Food is a very important aspect in the feline's life In nature, hunting is not only fun for cats teach their puppies from a very young age, but also the only means of livelihood they have. House cats, on the other hand, do not usually have a problem getting their food. Whether dry or wet, homemade or processed, a house cat has what it needs to stay he althy and happy at its fingertips.
Despite the above, some cats develop the habit of chewing, licking and even eating certain materials such as plastic. This, of course, is dangerous. Keep reading this article on our site to discover why your cat eats plastic
The cat eats plastic out of boredom
A bored cat develops behavior problems, and one of the ways to express it is by nibbling or eating anything, including plastic. They can be shopping bags or a container that is within reach, among others. Your cat can eat it if you don't give it the necessary stimuli to get distracted and burn all its energy. Discover the main symptoms of a bored cat and don't miss our article with the funniest toys for cats.
Chewing plastic and other materials out of boredom is very common in cats that live in apartments and do not have access to the outside, as well as those that do not have other animal companions to play with.
Eating Problems
There is a disorder called pica, with which the cat feels the need to feed on non-edible things, including plastic. It indicates a serious feeding problem, because the feline does not do it on a whim, but because he feels that the food he is receiving does not contain all the nutrients he needs.
If this is the case with your cat, you should review the food you provide and, if necessary, seek veterinary advice to prepare an adequate diet that covers all your nutritional requirements.
Under stress
Stress is capable of wreaking havoc on the physical and emotional he alth of your furry companion, and may be one of the reasons that explain why your cat eats plastic A change in routine, the arrival of another pet or a baby, among other factors, unleash episodes of stress and anxiety in the feline. Check our article on symptoms of stress in cats and learn how to identify it to start treating it.
In this case, eating the plastic is just a way to relieve the nervousness you feel, by distracting yourself with something else. Therefore, you must identify the factor that has developed this state in your feline and treat it immediately.
You need a dental cleaning
As you probably already know, cleaning your cat's teeth should become a part of their care routine. Sometimes, it is possible that a piece of food is caught in your cat's teeth, or that he is experiencing some type of discomfort in his gums. To try to remove food or relieve discomfort, you may resort to biting on something hard, like a plastic object.
Digestion aid
Just like humans, cats also feel heavy after a lot of food, so some are looking for something to speed up the digestion process. A solution can be chewing plastic, although without swallowing it: continuing to chew after having eaten activates a series of enzymes that stimulate digestionIn this way, the cat gets rid of the feeling of heaviness sooner than expected.
If this is the reason that justifies your cat eating plastic, you should review the amount of food you offer him daily and make sure you provide the correct one.
Do you 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 so that they degrade more quickly, and even if you don't notice it, your cat does.
Others contain lanolin or pheromones, which are very appetizing for cats. In addition, most retain the smell and taste of the food they contained, causing the cat to mistake the plastic bag for something edible. Similarly, in the case of the bags, the noise they produce makes them a fun toy that can even be related to the screeching of a prey, so during the game the cat may bite it.
When it comes to plastic containers, it is more common for them to bite the one they use to eat if it is made of this material. Why? Simply because the plastic accumulates the smell of cat food.
What to do if your cat eats plastic?
Eating plastic is a behavior that should never be ignored, because not only do you run the risk of the cat choking on the piece, but also the material can roll up in his stomach, a fact that would eventually kill him.
Observe his behavior and go to the vet so that together you can determine what could be triggering this problem. Check the food you give him and control the stimuli that are stressful. Give him hours of fun and play, plus a checkup of his teeth. Prefers metal or ceramic containers for food and water.
With these tips we are sure you will be able to discover why your cat eats plastic and find the best way to help him.
