Purrfect Pets

Pica is a condition in which cats eat non-edible objects. Common objects cats may eat include string, yarn, plastic, electrical cords, paper clips, clothes, thumbtacks, household plants, and rubber bands. Pica can actually be very dangerous for your cat as it can lead to poisoning, intestinal obstruction, and/or electrocution or electrical burns.

No one is certain what exactly causes pica in cats, but there are several theories about what can lead to pica:

*Boredom
*Dietary insufficiencies - these cats may need more vitamins, minerals, and/or fiber in their diets
*Stress and anxiety

There are fortunately several things you can do to prevent your cat from eating things they shouldn’t. First, make sure all of the small objects are picked up around your house. Don’t leave rubber bands, paper clips, pieces of plastic, plastic bags, or staples in places your cat can easily access. Additionally, put your household plants and clothes where your cat is not able to access them.

Second, invest in some electrical cord covers or Bitter Apple to keep your cat from chewing on electrical cords. You can purchase Bitter Apple at pet stores and electrical cord covers at office supply stores.

If you think your cat has pica, you should take him or her to the vet in order to ensure that your kitty does not have a medical problem. Your vet may want to do some blood tests to ensure your kitty has enough iron in his or her blood as well as other tests to make sure your kitty’s organs are functioning properly.

Keep your cat’s stress level as low as possible. Keep your kitty’s routine as similar as possible everyday to avoid stress. Additionally, try to make any changes to food or litter or introducing a new cat to the home slowly.

Try to keep your feline entertained. Provide him or her with interactive toys and play with him or her daily. Be sure to provide safe toys for your feline to play with.

When you see your kitty chewing on something he or she shouldn’t be eating, take the item away and replace it with an appropriate item, such as a toy. There are many toys that will dispense food or treats as your kitty plays with it, and these might serve as good alternatives.

If your feline continues to chew on or eat non-food items after you have implemented these suggestions, you may want to talk to a veterinary behavioralist about other things you can do to help your cat.

Please tell me what you think in the comments section below.

Sources:

Pica: The Un-Finicky Feline: Chewing or Eating Cords, Fabric, Houseplants, Etc.

Cat World: Pica in Cats

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