If you think your cat would enjoy some exposure to outdoors, consider purchasing or constructing a safe outdoor enclosure. Place a cat tree near a window so your cat can watch the outdoor activities. Increase environmental enrichment by providing puzzle feeders, activity toys, scratching posts, cat trees, and other forms on stimulation. Provide mental and physical stimulation. A bored cat will look for something to do and that something might include chewing on a non-edible item. Don’t punish the cat for chewing on items as that will simply increase frustration and stress. Do your best to keep items of temptation out of your cat’s reach. If your cat is chewing on plants, remove them from the indoor environment. Remove temptation.If kitty is munching on socks or items that shouldn’t be accessible, make sure temptation is removed by keeping clothing in drawers, closets or in hampers with lids. An inappropriate amount of fiber added to the diet can cause major intestinal distress. Don’t make any dietary adjustments without consulting with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian may make a recommendation for supplementing your cat’s food with increased fiber or something else. If there is an underlying medical problem it will need to be diagnosed and addressed.ĭietary adjustments. Have your cat examined by the veterinarian. It can also be a displacement behavior when the cat would rather be doing something else but is unable to or if the cat has been punished. Pica seems to be more common in Asian breeds such as Siamese and Burmese.ĭisplacement. Whether the cause is boredom, stress or frustration, a cat may turn to pica (as well as other behaviors) as a displacement behavior. Certain diseases such as diabetes, dental disease or hyperthyroidism or brain disorders may be associated with pica behavior. A change in mental or physical stimulation may trigger as well. Changes in the environment such as a move to a new home or the addition or absence of a family member can be stress triggers that can lead to pica.īoredom or Lack of Attention. A bored cat who is not receiving adequate mental and physical stimulation might begin munching on non-food items just for something to do. Stress. Cats who are living in a stressful environment may try to self-soothe by engaging in pica behavior. Some cats who are anemic may try to eat litter. Some veterinarians and behavior experts believe that inadequate amounts of fat or fiber in the diet can lead a cat to crave these nutrients from non-edible sources. The Possible Triggersĭeficiencies in the diet. It is most commonly seen in Burmese and Siamese cats, which suggests a genetic predisposition comparable to obsessive-compulsive disorders in humans. Kittens commonly chew as they explore, and although most outgrow this behavior, some do it for life. It may be a comfort-seeking behavior, or it may fulfill a desire to play and investigate. The Whyįabric chewing and sucking is relatively rare in cats. There are many possible reasons for pica behavior. Pica is considered an obsessive/compulsive-type behavior. The most common material associated with pica is usually wool such as blankets, socks, jackets, etc., but some cats will nibble on just about anything such as paper, cardboard, plastic grocery bags, litter or shoelaces. This is defined as the eating of non-food material. Wool sucking can sometimes transition into Pica behavior. This is the repetitive sucking of fabric, and although it is referred to as wool sucking, the target can be whatever substance the cat prefers-cotton, synthetic, carpet, cardboard, plastic, etc.
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