My Cat Eats plastic, but Why?
Why would a cat eats plastic if it eats three square meals a day? It’s not going to taste good. If cats eat garbage, it could be because they are worried about climate change. Then, eating plastic is better than putting it in a dump.
Even though it’s not likely that your cat is recycling, some cats eat plastic, like the covering on wires, plastic bags, or flip-flops, even when their owners offer them treats that are better for them. This behavior can be confusing for owners.
The cats that eat plastic are showing a dangerous drive called pica, which can have life-threatening effects. It might seem like a silly habit or a bothersome quirk. If you eat plastic, it can get stuck in your intestines and need surgery right away. When cats chew on wires, they can get burned or even shocked. Lucky for you, there are some things you can do to make sure your cat never does that again.
Why Your Cat Eats Plastic: 3 Common Reasons
Three main things affect your cat’s behavior: his genes, his health, and the things he has done in his life. Pica is more likely to happen with some types of cats, like Burmese and Siamese. To keep your cat from getting pica, whether he is a purebred cat or a Burmese or Siamese cross, you should take the necessary steps.
Let’s talk about your cat’s health next. Cats keep things secret. They are thoughtful animals that don’t always say what they really think. It’s hard to tell if someone is in pain or discomfort until the problem is really bad.
Cats that show pica may have a lot of different digestive issues, such as inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal blockages, not getting enough food or intestinal bugs. To put it another way, your cat may be eating plastic because of a bigger health problem.
Lastly, the things your cat has done in his life can affect how he acts. Your cat might eat something he shouldn’t if he is upset, stressed, or lacking in things to do. If you don’t treat pica, it can turn into an obsession that usually needs lifelong care, such as medicines.
Read More: 10 Easy Ways to Save Money on Dog Food
Preventing Your Cat from Eating Plastic
If you have Siamese, Burmese, or a mix of these types, you should start taking precautions early. If you don’t, your cat might start acting this way before he turns one. Keeping your cat busy is one of the best ways to keep it from getting pica.
It’s pretty boring for most cats to stay home all day, eat, hang out with you, and play with sparkly balls. But cats are very smart and naturally curious, and when they’re bored, they may try to find things in their surroundings to keep themselves busy. This can get them into trouble.
Give your cat three different kinds of toys every day to make its life more interesting. Keep an eye on the toys he likes to play with, and then buy different kinds or colors of those toys. You can keep him from getting bored by finding out what kind of toy he likes and then purchasing that one. You should take things away that you don’t want your kitten or new cat to chew on so he can’t get to them.
What You Can Do to Stop Your Cat From Eating Plastic
If your cat is already showing signs of pica, you should take him to the vet right away. Talk to your vet about your cat’s food and poop habits, and don’t forget to bring up any other symptoms that don’t seem normal, like coughing or sickness. Your vet will check the animal’s feces and give it a full checkup. She might also suggest lab tests to get a better idea of what’s wrong.
If your vet says your cat is healthy in every other way, try the tips below to stop pica. Ask the vet for a recommendation for a veterinary behaviorist if these tips and the trip to the vet don’t help. It’s available from the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists.
Make your cat’s environment better
Keep in mind that enrichment is more than just toys. Vertical room (for resting), hiding places, training, sensory stimulation, chew toys, and toys to hunt are all part of it. You can keep your cat busy by teaching him new things.
If you teach your cat to come when you call him, you can get him to stop doing bad things. The books Decoding Your Cat and The Trainable Cat can help you learn more about how to train your cat.
Remove or Restrict Your Cat’s Access to Plastic
Keep in mind that enrichment is more than just toys. Vertical room (for resting), hiding places, training, sensory stimulation, chew toys, and toys to hunt are all part of it. You can keep your cat busy by teaching him new things. If you teach your cat to come when you call him, you can get him to stop doing bad things. The books Decoding Your Cat and The Trainable Cat can help you learn more about how to train your cat.
Offer Chew Toy Alternatives
You should also think outside the box and give him safe things that will feel like plastic in his mouth. One way to do this is to think outside the box or look at chews made for dogs. Foods that have been dried out or frozen, or safe dog treats, might help. Give him something safe to chew on if you can’t do that.
You can give your cat grass or catnip, as long as catnip doesn’t bother your cat. It’s also possible to provide him with food and toys to keep him busy. There are a lot of toys that can spill food. Just remember to give these to your cat slowly. Start with a simple toy and his favorite treats.
Use Bitter Sprays
Apply sprays that taste bitter to things that are often chewed on or could be eaten if nothing else works. This might scare your cat away, but he will still chew on the next thing he finds that hasn’t been fixed. Since it’s not possible to spray everything you own, this method works best when used with at least one other.
