Chewing on power cords can be a major problem so is ingesting foreign materials, which can cause blockage in the stomach or intestine. While occasional chewing on items should not be a problem, pica could be dangerous. If all other possibilities, such as a medical issue, have been ruled out, pica may be a compulsive disorder.Īlthough it mainly shows up in younger cats, pica can also appear in older cats as well. Cats may also be seeking attention, be hungry or be attracted to scents (grocery bags that contain meats for example). Kitties can suffer burns or can be electrocuted from chewing wires. Ingested plastic can become lodged in the intestine requiring emergency surgery. Environmental ConditionsĬats can get bored and therefore may need more mental or physical stimulation. It might seem like a silly quirk or an annoying habit, but cats who eat plastic are exhibiting a dangerous behavioral urge called pica, and the consequences associated with it can be life-threatening. RELATED: 5 Foods You Should Never Feed Cats Medical Issuesīesides feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency (or FIV), pica can also be associated with diabetes or brain tumors. Eating cat litter might mean the cat is anemic. While it’s normal for cats to eat a bit of grass, eating a large amount of plant material could mean something is missing from your cat’s diet. Wool sucking could be more of a nursing behavior, which is related to kneading. Wool sucking is seen more commonly in Siamese and Birman cats (not to be confused with Burmese cats). In any case, a cat needs to be examined by a veterinarian since pica can be caused by several things. However, pica can be associated with several diseases, such as feline immunodeficiency or feline leukemia. Some cats may find other strange items irresistible: paper, plastic grocery bags, houseplants, carpet and even electrical cords. This means fuzzy items, such as sweaters, stuffed animals, towels and fleece, will fall victim to this behavior. The younger the kitten, the greater the urge to nurse and the more likely she will suck on wool. For example, there is a behavior called “wool sucking,” which occurs in cats who are weaned too soon. The urge to eat non-food items is known as pica, and is common for many cats. Traditional Classroom Environment in Los Angeles CaliforniaĪs with some humans, cats are known to eat strange things.If the habit just seems too tough to break, and your kitty keeps nibbling on the wooden drum stick, shoe laces, or trash bags, it might be time to employ some sour or spicy taste deterrents. If your kitty doesn’t seem as interested in the new chewable toys you bought her, consider rubbing them in catnip to see if that will be sufficient enticement. The point here is to keep the cat occupied and entertained, so that she won’t be sniffing out strange objects to munch on. Does she love the furry fake mouse you bought her? What that rubber fish a popular toy when you first brought it home? Consider buying a feather toy that attaches to a wall, that she could bat away at for hours. Distract the cat with chew toys and new games.Whatever interests your cat, increase the time you spend doing that hobby. Some cat breeds (such as Ragdolls) enjoy playing fetch with their owners, while others just want to chase around the remote-control mouse, or the laser beam on the wall. When you come home from work, play with her, or work on some new tricks. Maybe it’s time to get a cat leash and go for daily walks. Instead of leaving your kitty to her own devices, add some extra play time. Have you ever had a nervous habit like biting the tip of your pencil during a long lecture in class, chewing your nails or biting your lip? Like humans, cats develop habits when they are bored or unable to explore new territories. By increasing the fiber in your cat’s meals, or by adding supplements, minerals, and canned food with macrobiotics, and fruits and veggies, the problem of cat pica might be solved. Oftentimes, pica occurs when a cat is craving the fiber that her regular diet does not provide. By closing doors, or even using ultrasonic devices to create invisible barriers, your cat will simply be removed from things she could attempt to eat. Does your furry Persian like to peruse (and chew on) the papers strewn on your desk? Consider keeping the door of the office closed so that she won’t go in. If the vet determines that there is no severe health concern, and that the pica is merely behavioral, below are some helpful steps you can take to discourage your cat from eating random objects If you notice a pattern of your cat gravitating toward inedible items, and attempting to eat them, then the first course of action is to find out if there is a medical issue to address. There may be several reasons that your cat has the behavioral issue of pica, yet because it could be a signal for a concerning health problem, visiting the vet is necessary.
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