What lurks in that open container
Three days on the counter turns plain cornmeal into a microbial playground. Even if you see no fuzzy spots, airborne spores have landed, and moisture from the air kickstarted invisible growth. Your 2.8 kg cat just ingested whatever bacteria thrived there — possibly salmonella or E. coli, which cats rarely encounter in their normal diet.
The real danger isn't the cornmeal itself but the biofilm coating each particle. Her small body weight means even a few licks deliver a concentrated dose. Watch for subtle signs like excessive lip-licking or face-pawing in the next hour — that's nausea building. Cats hide discomfort well until they can't.
Why her size makes this riskier
A 2.8 kg cat has about one-fifth the body mass of an average dog, so contaminants hit her system harder. Her tiny liver must process every toxin, and her short digestive tract doesn't have much time to neutralize threats. What might give a dog mild gas could send her into vomiting spirals.
Note the timing: if she ate it within the last two hours, her stomach may still purge it naturally. Past that window, the bacteria are moving into her intestines. Don't wait for diarrhea to appear — by then, the bugs have set up camp. Call your vet now if she's already licking her lips repeatedly or hiding.
The silent threat you can't see
Mould toxins don't always cause immediate vomiting. Some mycotoxins attack quietly, causing lethargy or loss of coordination over 24 hours. Your cat might just sleep more, which owners often miss until she stumbles or refuses food tomorrow.
Check her pupils tonight: uneven dilation could signal neurotoxin exposure. More likely, she'll have mild stomach pain — she'll crouch low with elbows tucked, or refuse to let you touch her belly. Either way, a cat this small shouldn't tough it out. Her reserves are too limited to wait.
How to interrupt the reaction
If it's been under an hour, offer a teaspoon of plain canned pumpkin (not pie mix) to bind some particles. But don't force water — aspirating is riskier than mild dehydration. Her instinct is to fast when nauseated, which helps.
Track her litter box for the next 48 hours. Blood in stool or urine means the invaders damaged her gut lining. More concerning would be no output at all — blockages from inflammation can happen in petite cats. Keep her warm and quiet; stress worsens GI distress. Have the vet's number ready when the night zoomies don't come.
The full verdict, portion guidance and serving notes are collected on the Cornmeal food facts page.