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It is always tricky when a cat swallows a rubber band. There is a chance that nothing will happen; the cat will just pass the rubber band in their stool. However, they could end up with severe intestinal blockage and complications that could be deadly.
The first thing to do is ensure they can’t swallow any more rubber bands. Then, call your vet, follow their advice, and monitor them.
The Problem With Rubber Bands
What will happen if your cat swallows a rubber band? Small rubber bands are hopefully less of a concern than larger ones. However, if your cat has swallowed a particularly large rubber band, you might need to be on alert.
- It passes through in their feces
- They choke on it
- It gets stuck around their tongue and dangles down their throat
- It lodges in their GI tract, causing an obstruction
- It moves through their intestines and gets stuck
- Causes bowel issues, like constipation or diarrhea
What to Do Right Away
Calling your vet to check in right away is always a good idea. Depending on the situation, the vet’s advice might change. They might want to find the rubber band and check that it is not stuck in the throat. They might also try to retrieve it. It depends on the situation.
But they will likely advise you to monitor and watch your cat carefully. If your cat passes the rubber band without an issue, the problem is solved! And, sometimes, bringing a cat in for a physical exam before anything has happened stresses the cat out more which can cause them not to poop, which is the opposite of what you want to encourage.
- A Word About Monitoring the Cat: It can feel like you aren’t doing anything for your cat when you are just monitoring them. However, monitoring and identifying problems are crucial tasks.
Watching for changes in your cat gives them time to resolve the issue without the extra stress of going to the vet. But it also means if something goes wrong, you will know right away and be able to act quickly.
Inspect the Mouth and Throat
If you can safely do it, check if the rubber band is stuck in their mouth. A cat’s tongue is spiked with prongs that point backward so that stringy objects (like rubber bands) can get stuck and can’t be spit back out.
If the rubber band gets stuck around the tongue, eating, drinking, and possibly breathing becomes very difficult. It could even dangle off the tongue down the throat, making it even more uncomfortable.
- Gagging
- Coughing
- Not eating
- Rubbing at face and mouth
- Choking
- Collapse
You might not be able to see it if the rubber band is stuck on the tongue. Cats are not always amenable to saying “Ahhh” and opening wide for you to get a good look. So, if you can’t see it but your cat is doing any of the above, take them to the vet so they can help.
Don’t Pull It Out
If you can see the rubber band in your cat’s throat, do not yank it out! Pulling it out could cause severe tissue damage in the throat or even tear the tongue. Tongues and throats bleed a lot, and it could turn into an absolute mess.
Especially if it is dangling down the throat, pulling it up and out could tear it if it gets tangled. Imagine pulling a belt through your pant loops; it doesn’t always go smoothly without everything bunching up into a big knot.
However, if your cat is choking and struggling to breathe, try to remove the rubber band. Be gentle and try not to hurt your cat’s tongue. Use your fingers to tease the rubber band out and hold their mouth wide open with your non-dominant hand.
If your cat is not choking, bringing them to the vet, where they can safely and gently remove the rubber band, is the best option.
Even if your cat is not showing any signs of discomfort or obstruction, a vet could provide more advice and answer any lingering questions you may have.
Other Signs to Look For
1. Stomach Problems
The next place a rubber band could get caught is in the stomach. If it gets stuck in the stomach and causes an obstruction, your cat will likely start vomiting, not eating, and showing other signs of foreign body obstruction.
A rubber band stuck in the stomach forms an obstruction so that food and water cannot pass. Sometimes, it causes a partial obstruction, so only some of the food slides past. This is uncomfortable and can escalate quickly into an emergency, especially if they constantly vomit.
2. Intestine Problems
Next, the rubber band could get stuck in the intestines. It could also form a simple blockage, like a clogged sink drain. However, it could get more complicated.
A rubber band, particularly one that has torn and is now a rubber string, can snake along the intestine. When the intestine naturally moves and contracts, the rubber band tangles the intestine in and over itself. It can bunch up, like pushing your sleeve up your arm, or twist around, creating a twist or a knot, like a kinked hose.
These blockages are very dangerous because the walls of the intestine are overly stretched, and the blood supply is cut off. The walls of the intestine can start to die off. And the contents of the intestines can leak out of the weakened walls.
If this happens, your cat will need immediate surgery to fix the problem. So, carefully monitor for the following signs and bring them to the vet if you notice any.
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Painful belly
- Sad and lethargic
- Inappetence
3. Colon Problems
Once a rubber band reaches the colon, it only has to pass through to be free and clear.
However, it could also cause constipation, even if your cat eventually passes it. Your main task will be to monitor for signs of constipation and examine the feces for signs of the rubber band.
If you see any of the signs listed below, take your cat to the vet. If the rubber band comes out partially (hanging out of the anus), do not forcefully pull it out. If it is stuck in the colon and you pull it, you could tear the colon as you stretch the band.
- Straining in the litter box
- Abnormally small poop
- Small dry poop
- Diarrhea
- No feces
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Should I feed them anything to encourage the rubber band to move along?
My first advice would be NOT to change their diet. Just keep them on their regular diet. Too many cats have food sensitivities, allergies, or delicate stomachs that get upset when their diet changes suddenly, which creates its own problem and makes the rubber band situation worse.
Sometimes a vet will advise feeding a laxative or extra fiber to move it along. But I wouldn’t do this without veterinary advice and consideration of your cat’s sensitivities.
You don’t want to trigger gastroenteritis—inflammation of the stomach and intestines—or have a rubber band floating through it.
What should I do if it’s stuck in the stomach?
This is where your monitoring skills come into play. If your cat has swallowed a rubber band and they start vomiting or showing other signs, take them to the vet right away. The sooner, the better.
If it is stuck in the stomach, the vet may be able to retrieve it with an endoscope or perform surgery. They might also try inducing vomiting. Depending on the situation, there are a couple of treatments.
Will the body digest a rubber band?
No, the body will not digest or dissolve the rubber band. It will remain intact throughout the digestive tract until it is pooped out or surgically removed (hopefully not).
The teeth might tear it so that it turns into a rubber string, but it is likely to be largely unaffected by its journey through the stomach, intestines, and colon.
Final Thoughts
If your cat swallows a rubber band, it can be a frustrating and scary situation. If the rubber band is small enough, it might just pass through your cat undigested without causing any harm. Carefully examine your cat’s poop to know when it has passed.
But if it is too big, forms a tangled string, or otherwise gets stuck, the situation can quickly turn into a life-threatening emergency. Practice your monitoring skills and learn what is normal or abnormal for your cat.
Cats can hide their sickness for a long time. So, the more you are at watching them, their eating habits, their pooping habits, and their overall comfort, the more likely you are to catch a problem as early as possible. Monitoring is a group effort involving your family and a vet. Work together for your cat’s health, and never allow your cat to play with rubber bands without watching them like a hawk.
See Also:
- My Cat Ate String, What Should I Do? (Vet Answer)
- My Cat Ate a Hair Tie: What Should I Do? (Vet Answer)
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay
2 Responses
My cat swallowed a rubber band. It was small this was on 12/24. He seems alright.
What should we do?
Hello Rita,
thank you for your question. Sorry to hear about what happened to your cat.
If your cat has swallowed a rubber band, even if it was small and your cat appears fine, it’s essential to remain vigilant as foreign objects can lead to serious health issues like intestinal blockages. Monitor your cat closely for signs of discomfort, including vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, difficulty passing stool, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or bloating. Avoid inducing vomiting, as the rubber band could become lodged or cause damage during regurgitation. Check your cat’s litter box to see if the rubber band passes naturally; if it doesn’t within 24–48 hours, or if you notice concerning signs, contact your veterinarian.
If you feel unsure and wish to speak to a vet online to determine the urgency of your cat’s case, please don’t hesitate to contact http://www.resources.pangovet.com.