Cat eating stone - huge change in behaviour

[Furries]

Firstly, I know I can google, but am looking for anyone with similar experiences.

My mum took in a rescue cat almost 2 years ago. Up until now, all has been fine. She settled in really well right from the start (ate, drank, didn’t hide etc).

According to the rescue, she had mainly been an indoor cat. Mum has a pretty small garden (neighbouring gardens either side and along the back). To begin with, cat was very nervous going outside (never forced, but option given with open back door if weather good).

Last summer, she found her feet a bit and was happy mooching round the garden for a bit, but no more than that.

With regards to diet, she has never eaten all the wet food put down for her. She’d graze on her dry, shout for wet and sometimes eat it and other times leave it.

The last 10 days, her behaviour has changed, summary as follows:

1. she’s been leaving the garden over the back fence - never done this in nearly 2 years. Has brought home a dead bird (not sure what type, but small) and also a moth! Only two things, but she is jumping the fence a fair bit and coming back soon after. Not a huge issue, adding for context as not normal behaviour, especially linked to ties in with whole behaviour change over last 10 days

2. she is devouring her wet food. Normally she will turn her nose up quite a bit, so mum rations pouches so as not to waste food. Please know that she hasn’t been starving for past 2 years!

3. most worrying is, in the last 5 days, mum has found 2 piles of “sick” outside. When I say “sick” I mean it’s been watery but with small stones in.

This is obviously not normal, and I’m phoning the vet in the morning, but just wondered if anyone had experienced anything similar? I know it’s not right, but only time I’ve ever seen anything like this is on animal rescue programmes where they are so starved that they eat stones to try and make themselves feel full. I KNOW she isn’t starved (deliberately or negligently) by my mum, she blooming loves her. It’s just a huge switch in behaviour, only thing I can think of is maybe overactive thyroid, but would be really helpful to know anyone else’s experience to help me ensure that cat gets seen by a vet.

Sometimes it's best to keep well away from Dr Google!
You are wise to get the cat seen by a vet as this doesn't sound right to me. No direct experience of this but I would definitely mention everything you have said in the post so you can get the cat seen. How old is the cat?

@Vinorosso74 - thanks for your reply. You’re right, I generally try to avoid Dr Google, but thought I’d add that as it’s surprising to me how many times I see on MN “you can Google, you know” in response to posters’ questions (not on the litter tray though!)

Not 100% sure of her age, but the rescue said she was around 6 (elderly previous owner, no paperwork etc), so she’s around 8 now.

My first thought about the stones, was if the grass was on gravel and the stones had bed. Picked up in eating the grass. Not sure why she would spit them
Out though!

Did she see the vet?

My old tortie cat now gone used to eat weird stuff when she had kidney disease, she steal vegetables off our plates having never shown any interest in them before so maybe get that checked.
She could just be eating grass and other stuff like cats do which always make them sick. It seems to give them a good clear out, it can't be pleasant.