your chest and her feet hanging.If you don't see anything in her mouth or cannot conduct a safe sweep, move on to the Heimlich maneuver. Look inside her mouth while you're checking for an object to avoid pushing anything farther down her throat, says Cat-World Australia, and gently pull her tongue forward to check the back of her throat. Mouth sweep: First, gently open your cat's jaws and sweep her mouth with your index finger to see if you can remove the obstruction. ![]() If there is an obstruction, you will need to follow two steps. If it's simply a hairball, she will have it out in a few seconds. If you see your cat choking, try to remain as calm as possible while you determine whether or not her airway is really blocked. Sometimes a cat choking incident is caused by a hairball that she can't expel, but accidents are more often the result of an object (food, hair tie or plastic toy) lodged in her throat. From performing the cat Heimlich maneuver to preventing choking accidents, learn some important ways to help your cat in a crisis. When a pet emergency occurs, it's important to know what to do in the moment of distress.
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