A cat that won't stop finding and eating Strings!

[xmelax35]

I don't know how he keeps finding them, as I thought I had the fishing string hid and hanging strings on their cat tree and such cut off! Our Samuel, keeps finding strings places or it is the same sting still coming out.  Okay here it is in order:

1) one day he had something hanging out his mouth! Here it was a piece of fishing line!!!! We got it out and luckily it cam out easy so there was no fish hook. We were scared as it was after Vet hours. He was fine.

2.) Days later, something was hanging out his butt!!!! It was string of some sort (thinking from the cat play tree). My husband pulled it out (really not wanting to but again, it was after Vet hours).   Sam was okay!

3.) Well, tonight again something hanging out his butt! He had another string coming out. We hope it was all of it.  He acts fine and is playing and eating. He has quite an appetite all the time.  

We have had him to the vet 2 times recently for different issues. We have to make another appt for this to make sure there is no more string in his intestines. This is very scary!  As I explained, I don't know where he is finding these strings! I cut around the carpets and I cut on the cat tree. Unless he is unraveling it somehow and eating it.

How do you get a cat to quit eating strings? His brothers don't do this! I have never had a cat in my life that ate strings so much. This is scary! I think so far if a cat does have 9 lives, he's used about 6 of his! He is going to cost us an arm in leg at the vet...or he is going to eat one, one day and it will be the one that kills himself. He is such a wonderful little guy and I don't want anything to happen to him.

Any advice, would be appreciated so much!

Thanks ahead of time!

[Ukneedamassage]

I don't know if anyone is answering or looking at this string of comments about string but I didn't know either about PICA until I read your reply. My cat has eaten string forever and we just don't leave anything around.  She finds it as well.....or worse now....MAKES it but snagging my nice blanket throws. She's eaten the fringe off an expensive rug even though I tuck it under at the ends.... My blankets can't come out until this 18 year old (still youthful) kitty decides it's time to pass from this world.  It's been an interesting life with her. Shedding and eating string.... but I had another that loved to unroll the toilet paper. I don't know how to keep her from snagging woven blankets and creating string to chew on.  

[xmelax35]

I went around the house and found all the possibly able to get bigger or longer strings and cut them. I saw him trying to eat a wrapping bow string (whatever those are called - this brain of mine - still have bad memory/concentration issues - brain surgery did not work evidently). Anyway, I got it away from him and put away. Yeh, I don't know how he finds this stuff!  I think the last string I told you about came from the cat climer (cat tree).  Called the vet and will be taking him next week. I love that boy and just don't want anything to happen to him (nor our other little guys).

[skepticalpeach]

One of my kitties has PICA too. Her favorite is plastic bags, but she also eats strings. The best thing we can do is keep all that out of reach. I know they are so good at finding ones that we missed though. We trained our service dog to stop her from chewing and that has worked quite well. He's so gentle with the kitties and all he has to do is stand over her and she'll stop.

[AnnieBrooke]

Obviously you wouldn't confuse fishing line for anything else, since it's made of nylon, but if the subsequent string is looking different, just be sure you aren't pulling roundworms out of his butt.

[opus88]

hi....I didn't know such a condition existed until another member (Bkitty) brought it to our attention awhile ago. her kitty Beener also has this problem and there is an actual disease/syndrome that is called PICA...you can google it for more info, I will send you one site that I have..you will have to 'cat proof' your house especially from all forms of string...a small amount would pass but there could also be issues with blockages..so you will have to be very dilengent abt watching this kitty. give him lots of toys and lots of interaction to help keep his mind off of chewing string, if I find more info I'll post it for you. keep us updated...ps watch his poops today and tomorrow to see if he passes it..:))

http://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/unusual-cat-cravings