- A 'linear foreign body' / blockage
- Varies
- Affects: Gut (obstruction)
Why this verdict for cats
Cats often swallow hair ties, which can cause a dangerous intestinal blockage. Watch for vomiting and not eating, and see a vet.
Warning signs to watch for
- Vomiting
- Not eating
- Lethargy
⚠ If your cat ate hair ties & elastics
Act immediately — don't wait for symptoms.
- Call your vet or a pet poison helpline right away.
- Note how much was eaten and when.
- Do not induce vomiting unless a professional tells you to.
Hair ties, scrunchies and elastic bands are among the most commonly swallowed objects in multi-pet households, and cats are the usual culprits — they bat them, chase them and then swallow them, often without anyone seeing it happen.
How much is safe?
One is enough to matter. An elastic is a linear foreign body, which behaves differently from a solid object: it can stretch out along the intestine, and if one end catches, the gut bunches along it and can be cut through from the inside. Repeat offenders are common, and some cats accumulate several over months before anything is noticed. Hair ties with metal crimps add a second hazard.
What happens if a cat eats too much?
Vomiting that keeps recurring is the main sign, along with appetite loss, hiding, lethargy and a tense abdomen. Some cats vomit intermittently for weeks with an elastic sitting in the stomach before a true obstruction develops. Others deteriorate quickly. Because owners often have not seen the swallowing, this is frequently discovered on an X-ray taken for unexplained vomiting.
⚠ What to do if your cat ate hair ties & elastics
Call your vet (ASPCA 888-426-4435 · Pet Poison Helpline 855-764-7661 for out-of-hours advice). If you can see elastic at the mouth or under the tail, do not pull it — the same rule applies as with string, because the far end may be anchored inside. Elastics are not always visible on a plain X-ray, so ultrasound or contrast studies may be needed. Retrieved early from the stomach, this is often an endoscopy rather than surgery.
⚠️ Worried your pet got into this?
Frequently asked questions
My cat vomits now and then but is otherwise well — could an old hair tie be the cause?
It is a genuinely common explanation for chronic intermittent vomiting in cats, and worth mentioning to your vet so imaging is considered.
How do I stop it happening?
Hair ties belong in a closed drawer or a lidded container, not on a bathroom counter or a bedside table. It is a management problem more than a training one.
More household items for cats
By the CanMyPet Editorial Team · Reviewed against ASPCA Animal Poison Control, the American Kennel Club (AKC) and Pet Poison Helpline · Last updated July 31, 2026.
Sources
- ASPCA — People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets
- American Kennel Club — Dog Nutrition
- Pet Poison Helpline — Poison List