Pica in Cats: What to Do When Your Cat has a Fabric Feast

Some cats are extremely picky about their food; they will only eat one brand of dry food or only one or two flavors of wet food. Other cats, however, eat whatever they can find. If your cat continuously chews on or swallows inedible items, your cat has a condition known as pica.

Pica is a condition in which a cat eats or chews on inedible items such as string, plastic, paper, yarn, cords, or plants. For instance, I have caught my cat, Carmine, eating plastic, paper, and I have even caught him attempting to swallow a thumbtack!

Pica is dangerous to cats. If your cat eats an inedible item, it could get stuck in your cat's stomach or intestine, which would not allow food to go through the system. In addition, if something is lodged in your cat's stomach or intestine, it may cut off the blood supply to both of these organs. These conditions are potentially lethal. A lot of household plants are poisonous to cats, so it essential that you keep your plants out of your cat's reach. Finally, cats may be electrocuted if they chew on telephone, computer, or other electric cords.

You are probably wondering why your cat would eat inedible items. Veterinarians are not sure of the exact cause for this behavior. However, sometimes cats with pica possess another serious disease such as feline immune deficiency virus or feline leukemia. Veterinarians also believe a genetic component may be involved in pica; oriental cats, such as the Siamese, tend to exhibit pica more often than other breeds.

If your veterinarian examines your cat and determines he or she does not have a medical condition that causes your cat's pica, your cat's pica is behaviorally based. Your cat may be eating inedible objects in order to get your attention, because he or she is bored, may be hungry, or may be attracted to the odors of the objects.