Another Night at the Emergency Hospital Presents Another Reason to Keep Your Cat Indoors
Yesterday was yet another busy shift at the emergency clinic. Thankfully, no cats paid the ultimate price for going outside. However, several cats suffered consequences linked to their outdoor lifestyles. Their owners’ bank accounts took huge and completely unnecessary hits as well. Sunday night treatment does not come cheap.
Yesterday we had a run of grass blades in the nose. Many cats enjoy chewing on grass. However, if they gag, cough or vomit as they are trying to swallow a blade of grass the plant matter can pass into the sinuses and lodge there.
Cats with grass blades in their noses most often sneeze violently. If the blade is lodged deeper in the sinuses and throat they may cough, gag, or make snorting noises.
Looking up a cat’s nose is a big pain in the end of the veterinarian that is opposite his nose. General anesthesia is required. In the absence of a rare and expensive instrument called a rhinoscope (very few non-specialists have access to this instrument), vets are forced to use awkward tools to work in a small space (the nasal passages and pharynx, or back of the throat). It can be very frustrating.
Three cats came to the hospital yesterday displaying symptoms of nasal or pharyngeal foreign bodies. By 11:00 pm, three grass blades had been removed successfully. One of the cats suffered severe swelling in the back of the throat, but I expect him to make a complete recovery within a few days.
The owners’ bank accounts, on the other hand, may take a month or two to get well.
Note: it is possible for indoor cats to suffer from nasal or pharyngeal foreign bodies after chewing on “kitty grass”. However, this is very uncommon. Also, kitty grass tends to be softer and much less irritating than most grasses encountered outdoors.
Addendum: yet another reason to keep your cat inside! Feline leukemia virus. The disease is essentially unheard of among indoor cats.
Photo: playing with fire! I hope the owners have saved their money.
You have questions. 
My cat Tux (who is registered on Catster) is a mystery to me, and I have had many cats in my lifetime (I’m 67). We got him as a kitten (about 3 1/2 months old) and at that time he was cuddly and sweet. He’s an indoor kitty (back in the day I lost too many of my kitties to cars and cat fights) – but too often we have to lock him up because of his unacceptable behavior. He can be VERY aggressive, more to me than to my husband. Example: He loves to get up on top of anything high (more than any other cat I’ve had) – so in the livingroom he jumps on top of the theater system – then on the the speaker – on the the mantel and when I tell him to “Get down” he’ll glare at me, and the other night he kept staring at me (eyes dialated) and jumped down to the floor and then on to the couch and then on to me and attached me (teeth and claws bared). I try not to aggrivate or scare him, but don’t want him to think he can do whatever he wants to (jump on mantel, jump on kitchen counters, etc.) Don’t know what to do – he’s so bad that if we would ever go away for a few days there’s no way I’d leave him with anyone – would have to take him into Vet’s office for boarding. Any suggestions?
I am convinced it is much safer to have indoor cats. They do get bored, but we can play with them to overcome boredom.
Here’s a great article on indoor X outdoor cats: http://www.thedailytail.com/safety-tips/indoor-vs-outdoor-cat/
ok….I completely agree with keeping cats indoors. About the grass getting stuck in the cat’s nose… will the same thing happen with wheat grass grown for kitties indoors? I am assuming yes but it’s always touted as being so good for kitties. Thank you for doing this for us pet lovers out there! Kindest regards, Deborah
Re: Photo: playing with fire! I hope the owners have saved their money.
Not fair. The cats here thoroughly enjoy it outside. You should see them when the human is out in the garden. They bounce around playing. When the human is inside they are normally inside too. But when everyone is outside they have a ball. There are lots and lots of cool photos of cats outside on Catster. Please don’t make them feel guilty about it.
I understand, if the area you live in isn’t safe, sure lock them up. But if you live a fair distance from a major road and it is pretty safe where you live. Why not?
Unfortunately I do know (1st hand) they can be chased off the property and get lost : ( that is a risk, but do see the joy of being outside, I just can’t lock them up. I love my cats to bits and locking them up doesn’t seem right (for them, I do understand if others do chose to lock their cats up though)
Sorry I just don’t want others to feel bad if they do allow their cats outside.
Your articles are great and we can learn from them, it’s interesting about the grass and I’m amazed how many you have had in with grass stuck in the nose. You must have some pretty tough grass over there. Thank you, it lets us know what to be aware off. Sniffing your cat. lol sounds strange but you get to know what smells right and what doesn’t and a foul breath could mean something’s wrong. Time for a dental, grass stuck, kidney problems, etc. things we don’t think of. Thanks for the info on what to look out for.
I would never keep a cat totally indoors. My cats go where they please during day inside and out and night they are kept inside. Yes I’ve lost cats to road kill but I think it cruel to keep them inside all the time it goes against nature. I also put Ka – zar my current kitty inside when no one is home so I know he’s safe and keep an eye on him when he’s outside when someone is home.
I keep my dog on a leash, and I NEVER allow him to leave a mess in someone else’s yard. My neighbors’ cats leave messes in my garden, lie on my porch cushions & leave hairs & allergens that make me sneeze, and they kill the songbirds I try to attract to my yard. Other neighbors can’t let their toddler play in the yard because there’s always cat poop from neighboring cats. This is another good reason to keep cats indoors. If you’re going to let them out, please have some consideration & keep them in your own yard.