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.

This game will tap into your cat’s natural foraging instincts and encourage a healthy eating pace. Play with her throughout the day and give her toys she can play with when you’re not around, like chew toys and puzzle games.įor example, the Buggin’ Out Puzzle & Play Cat Game has 16 hidden treat compartments where you can hide her favorite cat food she can find and nibble on. It’s especially important to give your cat her own space, including a bed if you’ve moved into a new home.Īnother way to help your bored or anxious cat is to stimulate her physically and mentally with cat toys. It offers 360 degrees of coverage so your cat can hide away and burrow, and it’s machine washable, so you can just throw it in with the laundry when it gets dirty. If your cat has anxiety or compulsive disorder, you might need to put her on anxiety medication or make changes to her environment at home to relieve her worries.įor instance, you could get her a cat bed and put it in a room with a door so she has a private space to go to when she becomes upset.Ī pet hut provides the ultimate cozy and snuggling experience. If they do discover health issues, then your vet will let you know what to do next. Your vet will need to rule out any health problems. The first step you should take is to contact your veterinarian if you see that your cat is experiencing pica.

She may not be getting enough mental or physical stimulation and is eating, ingesting, or sucking on household objects to keep herself occupied. Another possibility is that your cat is simply bored. Other issues that your cat may be dealing with are compulsive disorder or anxiety. If you are raising a small kitten, you should ask your vet when it’s best to switch over from her mother’s milk.

Your cat may have been weaned too early and is substituting it with pica. Wool sucking, which may be the first sign that your cat has pica, is a habit that Birman, Oriental, and Siamese cats tend to have. Some cats have a genetic predisposition to pica. Some other medical issues your cat could be going through include constipation, pancreatitis, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), hyperthyroidism, feline leukemia, brain tumors, and diabetes. She could also have nutritional deficiencies or mineral deficiencies she’s trying to solve.

If your cat is eating mostly plants, this could be because she has anemia. Your cat may have strange cravings because she’s anemic, for instance.

Pica in cats meaning