Secondary symptoms of pica in cats may include: Research is still being conducted to find the exact cause of pica in cats, but veterinarians have linked the behavioral condition to several possible causes including:įeline immunodeficiency virus Feline leukemia Hyperthyroidism Dental disease Anemia Brain tumor Diabetes Learned behavior Attention-seeking Boredom Stress Anxiety The diagnosis of pica in cats begins with an exchange of information between the veterinarian and the pet owner.Īs pica can be caused by stressful or new situations, it is important to recall any new change in your schedule that may affect the feline. Pica in cats only has one clinical sign and that is consumption of inedible objects.Ĭommon target objects for feline pica include plants, electric cords, phone cords, wool, fabric, string or yarn. Pica is a serious behavioral issue that can become fatal if not addressed by a veterinarian. Other inedible objects, such as clothing and plastic, can block the intestine and prevent food from passing. Eating non-food items can be very dangerous to a cat, as chewing on electrical cords can cause a feline to be electrocuted, and plant consumption can be toxic. Pica in cats is the act of eating objects that are not food. If your cat licks, sucks, or consumes objects around the home that are not food, she could be suffering from a condition called pica. However, in severe cases of pica, the feline will consume the object entirely, posing a risk for intestinal blockage, tearing of the digestive tract, toxicity, and electrocution. Oriental cat breeds, such as the Siamese cat, are more commonly affected by pica and there is believed to be a genetic disposition. The cause behind pica is unknown, however, disease and behavioral disorders are thought to be the underlying cause behind this unusual behavior. Common target objects for feline pica include: Plants, electric cords, phone cords, wool, fabric, string, or yarn.
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Dodman, section head and program director, animal behavior, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, author The Cat Who Cried for Help.Ī feline with a mild case of pica may suck or lick on inedible objects, but not actually consume said object. Dont wait for a life threatening intestinal blockage or an underlying medical problem to come to the fore before talking to your vet about your cats unusual cravings. If your cat continues to eat non-food items and you know its not a medical issue, look for a certified applied animal behaviorist (CAAB), suggests Moon-Fanelli. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at University of California, Davis, as well as other vets and animal behaviorists, suggest the following actions: Applying strong-smelling substances like citrus air-freshener or foul-tasting things like hot sauce, Bandguard, or Bitter Apple to items like power cords can cause a cat to steer clear. This habit can be dangerous because many houseplants, such as lilies, tulips, chrysanthemums, and English ivy, are poisonous to cats or can cause gastrointestinal upset. And although nibbling on a bit of paper or occasionally chewing on a plastic bag - some of which contain gelatin, which cats can sense - could simply be a harmless little quirk, “Its hard to know,” Plotnick says. Dodman, section head and program director of Animal Behavior at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Oriental cats “are predisposed to that,” he says.Īnd some cats move on to eating stranger items such as shoelaces, paper, plastic goods like grocery bags and shower curtains, and even electrical cords, says Nicholas H. Many cats will nurse on wool, says Arnold Plotnick, DVM, a veterinary internist and feline specialist in New York. Your veterinarian may prescribe antidepressants to help reduce your cat’s anxiety level and manage pica. In severe cases, medication may be necessary. If your cat suffers from pica syndrome, it is important to pay close attention to their eating habits and energy levels to monitor for signs of an intestinal blockage.īitter sprays are designed to have a foul taste, which may deter your cat from eating specific objects. The onset of pica can be as early as 3 months of age and some cats are able to grow out of it by 1-2 years of age. The cause of pica is unknown, but experts speculate that it could be due to a number of causes such as being weaned too young, dietary deficiencies, genetics, boredom, compulsive disorder, or stress.
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Young cats are more likely to suffer from pica syndrome. In cats, these items most often include fabrics, elastics such as hair binders, cardboard, paper, and plastic.
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Pica is the behavioral urge to eat nonedible materials. 2) Provide Your Cat With Environmental Enrichment.Environmental Causes: Stress, Boredom, or Loneliness.