Many cats will experience stress due to a health problem, even if they don’t show any other signs of being ill. If your cat continues to pursue the plastic, get your cat a checkup.Rule out any possible stressors in your cat’s environment and do what you can to make your cat feel at ease.Start by reading our guide to cat stress.This can lead your cat to seek out anything soothing, which may include hiding in dark, quiet places, scratching your favorite curtains, or eating things she shouldn’t. Like too much attention from the kids, not enough attention from you, being bullied by another cat in the house, not having enough stimulation or play time, or hidden illnesses. Unfortunately, there’s a lot that can stress your cat out Get 20% + a Free Toy Use Code PRETTYBLOG at CheckoutĪs cool as they come off, cats don’t handle stress well. As a general rule, the fewer ingredients, the better. Opt for cat food that lists healthy protein and fat sources - like chicken, fish, turkey, liver, and eggs - in the first 5 ingredients. If you see the words “grain,” “byproduct,” or any other harmful pet food ingredients, toss it. Look at the ingredients and make sure the first five are things you recognize. What to do: Take a look at your cat’s food. Cats that are fed manufactured cat food that’s lacking the proper balance may seek out other sources of nutrition. The best cat diet is one that is high in protein, moderate in fat, and super low in carbohydrates. But eating plastic?Īs a good cat owner, it’s up to you to get to the root of the cause and help your fur baby choose healthier options.Ĭats are highly instinctual animals, which means if they’re not getting something important in their diet, they’ll track down ways to get it - even if it means eating plastic bags. Why they do anything is a mystery cat-parents love to ponder, mostly because the majority of your cat’s quirks are ridiculously cute. Here’s what could be causing your cat’s odd plastic habit.Ĭats are enigmas. As a cat owner, when should you be worried that this cat behavior has gone too far? If your cat is nibbling on grocery bags, packing pillows, and shrink wrap, there may be an underlying reason - other than your cat being weird. Īfter all, plastic isn’t exactly a nutritious feline snack, right?Īctually, plastic pica - a recurring behavior of eating or chewing on plastic - is quite common in cats. Your cat didn’t become a freaky eater overnight, so don’t give up if you don’t see results right away.It can be scary to see your fur baby nibbling on something with child safety hazards printed all over it – whether that's a grocery bag, a plastic cat toy, a plastic wrapper, or any other plastic item. If your cat’s feline pica is behavioral in origin, it will take time to get her out of the habit of chewing nonfood items. A short course of anti-anxiety medication can jump-start the process, but that’s best left to the discretion of your vet or the behaviorist you choose to work with. Check the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists and International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants websites to find one in your area. Be sure to put Venetian-blind cords safely out of your cat’s reach, too.Ī cat behaviorist might be able to work with you and your cat. If there are places where you can’t hide wires, a nontoxic deterrent spray such as bitter apple might make exposed cords taste gross enough to stop your cat from chewing. Keep your cell phone charger, headphones, USB cords, and the like in a plastic storage container with a tight-closing lid. Use cord guards to keep electrical wires away from your cat’s teeth. When you’re done, put the teaser toy away where your cat can’t reach it. Teaser toys are great for exercise and mental stimulation, and a tired cat is a nondestructive cat. When you’re home, give him lots of interactive play time. Give him puzzle toys including things such as rolling treat balls to keep him busy while you’re away at work. You can ease a cat’s boredom by providing environmental enrichment. Begin by addressing the cause of the stress (do a web search for "stressed cat" and you’ll find lots of advice on how to do that) and spending time with your cat to help her adapt.įeline pica is also pretty common in bored or lonely cats. If there has been a change in your life recently - moving to a different house, a new schedule, new roommate, outdoor construction - your cat might be acting out because of anxiety. Highly stressed or anxious cats might use chewing behavior as a self-soothing technique. Your vet might also be able to give you some advice on how to manage the behavior. Make sure your cat isn’t eating non-food items in an effort to get nutrients she needs or because an illness is triggering the disorder. Any behavior issues should be addressed with your veterinarian, because behavior changes can indicate a health problem.
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