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Cats/My cat(s) ate some plastic wrap pieces, should I send them to vet?

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Expert: - 11/23/2011


Question
Hello Norm,

Last night after I slept, my two cats managed to break into my kitchen cabinet and stole one can of cat food. It's a small plastic can, with the top cover made of material similar to plastic candy wrap but just a bit thicker (the MeowMix can, if you happen to know). I discovered it on kitchen floor this morning, with top cover, and of course, the content, all gone. I don't know who did that (possibly both involved in the crime), and when that happened.

It's fine if they want to help themselves with some extra meal, but I'm worried about the missing plastic cover. I saw two large pieces on the floor, but they only make up to half the cover. And the other half is nowhere to be seen. I'm afraid they chewed the other half into small pieces in order to open the can, and then swallowed these pieces. I really don't know how I should react. Should I take it easy and hope they will come out with poop, or should I bring them to the vet to have a check?

They look normal this morning. I gave them half amount of their regular meal, since they already had a can, and they ate the food with no problem. They haven't pooped yet, though. They usually do it in the morning before I leave for work. Could they get a blockage or constipation because of those plastics?

Help please, I'm really at lost. Thank you so much!

Warm regards,
Yingying

Answer
Yingying,

Oh my!!! Cats can get themselves into such trouble!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I would have them checked out by your vet!  Take the pieces of the lid with you so the vet has some idea of what they may be looking for. It may turn out to be nothing, but why take the chance.

Please let me know what happens.

Concerned regards... Norm.

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Norman Auspitz

Expertise

I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.

Experience

I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.


Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.

Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook

Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.

Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.

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