![]() In cats, self-grooming and scratching increase in response to conflict and with repeated stress, and might progress to self-traumatic disorders. 8 Compared to a control group, cats with pica vomited more frequently and cats in the control group were more likely to be fed ad lib. However, only three improved with gastrointestinal treatment. 7,8 In a recent case series of cats with fabric sucking and ingestion, seven of eight had mild to moderate gastroenteritis. 7Ĭompulsive disorders are diagnosed by first ruling out medical conditions that might cause or contribute to the signs, including anemia, FIP, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, cancers, and gastrointestinal disease. 7 Significantly more cats in the pica group were likely to self-suck, indicating that there may be common contributing factors. 7 No association was found between pica and a suboptimal environment or early weaning. In another study of 91 cats with pica, most of which were domestic shorthair, the most common targets were shoelaces, thread, plastic and fabric. 2 In Siamese, Burmese and Birman cats, there appears to be a genetic predisposition, which may be triggered by social or physical stressors in the environment. In one study focused on Siamese and Burmese cats, wool was most commonly chewed, followed by cotton, synthetic fabrics, rubber, and plastic. However, the behaviors become compulsive when they are repetitive, excessive and fixated on a goal, including wool or fabric sucking, chewing or pica. 3Įnvironmental licking, chewing and picas may begin as normal behaviors arising from play and exploration, or because of taste, texture or odor appeal. 1,2 However, multiple neurotransmitters might be implicated, including alterations in dopaminergic and glutamatergic pathways or opioid receptors. Abnormal serotonin transmission has been identified as a primary mechanism by which compulsive disorders are induced, and drugs that inhibit serotonin reuptake can be effective, e.g. With repeated stress, the behavior may become compulsive, with altered neurochemical responses, especially in individuals that are genetically predisposed. The behaviors may initially be seen in response to situations of conflict (competing motivations or uncertainty), frustration (motivation to a achieve a goal that is behaviorally or physically prevented) or in environments that do not adequately meet the pet’s behavioral needs. In addition, there may be a lack of control in terminating or initiating the behavior. They may be sufficiently intense or sustained that they cannot be easily interrupted or directed into alternate outlets. Compulsive behaviors arise from normal behaviors that become exaggerated, repetitive, out of context, and fixated on a goal. For example, self-trauma can lead to pain, inflammation, and infection, while pica can lead to gastrointestinal signs and foreign body obstructions. The diagnosis is further complicated, as the medical problem could be either the cause or an effect of the behavior. Stress may also contribute to both gastrointestinal and dermatologic disorders. Clay-based cat litter can also cause bentonite toxicosis if your cat eats it in large enough quantities.Chewing, both environmental and self-directed, may be normal behavior a displacement behavior arising out of conflict, frustration and stress or an abnormal repetitive behavior which may be a result of an underlying medical condition or a compulsive disorder. Cat litter isn’t a good choice for your cat to eat, though!Ĭlumping cat litter can be dangerous for cats to eat, as once it makes contact with the moisture in their digestive system, it can clump together and cause a blockage. In other cats, like curious kittens, it’s simply another way for them to explore their environment. Some cats might suck on something like a plastic bag as a self-soothing mechanism. This can be especially relevant for cats that may have been abandoned by their mother. It’s thought that pica in some cats is used as a comfort mechanism, like suckling. ![]() Besides litter, this can include dirt, plastic, fabric, and more. Pica is the scientific term for when your cat eats non-food items. What is pica? Image Credit: DarkmoonArt_de, Pixabay So, before we look at solutions, let’s take a quick look at what pica is in more detail and what causes it. The technical term for litter-eating behavior is pica. We rounded up a few top tips for getting your cat to stop eating litter, as well as advice for how to get to the root of the problem. It seems like a gross habit, but it can be a sign of a behavioral or health problem that needs to be solved. One of those things is eating cat litter. ![]() We might love our cats, but every now and again, they do something that makes us shake our heads.
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