Vets felt a hard mass on a kitten with a history for eating random things — and were horrified when the scan revealed what was hiding inside

The vet called the owner, revealing the odd mass was behind the cat’s loss of appetite and stomach issues.

PUBLISHED 11 HOURS AGO

(L) A cat eating rope. (R) A vet checking scan of a cat. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L) Akimasa Harada, (R) AnnaStills)

A cat owner took their pet to the vet for a check-up after noticing signs that their furry friend wasn’t feeling well. During the examination, the vet felt a large, hard mass in the cat's stomach, which raised immediate concerns. This unexpected finding prompted further investigation, leaving both the vet and the owner eager to find out the cause behind the discomfort. When the vet finally performed an X-ray on the cat, the results revealed something truly shocking.

A cat getting an X-ray done. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by dima_sideInikov)

As reported by Wamiz, the vet began with a simple abdominal palpation and discovered the mass on the left side of the cat’s abdomen. Initially, they couldn’t identify what it was. To gain more clarity, the vet decided to perform an X-ray. Upon viewing the results, they were stunned. The cat had ingested not one, but twelve hair scrunchies and a hair band. The vet immediately contacted the owner to share the surprising news, explaining how the mass was likely responsible for the cat's lack of appetite and digestive issues.

Hair scrunchies. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Skylar Kang)

The owner explained that their cat had a history of chewing on carpet but hadn’t shown such behavior recently. However, they confirmed that the cat had been struggling with eating and eliminating waste. The hair accessories were surgically removed, resolving the issue. This peculiar case gained attention when it was shared on November 12, 2022, through a Facebook post by I Love Veterinary Medicine, where many people reacted in surprise and shared similar experiences.

A pet cat getting treatment at a vet clinic. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | xavierarnau)

Vicky Sherwood wrote in the comment section, "I have seen this in dogs. One dog even had yarn under his tongue, cutting into the tongue so far you couldn’t see it, and the yarn went all the way into the stomach and through the intestines. Along with multiple hair ties just for fun. It was an interesting surgery trying to get that mess out, but we succeeded. Hope kitty is doing well now." Another clinic, Eden Valley Veterinary Clinic, shared, "I have treated this condition too many times. Poor kitties!" Carol Green expressed, "I’ve seen this too many times. Every feline owner should be made aware of this through adoption agencies and from their veterinarian."

Cat with pens and pencils. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Kseniya Ovchinnikova)

This strange habit of eating non-food items is linked to a condition called "pica," according to PetMD. Pica is a behavior where animals, including cats, consume inedible materials like plastic, fabric, or rubber. Though not common, pica can lead to stomach upset and more serious issues if not addressed. It often requires surgery, as foreign objects can get lodged in the digestive system. The exact cause of pica is still unclear, but it may stem from anxiety, stress, boredom, or underlying health conditions like endocrine diseases or malnutrition.

The study further suggests that this condition is more frequent in younger cats and certain breeds like Siamese and Burmese. Symptoms can include vomiting and frequent chewing, with some cats even sucking or ingesting inedible items. While pica isn't always a sign of a health problem, it can cause significant harm and needs to be managed carefully to ensure the cat's well-being.