Plastic seems to have a magical hold over many cats. “Cats are drawn to plastic due to the inclusion of stearates, which are derivatives of animal fats like tallow and lanolin, used in the manufacturing process,” explains Dr. Candy Akers, DVM, a holistic veterinarian. Cats chew and lick plastic because they’re curious about the sound, texture, and smell.
When cats actually ingest plastic, curiosity turns into a medical problem, such as pica. This is an eating disorder in which cats eat non-food items. Dr. Akers says pica typically stems from three causes: nutritional deficiencies, underlying health issues, and your cat’s emotional state.
Read on for a closer look at why cats chew and eat plastic, and explore insights and tried-and-true solutions from experts.
Why Do Cats Eat Plastic?
Sometimes cats chew on and eat things they shouldn’t. The following are the usual culprits behind plastic eating and chewing; remember, ingesting plastic is NEVER normal for cats.
1. Nutritional deficiencies
“Nutritional deficiencies that might lead to pica include a lack of fiber, vitamins, minerals such as iron, and other essential nutrients,” Dr. Akers explains.
Cats are obligate carnivores, and as a species, they have some specific nutritional needs that other companion animals like dogs don’t. Amino acids are essential for building proteins and fueling many of your cat’s bodily functions. Cats need ten amino acids and rely on their diet and what you feed them to get them.
If these amino acids or other nutrients are out of balance, it can lead your cat to disordered eating and health problems like pica.
2. Underlying health issues
Pica is the most common underlying health issue that leads to cats eating plastic. While pica can affect any cat, Dr. Akers says certain breeds, such as Siamese, Birman, and Oriental, have a higher predisposition to engage in pica behaviors. Their plastic-eating inclination may be due to genetic, behavioral, or environmental factors unique to each breed.
Age also comes into play, and younger cats and kittens are more likely to chew on plastic or engage in pica as part of exploratory behavior, teething, and because they are attracted to the animal-based stearates in the plastic.
Additional health issues that may contribute to plastic eating in cats include:
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Dental disease/gingivitis
- Anemia
3. Emotions and mental wellbeing
“Cats learn and navigate the world through using a combination of their senses,” explains Amanda Caron, cat behaviorist, IAABC Shelter Behavior Affiliate, and founder of Frisky Feline Behavior Counseling. They often use their mouths to gather information and explore unfamiliar things.
Generally, Caron says cats are intrigued by the various textures, sounds, tastes, and motions that plastic can offer. Beyond their adventurous spirits, Caron says less positive emotions that might drive a cat to eat and chew plastic include:
iStock/Bogdan Stanojevic
What Happens When Cats Eat Plastic?
It’s never good when cats eat plastic. Dr. Matt Mink, DVM, an emergency vet and medical director for the Veterinary Emergency Group, says some red flags indicate a cat needs immediate emergency care from eating too much plastic, including:
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Discomfort when being picked up/handled
- Abdominal soreness or pain
- Difficulty pooping
- Finding pieces of plastic in vomit or feces
Additionally, Dr. Akers says if cats repeatedly eat plastic, they could damage their GI tract and disrupt their litter box routine. Furthermore, Dr. Mink says cats could potentially choke and injure their mouths with sharp plastic. These injuries include sores, mouth ulcers, and cuts.
Lastly, plastic could potentially cause intestinal blockages for your cat, especially if its pieces are mixed with other materials, like string or bedding. The good news? Dr. Mink says surgeries have excellent outcomes if you catch blockage early.
How to Prevent Cats From Chewing & Eating Plastic
Dr. Akers says the best way to combat dietary or nutritional deficiency-driven pica is to feed your cat a diet rich in high-quality animal proteins, essential amino acids like taurine and arginine, fatty acids, vitamins like Vitamin E and B complex, and minerals like magnesium and zinc.
You can use supplements and probiotics to support your kitty’s digestive health and deter them from eating non-food items like plastic.
If you suspect your kitty might be eating plastic because they have pica from a nutritional deficiency, always consult with your veterinarian before giving them vitamins, minerals, or other supplements.
Additionally, cat-proofing your home for plastic is essential. Caron recommends:
- Keeping plastic bags out of your cat’s reach
- Switching plastic shower liners to fabric ones
- Closing rooms with accessible plastic products
- Locking small plastic items in enclosed containers
- Avoiding plastic food wrappers, water bottles, plastic-based toys, and milk caps for playtime
Instead, redirect your cat from eating plastic by offering them alternative stimulating toys and sensory enrichment, including the following. Always supervise your cat whenever they’re playing and watch for loose or broken pieces, cracks, tears, and sharp edges.
- Food puzzles
- Cat grass
- Interactive wand toys
- Cat-specific chew toys
- Experimenting with different textures of cat food and treats
iStock/ramustagram
Takeaway
The love affair cats have with plastic stems from a few possible causes. From stoking their natural curiosity to revealing nutritional deficiencies, underlying health issues, and their emotional state, in some cases, cats’ attraction to plastic is harmless, but it can escalate into a serious condition known as pica when they eat it frequently.
By understanding the root causes and taking preventative action, cat parents can protect their kitties from the dangers associated with plastic ingestion, boosting their well-being and happiness for many years to come.
