Is it ok to let my kitten play with the ribbons on the presents under the tree?

Darlene

Curling ribbon is often used in cat toys, making us blissfully unaware of the potential dangers of this common package decoration. Cats or kittens should always be supervised when playing with toys that contain strings or ribbons. Cats are notorious for swallowing long stringy things, know as linear foreign bodies in vet speak. These long objects move through the digestive system but often get stuck. The intestines try very hard to move this annoying thing through, bunching up around the string or ribbon and potentially cutting the intestines from the inside out. This can be a lethal situation and even if caught in time, will result in an expensive and potentially dangerous surgery, depending on how much damage has been done. So, if you have a cat or kitten, it is best to avoid ribbon or string, unless you are directly interacting with your pet.