Anyone know what to do about eating string?

[gymnastjul]

Hi I am Julie and I got my first cat about three months ago. I love him to pieces but I have a few questions of some strange things he does. Chevy likes to actually eat string from shoes, sweatshirts, pillow fringe, carpet...you name it, if it dangles he eats it. I have tried to prevent it as much as possible but I can't take out the carpet! I have had to get his stomach pumped once because of a lodged knot of shoelace and I am at a loss! Does any of your cats do that? I will try to send a picture sometime. Chevy is a handsome kitty. Thanks

[Yzma]

Bobbie eats string too... We have tried our best to cat proof and have as such managed to curb her string habit. If after doing so, your carpet remains the only problem perhaps you could try spritzing it with something like lemon juice. Or something your cat doesn't like that is not toxic or poisonous... The nasty taste might make the carpet less appealing. Your carpet may be wool and a lot of cats do develop a wool habit... If you ever consider recarpeting avoid Wiltons Axminsters and any loop-pile carpets. Apparently the most cat proof type is tufted cut pile velvet in which the carpet tufts are punched into a non-woven membrane.

[MA]

There is a term for cats who eat strange things. They call it pica and some believe it is a chemical imbalance, while others believe there is something lacking in the diet. You an do a search on the internet through Google for pica and there are some excellent websites about it. I have even seen a support group for people whose cats do eat strange things. I would be sure to give this cat lots of fiber in the diet, and try and keep the strings and threads away from him if at all possible.

[davet]

regardless of the cause of cats eating string or the fact that string is available...string can be lethal ie if a small portion gets stuck in the gut and the rest tries to pas it will saw right through the intestinal wall....is very difficult to diagnose because the string will not come close to showing up on x-ray....do your best to prevent it...i once had a cat come in with thread hanging out it=s rear end...very slowly pulled on it and found it had a sewing needle attached...string pulled the needle through wthout damage but it could have been a close one...regardless of the cause do your best to keep string away

[Yzma]