- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Cats are curious and sometimes have funny habits, but if your kitty starts chewing on cardboard or eating litter, it could be a sign of a condition called pica.
Pica is when cats eat things that aren’t food, says Dr. Liza Cahn, Veterinary Consultant for Embrace Pet Insurance. Cats with pica might chew or lick items like paper, fabric, string, plastic, plants, rubber bands, paint chips, or litter.
Keep reading to learn why cats have pica, symptoms, and how to treat pica in the short- and long-term.
What Causes Pica in Cats?
“Pica is disordered behavior,” says Dr. Jo Myers, DVM, a veterinarian at Vetster. She adds that sometimes it’s caused by medical conditions, and other times it’s a behavioral issue without a clear trigger.
Here are some reasons cats might develop pica, according to Dr. Myers and Dr. Liza Cahn:
- Nutritional problems: Most cats eat balanced diets with enough vitamins and minerals, but health issues like anemia, bone disease (rickets), or trouble absorbing vitamin D can lead to pica.
- Genetics: Breeds like Siamese, Oriental Shorthair, Burmese, and Birman are more likely to develop pica due to inherited traits.
- Digestive issues: Problems with the pancreas, liver, or intestines can stop cats from absorbing nutrients and lead to pica.
- Cancer: Blood cancers like lymphoma can cause pica.
- Kidney disease: Kidney problems are another possible cause.
- Early weaning: Kittens taken from their mother too early may develop pica or behaviors like wool sucking.
- Stress/anxiety: Stressful events like separation from their mother and littermates, teething, or moving to a new home can trigger pica in kittens.
- Boredom: Cats who are bored or stressed may chew on things like plastic or wires, which can look like pica.
- Age: Kittens and young cats are more likely to have pica, especially during stressful times. Older cats with sudden pica might have an underlying medical issue.
If there’s no clear reason for pica, kittens may outgrow it. If it’s caused by a medical problem, proper treatment can help get their eating habits back to normal.
What Are Some Common Cat Pica Symptoms?
The easiest way to spot pica is catching your cat eating something they shouldn’t, like litter, newspaper, or string. Importantly, pica doesn’t mean chewing alone. Pica involves cats actually eating or ingesting these items.
With that in mind, other signs of pica include:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Constipation
- Lethargy
- Sudden weight loss
- Stomach pain or bloating
Why is Pica Dangerous?
If you think your cat has pica, don’t ignore it. Unlike other behaviors like knocking things over or yowling at doors, pica doesn’t go away on its own—and it can be deadly.
Two major risks of untreated pica are intestinal blockages and poisoning.
Intestinal blockages
Eating things like plastic, string, or rubber bands can create a mass that blocks your cat’s digestive system. This can cause severe pain, damage, and even be life-threatening. Surgery is usually needed to remove the blockage, and early treatment improves the chances of recovery.
Signs of a blockage:
- Frequent vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Bloated or sore belly
- Lethargy
- Avoiding touch
- Straining in the litter box
- Increased vocalizing
Poisoning
Cats with pica might eat toxic items like paint chips, fertilizer-laced soil, or mop strings soaked in household cleaners. These can poison your cat, leading to serious health problems.
Signs of poisoning:
- Trouble breathing (panting or wheezing)
- Poor coordination or trouble walking
- Shaking or tremors
- Stomach pain and swelling
- Drooling, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Seizures
- Lethargy
- Disorientation
When to seek help
Dr. Cahn says if you think your cat has pica, see a vet right away.
A vet can check for medical causes like nutritional deficiencies, digestive problems, or kidney disease. If nothing is medically wrong, it might be a behavioral issue. Your vet can help create a plan with enrichment activities and advice from a cat behaviorist.
How to Treat & Manage Pica in Cats
Treating pica in cats can involve medical and behavioral steps. Here are the most effective treatments:
Medical treatments
One of the best ways to treat pica is seeing a vet. They can figure out if the pica is caused by a medical issue or behavior. They’ll help create a treatment plan just for your cat.
If pica is caused by a disease, like anemia, medication can help. For behavioral pica linked to stress or anxiety, a vet may recommend anxiety medications to reduce obsessive behaviors.
At-home remedies
If you’re looking for pica treatments at home, supplements approved by a vet are a good place to start. Probiotics can improve gut health for cats with digestive issues like IBD. Your vet may also suggest other supplements based on the cause of the pica.
Additionally, take away your cat’s favorite non-food items, like string or plastic. If you can’t remove them completely, limit your cat’s access as much as possible.
Lastly, you can apply cat-safe sprays with bitter tastes or strong smells to items your cat tries to chew or eat. Talk to your vet before using deterrents to ensure they’re safe and won’t make the behavior worse.
How to Prevent Pica in Cats
You don’t have to wait for a pica diagnosis to take action. Here are some ways to prevent it:
- Increase enrichment: Provide mental stimulation with puzzle feeders, cat towers, scratching posts, and places to perch.
- Make resources accessible: Make sure your cat has easy access to litter boxes, food, and scratching posts to reduce stress, especially in homes with multiple cats.
- Play more: Spend extra time playing with your cat to reduce stress and anxiety, which can lead to pica. Dr. Cahn says to check out the Indoor Cat Initiative for more ideas.
- Feed a balanced diet: A complete, high-quality diet ensures your cat gets all the vitamins and minerals they need.
- Stay on top of vet visits: Regular check-ups, lab tests, vaccinations, and deworming help catch health problems that could lead to pica.
