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How long does it usually take a cat to pass a ribbon or a piece of thread? I'm watching my cat carefully because she may have swallowed a piece of thread. How many days till I know she is in the clear?

How long does it usually take a cat to pass a ribbon or a piece of thread? I'm watching my cat carefully because she may have swallowed a piece of thread. How many days till I know she is in the clear?

Updated On December 20th, 2017

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Female | spayed | 1 year old | 6 lbs

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Answered By Kevin Sanada, DVM

Veterinarian

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Normal GI transit time is 3-5 days, so usually you'll see it within a week of ingestion. Ribbons and thread definitely have potential to get stuck and cause damage to the intestines; so if you happen to notice any vomiting, diarrhea, or drastic decrease in activity before these pass, then I recommend taking her to the vet as soon as possible for an evaluation. I hope that helps and all is well with Penny.

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