Vets Save a Cat Who Ate 43 Hair Bands

by Nevena Nacic

Published: September 27th, 2023

sophiecat/Shutterstock

A much-loved family cat who ate 43 hair bands made a full recovery after being rushed into emergency surgery.

Owners believe that the eight-year-old tortoiseshell cat named Tiger has been secretly eating elastic hair bands for some time at her home in Malton, New Yorkshire. For several months, Tiger covertly stole elastic bands belonging to owner Rebbeca Gordon and her two daughters, Chloe and Charlotte.

Although Ms. Gordon noticed that some hair bands had gone missing, she assumed that her daughters lost them. It never occurred to her that the missing hair ties had ended up in the cat’s stomach.

After Tiger started to vomit regularly, Ms. Gordon took her to the Malton branch of Minster Vets, where she was administered an anti-sickness injection. Soon after, Tiger passed two hair ties in her poop and started being sick again, so the family returned to the vet.

The following day vets at Minister Vets' main hospital in York performed additional tests and an X-ray that showed a mass of mysterious material in Tiger’s stomach, which required an emergency surgery to remove it.

Sara Ford, Minister Vets' clinical director, who operated Tiger, confessed that she was shocked when she removed the ball from the kitty’s stomach and realized the ball was made of 43 elastic hair ties.

“I once had a case of a cat eating 10 hair ties but I couldn’t believe it when we counted 43. They were all tangled and knotted together, so had created a big clump, and her stomach was so full there was hardly room for anything else,” said Dr Ford, according to The Northern Echo.

“Tiger is a lovely cat and is fortunate that her family really care and brought her to us when they suspected something was wrong. She had been incredibly lucky as the danger would have been if they had passed into her intestine and caused a blockage which would have been extremely serious.”

Ford also urged owners to keep hair bands, ties, ribbons, and other hair accessories away from their cats’ reach to prevent intestinal blockages. “Our advice to owners is to keep hair bobbles, hair ties, and ribbons well away from cats, preferably in a drawer, as they are clearly very tempting to play with, chew, and swallow.”

Ms. Gordon, who never could have imagined that their cat was to blame for all the missing hair bands, joined the Minister Vets’ appeal for owners to be extremely careful about leaving hair accessories where their cats' can find them.

“It was such a shock when we found out how many she had eaten, and the girls were distraught while she was in the hospital. She is a very special part of the family and we are now obsessed with tidying hair bands away and making sure they are well out of her reach,” said Mr. Gordon.

The family returned to the Malton branch of Minster Vets for Tiger’s final post-surgery checkup and to thank the veterinary team there for everything they did for the feline.

“The team at Minster Vets were brilliant and we couldn’t have asked for more as they rang me at every stage before or after surgery. Having pet insurance is very important when something like this goes wrong as Tiger needed surgery and the cost was covered,” Mr. Gordon shared.

If you’re using hair bands, now is the purfect time to store them away somewhere where they’ll be safe from your cat’s stealthy paws. And if by any chance you’ve been losing hair ties for several weeks or months, you might want to call your vet and have your kitty checked out, just in case.

Nevena Nacic

Nevena is a freelance writer and a proud mom of Teo, a 17-year-old poodle, and Bob, a rescued grey tabby cat. Since childhood, she had a habit of picking up strays and bringing them home (luckily, her parents didn't know how to say NO). When she's not writing for her fellow pet parents, Nevena can be found watching Teo sleep. To her defense, that's not as creepy as it sounds!

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How Can I Reduce My Dog's Environmental Pawprint?

In today’s day and age, with the climate and environment at great risk, we want to do anything we can to minimize our own carbon footprint and the damage we do to Mother Nature. Of course, our pets also have an environmental impact – and eco-conscious pet parents are always on the lookout for simple ways to reduce their pet’s carbon footprint (or pawprint if we’re being precise). Luckily, there are a lot of small but important steps that you can take in order to make your pet’s lifestyle and care much more eco-friendly without compromising the quality of life they are used to. Here's where to start if you want to become a more eco-friendly, sustainable dog owner!5 Ways You Can Reduce Your Dog's Environmental PawprintCaring for your pet can be challenging, and that’s no secret. However, the things that make it easier are not often very good for the environment, and can make your pet’s environmental pawprint significant. Luckily, it does not take too much of a change to turn that completely around and start improving that environmental impact, day by day. What follows are just a few of the basic steps you can take as a caring and responsible owner.#1 Be Responsible About Your Pet’s Waste Disposal:

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New Tool Detects and Predicts Dog Mobility Issues

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Does Your Dog Have What it Takes to Be a B.A.R.K. Ranger?

Is your dog your favorite adventure buddy? Do you dream of exploring America’s National Parks system with your furry best friend by your side? While many parks have limitations on where dogs are allowed, the popularity of pet-friendly travel is on the rise. In response, the U.S. National Park Service introduced a program to teach dog parents how to travel with their pups responsibly – the B.A.R.K. Ranger Program. But does your dog have what it takes to be a B.A.R.K. Ranger? What is involved in earning that title anyway? In this article, we will break down the B.A.R.K. principles and why they are so important for responsible outdoor travel. We will also share tips for helping your dog become a certified B.A.R.K. ranger. What Does the Acronym “B.A.R.K.” Stand For? Let’s start at the beginning—what exactly is the B.A.R.K. Ranger program, and what does the acronym “B.A.R.K.” stand for? Recognizing that a growing number of dog parents wanted to bring their pups with them when visiting the parks, the U.S. National Park Service recognized a need for education on how to travel with dogs responsibly. This means focusing on the importance of respecting the environment, local wildlife, and other visitors to the park. This program is a partnership between the National Park Service (NPS) and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). It is part of the Healthy Parks Healthy People Initiative, which is focused on the idea that “parks can be gateways to good health – for people and the planet.” The B.A.R.K. acronym stands for: B – Bag your pet’s wasteA – Always leash your petR – Respect wildlife K – Know where you can goThe concept is similar to the traditional Leave No Trace principles but focuses on how a dog may impact the environment and the overall park experience. What Are the Qualifications to Become a B.A.R.K. Ranger? The good news is that the requirements to become a B.A.R.K. Ranger are very broad. The program is open to dogs of all ages, breeds, sizes, and activity levels. From the senior chihuahua who prefers to be carried along the trail while still enjoying the fresh air to the high-energy Border Collie who could hike for days without stopping, all are welcome! So, does your dog meet the qualifications? As long as they are dog – YES!What is the Process of Getting Your Dog’s B.A.R.K. Ranger Certification? This is where the conversation becomes a little more complicated. While the B.A.R.K. Ranger program is a National Park Service program, the exact requirements to be named a B.A.R.K. Ranger vary from park to park. This allows each park to customize the program to best suit its area and the needs of those who visit each park specifically. At some parks, you will be asked to take a booklet and fill it out. Once you have completed the booklet, you will receive your commemorative leash tag. At other parks, a program is offered that you will attend to learn more about the B.A.R.K. principles and how they can be applied in your travels. Finally, some parks make it incredibly easy. They ask those interested to learn about the B.A.R.K. principles at home before coming to the park. Upon arrival, the dog's parents are asked if they understand and agree with them. They then take a pledge to follow these principles before their dog is given the coveted title.

Rover Releases the Most Popular Pet Names of 2023

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The Latest Pet Industry Trends from Global Pet Expo 2024

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After 5 Long Years, a Lost Senior Dog is Reunited With His Owner

It seems that year is off to a good start in Sharonville, Ohio, where a true miracle happened for a hopeful pawrent. A Butler County woman named Hannah experienced immense relief and happiness after she was reunited with her long-lost doggo, at the annual My Furry Valentine adoption event in Sharonville. Will, Hannah’s wonderful Golden Retriever buddy had been missing for five years, after he wandered away from home in October 2019. Devastated, Hannah and her family searched for days and weeks for Will, but without success. In the end, fearing the worst, they had to let go of their wavering hopes.But incredibly, much to their amazement, their hopes were rekindled. They spotted a stray dog photo posted out of Clermont County – the resemblance to Will was uncanny. Hannah quickly sent a Facebook message to the nonprofit Clear the Clermont County Animal Shelter, inquiring about the dog - apparently named Rome. After a brief explanation, she said she believed it was none other than her beloved Will. 

How Cold is Too Cold for My Dog to Be Outside?

You might enjoy the magic of wintertime, but that doesn’t mean that your pooch shares your enthusiasm for cold weather – or the situation might be the exact opposite, with your four-legged bestie enjoying snowfall and you dreading the icy temperatures. Either way, you might be wondering if your pet needs some extra protection or different routines during winter – after all, some dogs are less suited for cold than others. So, it begs the question how cold is too cold for your dog, and should you even try going outside in these cases? There are several precautions you can take, but sometimes, you should be wary of extreme temperatures. Let’s delve deeper and learn more. How Cold is Too Cold for My Dog to Be Outside?The tolerance to cold weather can vary among individual dogs based on factors such as breed, size, coat type, age, and overall health. Generally, most dogs can tolerate cold weather to some extent, but there are certain conditions and temperatures where it becomes unsafe for them to be outside for extended periods. Of course, there will be some telltale signs that it’s just too cold to be outside. Signs that your dog may be too cold include shivering, whining, seeking shelter, lifting paws off the ground, or exhibiting signs of discomfort. If you notice any of these signs, it's time to bring your dog inside for some much-needed warmth.Of course, it’s essential to use your judgment and consider your dog's individual needs – you should always prioritize your dog's well-being in extreme weather conditions, but that will differ from dog to dog and climate to climate. Even so, there are some general guidelines for determining if it’s too cold outside for your pet – here’s what you need to know before taking them outside in really cold weather.Consider their coat length and breed: In winter, your pet’s coat can be a determining factor for outside time. Dogs with thick or double coats, such as  Siberian Huskies or  Alaskan Malamutes, may be more tolerant of cold temperatures than those with short coats, like Chihuahuas or Greyhounds. Some dogs were specially bred for living and working in cold environments, while some breeds were developed for completely opposite conditions. If your pet belongs to the latter group, it might be useful to invest in  a warm coat  designed to keep your dog toasty and warm during cold weather.

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