If your cat starts vomiting and you notice non-food items in the vomit, you may have a case of pica. Cats may chew on things, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re eating them, so keep an eye on them. Some items they may consume according to International Cat Care include:ĭon't assume that chewing is always pica. Seeing your cat eating non-food items is a clear sign that pica is present, especially if the behavior is consistent. How can you spot pica, so you can adjust your cat's diet and lifestyle to combat the disorder? Here are some ideas: Your Cat Is Eating Non-Food Items The late onset of the problem usually has a medical cause, like an underlying health disorder or stressful situation. If the kittens leave their mothers before 12 weeks, they may develop a habit of sucking on things, then chewing, and finally eating.

One potential reason that young cats start eating non-food materials is that they were weaned too early. For cats who were 18 months old: 30.9% of owners reported pica.For cats who were 12 months old: 32.0% of owners reported pica.For cats who were 6 months old: 42.9% of owners reported pica.In one study showed how pica becomes less likely as cats mature: Many cats outgrow the disorder by about two years. Pica is very common in young cats, and it can show up as early as three months, right around the time the cat moves into a new home. In addition, Oriental breeds are prone to sucking on wool products like bedding and consuming wool fabric in the process. Unfortunately, some cat breeds are more susceptible to pica than others. Brain tumors : Brain tumors often affect a cat’s behavior because of their impact on the nervous system, which can lead to pica.Diabetes: Diabetic cats may crave non-food items when they’re suffering blood sugar disruptions.Hyperthyroidism : When the thyroid is not functioning properly, your cat may feel hungry, and that can lead to eating non-food items.Anemia : Anemia may stem from a lack of vitamins or iron, or arise from other causes, but it’s another cause of feline pica.Dental disease : Dental disease can lead to chewing behaviors and cats eventually start ingesting the items they chew.Feline leukemia (FeLV): The second most common cause of death in cats, FeLV attacks the immune system and pica can be a symptom.Feline immunodeficiency virus ( FIV ): This common disorder attacks and weakens a cat's immune system and can give them the urge to eat inedible objects.Several medical issues are linked to pica. Some cats will naturally turn to other items as potential food sources to try to fill this nutritional void and the cravings it creates. They can stem from many sources, like changing life stages, a health condition, or a poor, imbalanced diet. Nutritional deficiencies, especially vitamin or mineral deficiencies, can also be one of the causes of pica. A lack of environmental stimulation, like enough playtime or social time, can cause cats to turn to this compulsive disorder to have fun, relieve some stress, or get your attention. Environmental Causes: Stress, Boredom, or Lonelinessīoredom, loneliness, and stress in your cat's life are common culprits with pica. Below, we’ll touch on some common causes of pica in cats. The disorder isn’t well understood yet, but it could be related to a number of issues, including stress and medical issues like pancreatitis and constipation.

Pica can become a danger to your cat’s health because it can cause blockages in their intestinal tract. In some cases, kittens or young cats start by sucking on different materials and ingesting them in the process, or they progress to chewing and swallowing them. It’s common in cats of all ages, but tends to appear in younger cats. What Is Feline Pica and What Can Cause It?įeline pica refers to when cats eat non-edible items or things with no nutritional value, like plastics, fabrics, rubber, plants, soil, or paper. This guide will explain the signs of pica, reasons your cat may have a taste for non-food items, and strategies to prevent and treat pica. Have you ever caught your cat munching on houseplants or gobbling up thread from the couch? This craving for non-food items is a disorder known as pica, and although it may seem like a silly, harmless habit, it can cause harm to your pet if it isn’t examined.

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