Is it true that if my cat eats tinsel (icicles) from my Christmas tree, that it could kill my cat?

Question

My tree just doesn't look finished or as pretty without icicles ! Say it isn't so !

Answer 1

Hi there... It's not good to have tinsel because it could become twisted within the intestinal tract when it bunches up and can even cut through the intestinal wall.

Here's articles on this:
http://www.galenorn.com/catscorner/ccholidays.htm
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1621 (see end of page)
http://www.holisticvets.com/NewsLetter/Burning/Burning%20Dogsv2.htm (see section Winter Stuff you need to Know)

Tinsel Kills Cats! Yes it does... so don't let your cats get anywhere near the tinsel. Most cats love it because its shiny and oh so tasty. But it gets stuck in the intestines and then makes the intestines accordion in on themselves. It requires surgery in most cases and can be often fatal. NOTE: if you see tinsel coming out your cats rear end, DON'T PULL IT [sic you'll pull the intestines out if you]. Bring her in the next day to the vet.

Answer 2

Christmas Tree Tinsel Icicles

Answer 3

Tinsel is the most dangerous ornament you could put on your tree. It is not digestible and can get wrapped around intestines and cause serious damage - just like yarn or string.

So though it might be pretty it would certainly spoil the family's Christmas if your cat needs emergency surgery to survive from "eating" some of it.

Answer 4

Well. Cats are quite prone to eating stringy things - even thread with a needle on the end isn't uncommon. Anything slightly stringy can wind itself up in the gut and cause an obstruction. Really it's pretty unlikely but if your cat is the sort to eat whatever she comes across I would keep her away from the tree!

Chalice

Answer 5

The tinsel can be dangerous to a cat if it eats it. Something else people often don't know is that the preservative that people put in the water of their live Christmas trees can also be deadly to cats if they drink that water. I learned this from a friend whose cat died from it. We checked it out and it is very dangerous.

Answer 6

Yes it can kill your cat. If you must have icicles on your tree put them way up high and then put the plastic dangly things down low. Remove the ones you have hanging down low now before it kills your cat! That and antifreeze will kill cats!

Answer 7

YES!! it can get stuck in its intestines and kill it. or it may make it vomit ti out, and its hard for thing to vomit a thin string, so it can get stuck in its throat, and make it gag. or, if it doesn't have a problem, when it goes poddy, the string will get stuck in its bottom and dragg around poo poo. even if its only on the top of the tree, it can fall. last Christmas i had to give up tincell, but it was tottally worth the safety of my pet. but if you think that tincell making a tree pretty is more important than youre pet, you should not even own one.

Answer 8

Yes. any type of string the cat digest is more likely to tangle the intestines. Elastic is horrible to retrieve and the tinsel is almost as bad once it wraps around the intestines.

Added:

Its not that it just gets stuck in the intestines it literally wraps around and strangles the intestines.

Answer 9

It can't be good for them and it may harm them. After my cat ate tinsel - and made pretty poop with it - I quit putting it on the tree.

Answer 10

im not sure about cats but my dogs ate that and pluck that sh** up before they hadnt eaten for a day and half and they are lab mix the biggest is about 60lbs and they eat much appartly just enough to mess with them so u know its not good for them before he wouldnt lie down or nothing and we have them trained for medical purpose so , yet they are still what they are a dog and they get into things...and reminds you of yourself and your kids getting into something...being curious....