Pica in Cats
Does your cat eat things that
are not food?
Some cats will at some times eat things that are not food.
This is the disorder known as pica and it also manifests in dogs, other
animals and humans. Pica is defined as the persistent, deliberate
eating of non-nutritive items. Accidental ingestion of, for example, litter
while grooming is not considered pica.
Things that are eaten can range from the common to the very
strange. Cats can eat litter, fabric, wool sweaters, chunks of
blankets, plastic, strings etc. Some items can be ingested and simply
pass through the cat's digestive system while others can cause obstructions,
limit food intake or be toxic. Large dogs have been known to eat
phones and loads of rocks so there is no limit to what may be ingested.
One woman regularly ingested the foam inside couches sometimes rolling
pieces in dirt first.
Although the exact cause of pica is not known, there are
some clues as to why it happens with some cats. There appears to be a
genetic predisposition. Cats considered 'oriental' in origin such as
Siamese appear to be more inclined to both suck on wool and other fabrics
and sometimes ingest them. One theory is that these cats take longer
to mature and need more time with their litter. When placed in a new
home at the same age as other cats, they can develop behavioral problems
including wool sucking which sometimes progresses to eating.
A genetic predisposition to pica may then be triggered by hunger,
a diet missing in nutrients, stress, fear, anxiety or boredom.
If your cat shows signs of pica remove all non-nutritive
items or place them in drawers and closets or on high shelves where your cat
cannot reach them. This can include but is not limited to toys,
q-tips, clothing, fabric, strings including drapery and blind pulls, paper and small
items.
Make sure he has an adequate meat-based diet, receives
plenty of exercise and attention. Remove sources of stress wherever
possible. If the problem persists you may want to contact your
veterinarian to see if there are any underlying physical issues causing your
cat's pica.
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Related articles:
Pica in Dogs
Related searches:
Why does my cat eat things that are not food?
What is
pica and why does it happen?
Pica in cats, pica in dogs, pica in people.
Why do dogs eat rocks?
Children eating lead paint.
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