![]() Sarah-Jane White, Animal Behaviorist and Trainer for Perfect Pet Insurance, suggests this explanation "may be hard to hear for some pet owners." The TICA President said: "If your cat has other symptoms, such as bad breath, trouble eating, or drooling, and their gums look red and irritated, it's time for a trip to the veterinarian for a dental exam." Boredom or Stress Harrison believes this is "related to dental problems such as periodontitis, gingivitis, and tooth resorption, which are common in cats." Occasionally a cat will chew on plastic because it makes their teeth and gums feel better. Harrison said: "There are numerous health conditions that can be the cause of your cat biting plastic, the most frequent being diabetes, dental issues, anemia, hyperthyroidism, and feline leukemia virus (FeLV)." Dental Disease ![]() ![]() If your cat is eating, chewing, or licking plastic or plastic bags, the first step is a trip to the veterinarian to make sure your cat is not sick. Pica is when cats chew or eat non-food objects, such as plastic. She told Newsweek: "Some plastic items are completely okay for your cat to chew on, but plastic items that are small enough to completely fit in a cat's mouth pose a choking hazard and cause obstructions that prevent food and water from passing through the body or puncture or tear the stomach or intestines if the item has sharp edges or corners," warned Harrison. The International Cat Association (TICA) President Vicki Jo Harrison suggests most cats that chew or eat plastic, start doing so "because the object tasted good or they enjoyed playing with it", but there are inherent dangers to the habit. Pam Johnson-Bennett, of the Cat Behavior Associates (CBA), believes cats may chew on plastic items for several reasons and told Newsweek: "it's important to determine the underlying cause." ![]() So, why do cats eat plastic? Experts explain your feline's penchant for pica and steps you can take to snap them out of this habit. Cats are the most pampered of pets, with owners catering to their diet, health and entertainment.Īs a result, it may come as a surprise how often pet felines are drawn to plastic bottles, bags and other items from the trash, in a phenomenon known as "pica". ![]()
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