Wishing you the best and sending our thoughts. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Just know that cats and humans are very different, our systems do not process food the same way. Your kitty was already quite old at 18 years and with already having kidney problems beforehand it’s possible the chewing gum wasn’t the cause but perhaps simply a contributing factor to her passing.. Also, just because it was gum on the collar doesn’t necessarily mean she ingested it, but of course, it’s hard to tell. Pretty sure the gum has xylitol and I definitely do not have an emergency vet anywhere near me. We recommend to be proactive in this situation. My 5 month old kitten just ate a half peice of gum it was mint flavored he was being crazy now he’s completely calm should I be worried I can’t get to the vet until tomorrow is he ok until then? Wrap it up well and bury it down deep, so your pup doesn’t pluck it off the top. While xylitol is perfectly safe for humans, it can be life-threatening for your four-legged family member. After all, bubble gum is something practically everyone grew up chewing on. Recipes can vary between brands, but all chewing gums … Don’t just throw your chewed gum on the top of the trash. You don’t want to reach down her throat and grab something you can’t see -- you could wind up pushing it farther down. You can also give meat-based baby food. It could be as simple as a toothache or sore gums: "Dental or gum disease would make chewing on dry food quite painful." A cat with gum disease may gnaw on things to soothe its mouth, and a cat with a digestive issue may chew and drool on things to help with nausea. Within 30 to 60 minutes of eating gum with xylitol, your furry pal will start to show signs of hypoglycemia, says Dr. Dana Brooks, a Seattle-based veterinarian. you probably shouldnt let him eat the wrapper, but your not always going to be able to stop him (my moms cat would steal the gum out of her purse) . Typically, the dose needed to cause poisoning is at least 0.05 grams per pound of body weight (0.1 grams per kilogram of body weight). Fiber, fats or other nutritional deficiencies may be a cause. He was always the type of cat from whom we had to hide shoelaces, but this is next level. just keep an eye on him for a few days in case of vomiting or trouble breathing or using the bathroom. Hi Stacie– thanks for your email. Dental or periodontal disease can lead to many serious health and medical issues if left untreated. Risks of Destructive Chewing in Cats A cat’s teeth are much sharper than a dog’s (or ours)—“like a scalpel compared to a butter knife,” Jones says. Nicotine poisoning happens when a person or animal ingests or inhales an unsafe amount of this noxious chemical. And untreated dental disease can be very painful for your cat and can even cause them to stop eating. Some artificial sweeteners found in chewing gum are extremely toxic in animals. HE IS THE ONLY ONE ABLE TO TELL YOU WHAT TO DO NEXT. It is also beneficial to teeth, and chewing xylitol gum reduces the bacteria in your mouth by up to 90 percent. If the kitty hasn’t shown any reaction signs then it should be okay. Read more about our story on our about us page. There would be a real problem would be if he ate a lot of it and it had contained xylitol. Your cat is sick If you think your dog might have ingested tobacco prod… When was this? Sugar-free chewing gums often have xylitol as a sweetener ingredient in place of sugar. Because younger kitties are more likely to chomp on anything, they have a higher risk of suffering from intestinal obstructions. She had problems with her kidneys for about 6 months (she was 18 yrs old). Chewing gum isn’t digestible; that’s why we spit it out. 60 pounds. It is essential that you check the presence of this ingredient if you still have the gum’s wrapping. Watch for vomiting, weight loss and dehydration. Your vet will need to get the Xylitol out of your cat’s system in order to get him back on his feet. I've been reading and doing the math, per my calculations at most she had 42.5 mg/kg. Obsessive-compulsive disorder, nutritional deficiencies and early weaning all are possible medical causes for chewing. Mostly in sugar-free gum (or other products like sugar-free mints, tooth paste, chewable vitamins, oral-care products). I wouldn’t say so, though! I looked and there were what were the remains of old gum. If the cat has recently removed their teeth but has healthy gums, they can eat dry cat food or canned food. If you want to know more about human foods that cats can eat, make sure to check out our infographic and complete article here ! Chewing gum can be toxic for your kitty. What happens if a dog eats chewing gum? Be careful while walking your pooch. Two are pretty obvious but the last one might be surprising to you. It is scary to catch your cat eating gum, even more if it contains this Xylitol ingredient. She holds a master's degree in food science and human nutrition and is a certified instructor through the NRA. Sabrina is a curious feline, so naturally she played in your bag and got your packet of gum. If your cat’s gums have changed color all of a sudden, this is much more concerning. He eats my sweaters, bras, bathing suits, dresses, socks, and shirts. If you can see it in her mouth, carefully restrain the cat and pull it out, otherwise, get her to the emergency hospital right away. It will probably soften as … © Copyright Fluffy Kitty 2015-2020 | All Rights Reserved | As Amazon Affiliates, we may earn from clicks and purchases at no cost to you. The Seattle Times: Veterinary Q&A: Why Is Xylitol So Dangerous for Dogs and Cats? Baby-proof your house until Sabrina gets a little older. A cat’s teeth are much sharper than a dog’s (or ours)—“like a scalpel compared to a butter knife,” Jones says. This type of gum, depending on how much your furry friend chewed on, is relatively harmless. However, if you came to this article, it probably means that you could not stop him from doing his nasty business. My 30 pound border collie ate maybe 4 pieces of chewed trident pepermint gum in the last hour. When I got home she told me there was gum on her collar (near the clasp.) my moms cat used to do that, and she would try to eat toothpaste when you spit it in the sink. That is why you need to act fast. If he ate a lot of it, your dog is likely to suffer some digestive distress. GO SEE YOUR VETERINARIAN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. If you do so, you will without a doubt get your little companion out of trouble. What Insects & Bugs Are Poisonous To Cats. 15 minutes ago and no dog has not thrown up. As mentioned in our article, Xylitol can have serious effects on cat’s pancreas, liver, intestines, etc., and can be life threatening. She might not be able to pass stool, leaving only urine in her litter pan for several days. A good habit to get into every month is to check your cat’s mouth by examining their teeth and gums. It causes sudden paralysis of the hind end. That’s why we do not eat chewing gum but we simply spit it out. “Cats have to chew on their prey to disassemble the bodies and eat. Your email address will not be published. Should I be worried? Before we start explaining more in depth : if your cat ate gum that contains XYLITOL, go straight to your vet, do not waste time. Some cats are attracted to the products like chewing tobacco that are supplemented with flavors such as honey, molasses, syrups and other sugars. What to do if my dog ate a piece of chewed gum. The first major risk is related to intestinal obstruction: gum is simply not digestible by cats (or humans for that matter). What did s/he respond? He told me she was dying, I had some options to keep her overnight but was told she would probably die by morning. More common are concerns about what your cat is chewing and what she may ingest. If it stays stuck in his/your throat it will have the same effect. It’s a good reason to  always be extremely careful when feeding our cats with leftovers or ingredients we think are treats. I was out of town for Christmas. For this reason, cat teeth are built for almost any level of chewing and rarely get harmed via this behavior. So chewing sugar-free, ADA-approved gum can stimulate saliva production, which can help to keep a good pH balance in the mouth, wash away food, and … Thank you for sharing your story with us. Nutritional deficiencies. If not teething, irritated gums may be a reason why an adult cat may seem to eat or rub against cardboard or even paper. Also, check that your cat does not have gum disease. But it could be a host of other issues, too. One of the initial things that can happen if Sabrina swallows a hunk of gum is choking. For this reason, cat teeth are built for almost any level of chewing and rarely get harmed via this behavior. thanks becuse my kitten just ate gum with 2% XYLITOL My 14 year old dog decided it was ok to chew on some of my super-bubble gum. Bring him immediately to your vet ! It was discovered more than 100 years ago. If your pet has ingested chewing gum, call the ASPCA animal poison center immediately at 888-426-4435. What should I watch for? You’ll see Sabrina gnawing on wires, tasting the houseplants and even sampling her kitty litter. Plus, if they see you eating chocolate or chewing gum, chances are they are going to be extra curious about trying it out themselves. Answer. Will it hurt him? It stimulates the release of insulin that consequently reduces the level of sugar in your cat’s blood. Hi Kaylee, just monitor your kitten and if you notice any weird out-of-the-ordinary changes in behavior then it’s best to call your vet. A lot of people chew gum every day. I can anticipate the objections of cat owners. Seriously, go now! Hi Kassandra! Keep tempting your cat with scents and encouragement. She may start heaving and panicking as she tries to get it out. Your cat should be ok! If Sabrina winds up eating these types of foods or if you notice that your package of gum has been tampered with, get her to the vet quickly. Risks of Destructive Chewing in Cats. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that is perfectly fine for us humans but has a nasty action on your cat’s pancreas. But there wasn't and after we had the cats teeth cleaned he stopped doing it and I make sure he gets dry food as a treat occasionally to help clean his teeth. Thus, to achieve a potentially toxic dose, a 10 pound dog would only have to eat one piece of gum! (+ Pumpkin Cat Food Recipes). Nicotine is toxic to our cats, too. It has a strong effect on the insulin levels in your dog and leads to very severe hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration defines chewing gum as a “food of minimal nutritional value.”This means it can’t be sold in competition with school breakfast and lunch programs. I’ve delved far enough down the tunnel of online cat forums to know that cats do chew on, ingest, and regurgitate pineapple leaves. 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