Cats are known for their grooming habits, but sometimes they engage in behavior that seems strange or even harmful. This may be licking non-food items like plastic or metal. What is this?
We’ll discuss what kind of behavior this is and what are the underlying reasons that cats lick and eat weird things.
Cats Eating Strange Items
Some cats will lick or eat non-food items. This behavior is known as pica, and it’s more common in cats than many people realize.
Pica is characterized by the ingestion of non-food items. In cats, this can include items such as plastic, paper, rubber, metal, or fabric.
How to Deal with Pica in Cats
To address pica in cats, it’s important to address any underlying medical conditions and to make sure the cat’s diet is nutritionally complete and balanced. Providing opportunities for stimulation and play can also help to alleviate boredom and reduce stress.
In some cases, behavioral modification techniques, such as positive reinforcement training, may be helpful in reducing or eliminating pica behavior.
A veterinarian or a veterinary behaviorist can help to develop a behavior modification plan that is tailored to your cat’s individual needs.
Provide a Safe Area
It’s important to provide a safe and secure environment for your cat. Keeping items that are potentially harmful, such as plastic bags, out of reach can help to prevent pica behavior.
6 Reasons Cats Have Pica
- Dietary deficiencies: Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they require a diet that is high in animal protein to meet their nutritional needs. If a cat’s diet is lacking in certain essential nutrients, they may seek out non-food items to supplement their diet. For example, cats may lick plastic because it contains small amounts of residual food or grease, which can be an important source of nutrients for them.
- Stress and anxiety: Pica can also be a sign of stress or anxiety in cats. Some cats may engage in pica as a way to cope with a stressful situation, such as a new home or the introduction of a new pet. In these cases, pica may be a form of self-soothing behavior, allowing the cat to feel more relaxed and secure.
- Medical conditions: Pica can also be a symptom of a medical condition, such as feline hyperthyroidism or feline diabetes. These conditions can cause changes in a cat’s behavior, including increased thirst and hunger, which can lead to pica.
- Boredom: Cats that are bored or have limited opportunities for stimulation may engage in pica to alleviate their boredom.
- Age: Pica can be more common in older cats, since their sense of taste and smell can decline with age, making them less interested in food and more likely to seek out non-food items.
- Hunting instincts: Cats have a strong instinct to hunt and kill prey, and this instinct can sometimes extend to non-food items, like plastic and metal.
Here’s another kitty article you’ll like: Can a Cat Drink Coffee: 5 Facts You Should Know
Regardless of the underlying cause of pica, it’s important to address this behavior as soon as possible. Pica can be harmful to a cat’s health, as they can ingest harmful substances that can cause digestive problems, blockages, or other health issues.
To address pica in cats, it’s important to uncover any underlying medical conditions and to make sure the cat’s diet is nutritionally complete and balanced. Providing opportunities for stimulation and play can also help alleviate boredom and reduce stress.