You might have heard about humans eating weird stuff that is non-edible. Some cats suffer from such a condition where they chew on or eat non-food items, which we generally call “Feline Pica”. This condition motivates your kitty to feed on indigestible things like rubber bands, wool, plastic, and paper. You may find it strange, but the worst part is such acts may put your pet kitty into potentially hazardous health situations.
So, if you find your kitty getting her mouth on and chewing your plastic grocery bags, sandwich wraps, packaging materials, plastic cups, straws, or other items like these, then talk to your vet right away. Your vet may advise you about how to help your kitty give up her habit of eating things that aren’t meals.
With pet insurance, your kitty stays covered for any accidents or health emergencies, along with regular vet visits costs and ongoing treatments. Buy cat insurance, so you don’t have to take out your savings to help your cat recover from any sickness due to unexpected eating acts.
Why does your pet kitty suffer from “Feline Pica”?
Nutritional deficits
A kitty deficient in essential nutrients may feel like eating plants, plastic, kitty litter, etc. Also, cats are carnivores and need fiber-rich food; if you don’t provide food that suits her palate, she may venture out to find some on her own. So provide your kitty with what she needs the most.
Medical conditions
Some health issues may contribute to this kind of behavior in cats, such as dental issues, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, anemia, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leukemia virus (FeLV), parasites, brain tumors, gastrointestinal troubles, etc.
Stress
Your kitty may engage in eating non-edible food due to stress and anxiety. She may engage in poor habits as she tries to find an outlet for her distress. As humans engage in nail-biting when stressed, kitties may take to the nearest plastic items to vent out their worries. Simple things like adding a new pet member into the family, strained relationship with the household, or inadequate playtime may cause her rising stress levels.
Predatory instincts
The sound and feel of the crunchy plastic may remind your fur baby of her predatory drive. She may imagine she is hunting, catching, and eating prey while all she has in her paws is inanimate plastic.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
In the rarest of the cases, some kitties may become obsessed about attacking plastic from all sides. At times, they may even sacrifice their routine or show uncharacteristic aggression over these non-living things. You may find this leads the vet to diagnose the obsessive-compulsive disorder and prescribe treatment for it.
Pleasurable activity
Young kittens, especially those just discovering the objects in the human world, may find plastic fascinating to explore. Moreover, they may find it pleasant to chew and carry on doing so.
Genetics
Some cat breeds like the oriental ones are more susceptible to developing Feline Pica.
The best thing to do if you find your kitty munching on non-edible things is to get in touch with your vet. He may suggest you take corrective measures to correct your pet kitty’s improper chewing and eating behavior. Having pet insurance helps you with the vet visit costs and prescriptions. Cat insurance is essential to tackle unanticipated pet health emergencies with little financial stress on you. Buy a suitable policy, so your pet kitty is covered for excellent medical care at all times.
