It may pass, it may not.

I don't have personal experience, but did read about it on a pet safety website a while back.

Can probably wait till morning, but the way to tell that its a big deal is if he has a tender tummy, is trying to vomit, not eating, or having issues going # 2.

The other thing I recall is that if he can pass it normally, never pull on it if you see it coming out, as you can be pulling on his intestines.

 

If you are CERTAIN it is only an inch or two I would just keep an eye on him for signs of distress. Generally, something that small should pass through just fine. If you are NOT certain it was only a few inches you may want to call the E-vet and ask what they could do. If this ingestion occurred recently they may be able to administer an emetic and have the kitty barf-it-up. If it has passed out of his stomach it will either come out in the usual way or he'll require surgery. If surgery is required he will show signs of distress; lethargic, refusing food/water, hiding, possibly squirming if his insides are paining him and crying-out if his abdomen has any pressure placed upon it. I am not sure, but I think x-rays can only detect a fabric foreign body *after* it has created an obstruction and by then the problem is apparant and the kitty is in dire straights.

So ... how certain are you about the length of fabric chewed off?
You can always call the E-vet and speak with someone to ask what to look for and have them prepped with the details in case your kitty requires their services.

 

Yeah, I'll see what happens. It's not actually string, it's presumably skinny pieces of microfleece. I wonder if that's better or worse?

I know because it's a rope on the end of a toy and I can sort of remember its length. There's still quite a bit of it left.

Anyway, we'll see. I'm hoping for the best

 

I hope everything comes out okay, too. Please keep us updated.

ps...my Mousie-kitty would eat little foam ear-plugs from my husband's work. I *hated* those things! I'd think I had them all picked up and tossed away but it never failed ... if there was one available, she was eating it! I never knew until I scooped it from the litterbox.
I'll keep hoping it was only a very small piece and will exit w/out any issues.

 

It passed. WHEW

 

Me, too: Whew!