Linear foreign body in cats
Also known as Cat swallowed string, Intestinal obstruction.
Thread, ribbon, tinsel or hair ties that a cat swallows and that bunch up the intestine like an accordion. It is a surgical emergency.
Never pull on a thread coming out of the mouth or anus: it can cut the intestine. Go to the vet.
- System
- Digestive system
- Is it urgent?
- Usually
- Spreads to other cats
- No
- Spreads to people
- No
- Typical cost in Spain
- Surgery and hospitalisation, €1,000–3,000.
Symptoms
- Repeated vomiting
- Not eating
- A thread visible under the tongue or coming out of the anus
- Abdominal pain
- Listlessness
Causes
Playing with thread, wool, cords, tinsel, gift ribbon, hair ties or dental floss.
How it is diagnosed
Checking under the tongue, X-rays and ultrasound.
Treatment
Surgery to remove it and repair the intestine.
No doses, on purpose: any medicine must be prescribed by your vet for your cat.
Prognosis
Good if operated on early; worse if the intestine has already perforated.
Prevention
Put away thread, wool and hair ties, and do not leave toys with string within reach without supervision.
Frequently asked questions
What causes linear foreign body?
Playing with thread, wool, cords, tinsel, gift ribbon, hair ties or dental floss.
Can linear foreign body be cured?
Good if operated on early; worse if the intestine has already perforated. Surgery to remove it and repair the intestine.
How much does it cost to treat linear foreign body?
As a guide for Spain in 2026: Surgery and hospitalisation, €1,000–3,000. Prices vary a lot between clinics and cities, and out-of-hours emergencies cost more.
How can linear foreign body be prevented?
Put away thread, wool and hair ties, and do not leave toys with string within reach without supervision.
More in digestive system
Educational content from Michipedia. It does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a vet: if you have any doubt about your cat's health, ask. Costs are a guide for Spain in 2026.