Content
- Why does a cat eat plastic?
- 1. Boredom
- 2. Eating problems
- 3. Suffers from stress
- 4. Need a dental cleaning
- 5. Aids digestion
- Does he like plastic?
- My cat ate plastic, what to do?
Food is a very important aspect in cat life. In the wild, hunting is not only fun that cats teach their kittens from a very young age, but also the only way of life they have. House cats, on the other hand, generally have no problem getting their food. Whether dry or wet, homemade or processed, a domestic feline has what it takes to stay healthy and happy.
Despite the above, some cats develop the habit of nibbling, licking and even eating certain materials, such as plastic. This, of course, is dangerous. My cat eats plastic: why and what to do? Keep reading this PeritoAnimal article to discover this and also the reasons that lead a cat to eat plastic. Good reading.
Why does a cat eat plastic?
There are different reasons why we have a cat that eats plastic. Here they are, and then we'll detail each of them:
- Boredom
- eating problems
- Stress
- dental problems
- digestive issues
1. Boredom
A bored cat develops behavior problems, and one of the ways to express them is by biting or eating anything, including plastic. It can be the shopping bags or any container that is within your reach, among others. A cat eating plastic can be a sign that he is not getting the stimuli he needs to distract himself and burn off all his energy.
Discover the main symptoms of a bored cat and don't miss our article with the best toys for cats.
chew plastic and other materials out of boredom is very common in cats who live in apartments and do not have access to the outside, as well as those who do not have other animal companions to play with.
2. Eating problems
If you saw that the cat ate plastic, know that there is a disorder called allotriophagy or cock syndrome, with which the cat feels the need to feed on inedible things, including plastic. Allotriophagy indicates a serious feeding problem, as the feline does not do it on a whim, but because it feels that the food it is receiving does not contain all the nutrients it needs.
If this is the case for your cat, you should check the food you provide and, if necessary, consult a veterinarian to develop a proper diet that meets all of his nutritional needs. It is possible that he is dissatisfied with the feed, for example.
3. Suffers from stress
Stress can wreak havoc on your furry companion's physical and emotional health, which may be one of the reasons for a cat eating plastic. A change in routine, the arrival of another pet or a baby, among other factors, trigger episodes of stress and anxiety in the feline. See our article on stress symptoms in cats and learn to identify to start treating.
In this case, eating the plastic is just a way to alleviate the nervousness you feel, being distracted by something different. Therefore, you must identify the factor that developed this state in your feline and treat it immediately. If the cat ate plastic punctually or if it is common behavior, note this to report to a veterinarian.
4. Need a dental cleaning
As you probably already know, cleaning your cat's teeth should become part of their grooming routine. Sometimes it's possible that a piece of food gets stuck in your cat's teeth or that your cat is experiencing some sort of discomfort in her gums. For try to remove food or relieve discomfort, may resort to chewing on something hard, such as a plastic object. That is, the cat may have eaten plastic just to get rid of something else that was stuck in its mouth.
5. Aids digestion
As with humans, after a lot of food, cats also feel heavy, so some look for something that speeds up the digestion process. A solution can be chew plastic, but do not swallow it: continue chewing after eating triggers a series of enzymes that stimulate digestion. In this way, the feline manages to get rid of the feeling of heaviness sooner than expected.
If this is the reason why your cat ate plastic or why he always does, you should review the amount of daily food who offers and make sure you offer the correct one.
Does he like plastic?
It is possible that a plastic bag, for example, has certain characteristics that make it pleasant to the feline senses. Some are made with corn fiber to degrade more quickly, and although you don't notice it, your cat does.
Others contain lanolin or pheromones, which are very appetizing for felines. Also, most retain the smell and taste of the food they contained, causing the cat to mistake the plastic bag for something edible. Likewise, in the case of bags, the noise they produce makes them a fun toy that can even be related to the squeaks of prey, so that during play it is possible for the cat to take a bite.
When it comes to plastic containers, it is more common for them to bite into what they use to eat if it is made of this material. Why? Simply because the plastic accumulates the cat food smell.
My cat ate plastic, what to do?
Eating plastic is a behavior that should never be ignored, as in addition to running the risk of the cat choking on the piece, the material can also curl up in your stomach., a fact that can be fatal.
Observe the cat's behavior and look for any related symptoms. Notice if the cat ate plastic in a punctual way or it is a common behavior of the cat. Think about the context of the situation. You moved recently, have a newborn baby or made any changes that would cause him stress? Have you ever changed the cat's food? Or did you notice any symptoms of illness?
go to the vet and explain the situation. There he will certainly have a physical examination and carry out the necessary tests. The professional may recommend changing your diet, offering you more attention or changing something in your diet. Practically speaking, we should also reduce the amount of plastic in the house that cats have access to.
If you think your cat is eating plastic due to stress, check out our video below to learn more:
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to My cat eats plastic: why and what to do?, we recommend that you enter our Other health problems section.