The key to successful treatment of foreign object ingestion is early diagnosis. Objects have to be of certain composition and density to be observed on X-rays. Although they are excellent diagnostic tools, X-rays cannot detect everything your cat may swallow.
It is important for cat owners to recognize when a pet is not eating or feeling normally. The signs associated with foreign object ingestion are drooling, frequent vomiting, projectile vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, depression and dehydration. These signs warrant a veterinary examination. If you have any reason to suspect that your cat has swallowed a foreign object, you should alert your veterinarian immediately.