Does your cat seem to find anything made of plastic irresistible? You may have noticed that many plastic items in your home have cat tooth marks in them.
Eating plastic is a form of pica in cats. Pica is a term used to refer to the desire to eat non-food items. Pica in cats may be caused by several reasons such as:
- Extreme nutritional deficiency/ies
- Medical issues like diabetes, tooth and gum problems, hyperthyroidism, and anemia to name a few.
- Exposure to stressors that can eventually lead to feelings of stress and anxiety. These are potent fuels of undesirable behaviors in cats as they try to find ways to vent out their distress.
- Obsessive-compulsive behavior that is fueled by stress.
- Cats possess a strong predatory drive and the sound and feel of the plastic may remind them of hunting commencing with catching and eating of the prey.
- Plain curiosity. Cats are such curious creatures. They use their mouth to investigate and learn more about their environment.
You vet care New Orleans, LA is a valuable source of information about your pet’s health and behavior.
