Is Yarn Safe for Cats? Everything You Need to Know About Cats and Yarn
Many people consider the yarn ball to be the most traditional and classic cat toy. While I can’t deny that cats often turn into excited kittens at the sight of string, this seemingly harmless game carries some serious risks! Is yarn safe for cats? Today I’m going to dig into everything you need to know about cats and yarn…
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As a cat owner, there’s nothing that we want more than to give our pets the happy, healthy life that they deserve.
Is there anything that brings a bigger smile to your face than seeing your cat rolling around on the floor, playing with their favourite toy(s)?
Regardless of how old your cat is, the right toy will reveal that they are still a kitten at heart!
Photos and artwork of cats playing with balls of yarn date back generations.
There is no denying that cats LOVE all things string related, however, you may want to think twice about what you’re giving your furry friend for playtime.
As popular as the ball of yarn is, the risks far outweigh the benefits!
Let’s dig into why cats love string so much and the risks associated with cats and yarn. Plus, at the end, I’m going to share some great alternatives.
Related: ‘How to Stop Your Cat from Scratching Furniture‘
Why Do Cats Love String?
If you’re reading this and thinking ‘but my cat LOVES playing with yarn and string’, you’re not alone.
Cats are natural hunters. The presence of yarn, ribbon and other string-like toys trigger those predatory instincts.
Regardless of how long cats have been domesticated, they are still hunters at heart.
Strings feed into your cat’s need to stalk, pounce and thrash, all skills that were (at one time) beneficial in finding and hunting its prey.
This is why we see our cats go crazy over hair ties, shoelaces, rubber bands, cords, and, of course, the ball of yarn.
The truth is that there are some benefits to this type of play…
Hunting and stalking helps to fine-tune a cat’s motor skills while also providing the opportunity for exercise and mental stimulation.
All of these things are necessary for your cat to live a happy, healthy life.
Is Yarn Safe for Cats?
After reading the benefits, many cat owners are left asking the question: Is yarn safe for cats?
I’m sharing today’s post in the hopes of highlighting some BIG risks.
Your cat may want to play with that string, but that doesn’t mean that it’s in their best interests!
There are 3 main risks to consider before handing over that ball of yarn…
Choking
If you’ve ever been kissed by a cat, you know how rough their tongue feels.
This is due to the fact that there are small barbs called ‘papillae’ all over their tongue designed to help with grooming as well as holding their prey.
These barbs are pointed towards the back of their mouths, preventing prey from escaping.
However, if the ‘prey’ is a piece of string, this can lead to some serious problems.
If your cat starts to swallow a piece of yarn or ribbon, your cat may be unable to dislodge it despite recognizing that they are in distress.
The rear-facing barbs work to hold the string in place.
Unable to spit it back out, the only thing left for your cat to do is to try to swallow it.
Related: ‘Easy Homemade Cat Treats with Pumpkin‘
Obstruction, Internal Entanglement
If your cat does swallow a piece of string, it can lead to a very serious obstruction within the gastrointestinal tract or other concerns in the digestive system.
These conditions often require surgery and are usually fatal if left unaddressed.
Your cat’s digestive system is designed to move food through the body using rhythmic contractions known as peristalsis.
However, if a string-like object moves through the system lengthwise, it can lead to problems. Especially if one end of the string gets caught along the way.
The intestines may begin to scrunch up similar to an accordion or even turn in on itself.
Picture a sock as you turn it inside out…
Another major risk occurs if the string gets tangled up inside the digestive tract.
It can wrap around parts of the cat’s body internally, cutting off blood flow to that area, causing parts of the digestive tract to die.
Alternatively, string has been known to cut through parts of the intestines.
Finally, there is the risk of an obstruction.
This is where the string becomes bunched up somewhere in the digestive tract, preventing food or waste from passing.
External Constriction or Strangulation
An additional risk to consider occurs without your cat even swallowing the string.
While playing with string, your cat may become entangled with the string wrapping around their throat or an appendage such as their paw or tail.
As your cat continues to play with the string, unaware of the growing concern, it may start to tighten.
If this occurs with the string around your cat’s throat, it can lead to strangulation.
Alternatively (and often overlooked) if the string is around an extremity like their tail or paw, it may cut off circulation in that are of the body.
This can lead to death of the tissues, requiring amputation.
What Should I Do if My Cat Swallows String?
If you notice that your cat has swallowed (or partially swallowed) a piece of string, resist the urge to pull it free!
The risks that I have outlined above are serious, however, they aren’t immediate.
Trying to pull the string free may lead to unnecessary damage of your cat’s esophagus and digestive tract.
If you suspect your cat has swallowed string, seek veterinary care immediately!
Signs that your cat may have swallowed string include:
- Vomiting or Dry Heaving
- Abdominal Pain
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Loss of Appetite
- Straining to Defecate
- Restlessness or Irritation
- Withdrawing or Hiding
The risks associated with swallowing string should be taken seriously.
If you even suspect that your cat may have swallowed string, or see any of the above signs for concern, contact your veterinarian ASAP.
Remember: Your veterinarian is a professional. They would rather you contact them with concerns and find that it’s nothing than wait for it to potentially turn fatal.
Related: ‘Get Rid of ‘Cat Smell’ For Good with These Tips‘
Playtime Solutions to Keep Your Cat Safe
#1 – Keep String-Like Items Safely Stored Away
I’m not going to tell you to never have string-like items in the house, that’s simply not realistic.
Instead, keep your cat safe by safely keeping these items stored away out of their reach.
Examples of items to pay attention to include balls of yarn (obviously), hair ties, ribbons, hair ties, rubber bands, thread, dental floss, shoelaces, tinsel and cords.
#2 – Pay Careful Attention to Scented Strings
When making dinner, be EXTRA careful about strings that come off food like chicken or roasts.
These strings carry an extra temptation for your cat due to the enticing scents.
Make sure that these strings are safely tucked away in a sealed garbage container as soon as you remove them.
#3 – Supervise Play with Toys with Strings
There are some cat-safe toys on the market that do include strings in their design.
Regardless of how much attention is put into constructing a cat-safe toy, these options should only be used when supervised.
Inspect your cat’s toys regularly for signs of damage and dispose of any toys that are starting to fall apart.
#4 – Select Non-String Toys
Purchase cat-friendly toys that don’t include the risk of strings for your cat.
These toys will provide the exercise, mental stimulation, and ‘hunting’ opportunities without any of the risks associated with string.
The key is to find the toys that your cat loves the most.
Just like humans, every cat is different! Try out different styles of toys and pay attention to which options ‘bring out the kitten’.
If your cat dislikes a toy that you bring home, don’t be discouraged! Just move on to the next option.
Examples of toys that are a huge hit in our house include:
- Chirping Plush Bird Toys
- Catnip-Filled Plush Toys
- Colourful Cat Springs
- Tower-style Track Toys
- Interactive Teaser Wands
- Mylar Crinkle Balls
- Interactive Laser Toys
If you prefer to go the DIY route, toys can be made out of household objects such as toilet paper rolls, felt or fleece materials, cardboard boxes and more.
Be cautious of any pieces that can be removed or ripped off, creating a choking hazard.
Coming back to the original question – Is Yarn Safe for Cats?
The answer is NO!
There are many safer alternatives available.
Were you aware of the risks associated with cats and yarn? What alternatives do you use in your home?
Wow! Because of images of yarn balls and cats, I never really thought about if it was safe!
That’s super common – there are a lot of people who wouldn’t think twice about giving their cat a ball of yarn simply because it’s such a well-known pairing.
I sadly don’t have cats, but you’ve clearly pointed out some advice here. I suppose as you said it can poise a risk. I’ll keep this in mind though for the future.
It’s a safety risk that is far too often overlooked! I hope that sharing this info will help to prevent at least one cat owner from having to learn the hard way.
This is a great post and a sensible one. People seem to forget that yarn and string can be dangerous to leave laying around in the open. Although this not give them the right to write abusive messages in Facebook threads when they see a picture of a kitten with yarn (yes seriously, it happens).
I know and have found my ball of yarn half way down the hallway but the cats don’t want to chew it, just wreak havoc when they find its hiding place * sigh *. Hmm maybe I have cats that are far too calculating!!
I’ve said that our cats are similar on many occasions, and this is another! I have to keep all my yarn in a locked cupboard to keep our troublemakers out.
Great post and I have never thought about it as such as like you said there are so many pictures out there with cats with yarn and when I had cats I used to give them yarn to play with so today I learned something, thank you
When I was younger, we used to laugh when the cats would take a ball of wool from my mother’s stash. However, we weren’t aware of how many risks were involved. Now that I know, everything is kept stored away in a locked cupboard to prevent our two cats from having any access.
Great post! I don’t a cat actually, I got dogs but I do like cats. Hopefully, in the future, I can own one so this is actually some useful info for me to know and definitely useful to cat owners right now.
Thank you
I have often wondered about this question! It always seemed that a cat’s papillae would get caught on the yarn and have potential for problems. Also the potential danger of having anything around your pet’s body or neck and accidentally causing trapping (or worse) is a huge red flag to me. Thanks – and will share!
Far too many risks to take a chance with it, in my opinion. I have plenty of yarn in the house for crafting, but it’s kept in a locked cupboard where they can’t get at it.
I never let my cat play with string as I always worry about her choking! I hope more cat owners read this post x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
It’s such a scary risk to take. Unfortunately, most people who run into this challenge, I believe, simply have never been told about what can happen. Yarn is such a commonly seen ‘cat toy’ that most cat owners honestly don’t know better.
I had learned about the risks of tinsel on Christmas trees years ago, and later learned that yarn or string can be even worse! I never knew about the barbs on cats’ tongues, that makes a lot of sense! My cat had gotten into a spool of sewing thread and that wasn’t good. I had to take her to the Vet because she was hacking. The Vet was able to get it out quickly, thank goodness. Another weird thing she got into once was a hairpin (bobby pin)! It never crossed my mind that she could pry one open and get it stuck in her mouth – what the heck!? That was a scary lesson learned for sure. Great post, thanks.
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Unfortunately, we often learn these lessons the hard way. Jinx is the scavenger in our house. I randomly find odds and ends around the house including (more recently) q-tips, makeup brushes, pencils, etc.
Great tips! I don’t have cats myself, but I knew about the potential issues surrounding internal entanglement thanks to my dogs. They think EVERYTHING is a toy, including string. I’ve always been super paranoid about leaving things like string, yarn, etc out where they can get it.
Our older girl Dav believes that everything is a toy too! She’s kept me on my toes over the years, discovering ‘new toys’ in the most unlikely places lol
Linear foreign bodies are the worst; for dogs and cats alike. It’s strange that yarn has been a cat toy for so long. Maybe somebody should come up with edible yarn toys. You know, if you can have edible panties, why not yarn? 🙂
That’s a great idea – you should patent it! If there was a safe, edible option, I would be all for letting my two indulge and have fun lol
Oh wow, Britt, I had NO idea about the risks of string and yarn toys. We haven’t had any for years now but I’ll make sure we never do now, this is scary. Loki likes destroying the toilet paper on the roll but I don’t think that’s dangerous – at least I hope not!
Jinx is also a fan of destroying toilet paper on the roll lol!
Just playing with it isn’t dangerous, but if they are eating it there is a risk of obstruction. Just something to keep an eye on!
I didn’t really think about what this could cause. I do not give my cats yarn and I try to pick up hair bands etc, but now I will definitely make sure. Thank you for sharing this information which is so helpful for lots of cats owners.
It’s surprising how something that’s so common to us, like hair bands or a ball of wool, can be so harmful to our pets. All we can do is our best to keep them safe.
No cats in my life but I’m sure I’ve read about yarn being bad for them before. The more I learn about different animals, it seems the vast majority of the time the things we typically associate with giving them are bad for them. It’s great that you could offer alternatives that they’ll love just as much though! x
That’s so true, isn’t it? It’s like rawhide bones and dogs. They are so commonly associated as being a great choice for our pups and yet carry far too many risks.
My oldest sister is a very accomplished knitter and weaver, as well as a cat lover. Thankfully, she warned me about cats and yarn when we first adopted our cat. I think it is important to educate people about this, I would not have known if not for her.
That’s the heartbreaking part – I firmly believe that in nearly all cases of this going wrong, people simply weren’t informed. With so many images pushing the cats and yarn narrative everywhere we turn, it’s not surprising that many people believe that it’s perfectly safe.
Many people don’t think about the damage of strings with cats. You also need to be vigilant in keeping wand toys out of reach once a play session ends.
Definitely! Wand toys are great interactive toys for cats and their owners, but they shouldn’t be left lying around for solo play. They require constant supervision.
Wow. I had absolutely no idea that yarns aren’t safe for cats. I do not have any cats but I have always thought that yarns were a perfect thing for cats. I learnt something from this and I’ll definitely use this info if I ever get a cat. Amazing post just like always x!
This is one of the biggest misconceptions out there. I feel like most people believe that yarn is safe, which is why it’s so important to spread the word!
I had no clue about this!? I am going to share this post with my sister for her lovely little cat Morty!
Rosie
I’m surprised that it isn’t discussed more often. With all the images of cats and yarn out there, it’s no wonder that so many cat lovers aren’t aware of the risks!
I would have never guessed that cat’s could be harmed by a ball of yarn, especially since a lot of media that features cats playing balls of yarn. I did have a cat once as a kid, but the neighbor stole it and we never got him back, and I’m not sure why.
I’m sorry that you had to go through that. It must have been hard.
As you mentioned, there are tons of depictions of cats with a ball of yarn, but I didn’t realize how harmful it can actually be for them.
My parents used to have a barn cat & we had cat-safe toys for her!
It’s surprising to see that it’s still an image that comes up so often despite the growing awareness of the risks, isn’t it?
Wonderful tips and definitely great advice. My cat Bubby will literally eat yarn, ribbon, or plastic if it is left out. Definitely not safe. He even tried to eat some foil decor we had for my daughters birthday. It just isn’t worth it to keep yarn or anything like it around. Our worst experience was when he managed to completely eat a Christmas bow . He was choking on it and we managed to get it out of him, but just barely. So along with babyproofing we have had to cat proof everything.
I totally understand the cat proofing struggle. Pippen has what my vet calls ‘obsessive licking disorder’ which leads her to lick EVERYTHING – I mean furniture, walls, items left sitting around… if she can reach it, she licks it. We have to keep that in mind and make sure that there’s nothing dangerous within her reach.
I never knew that yarn was so dangerous for cats. I will definitely be making sure to keep yarn and string away from my cat from now on! x
It’s a little-known risk that really needs to be talked about more often.
Wow I had no idea about all this! Definitely going to invest in some new toys! Thank you so much xxx
Cat toys are (luckily) incredibly low-cost if you’re just picking up the basics. Which is good, given that they have such a tendency to hide them lol