Don't eat any more cardboard. It is possible that our domesticated pets are seeking to indulge this natural behavior by ripping or shredding paper and cardboard. For an adult cat, chewing cardboard could help relieve sore and irritated gums. Illustration: The Spruce / Melissa Ling Wires and Cords . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This morning I can tell he would like to have a drink, but will not and will not eat, not even his favorite shrimp. Do you have a very spirited cat or an anxious one? In cats, these items most often include fabrics, elastics such as hair binders, cardboard, paper, and plastic. First, some cats are just picky! Cats that start eating strange items, such as their cat litter, must be checked by a vet. Some cats chew and rip but don’t eat and some cats just lick these odd materials. It’s worth taking a look in their mouths to see if there’s any redness or inflammation that could signal gum disease. Second, while paper eating may indicate pica (eating non-food items) which may or may not indicate a nutritional imbalance — this is something only your vet can answer — it can also just be a “cat thing.”, Please note, comments must be approved before they are published. cardboard is not toxic. He'll eat corrugated cardboard (the kind that's used in sturdy boxes) and also the thin cardboard that's used in things like cereal boxes. Wild cats do not have access to steak knives. SmartyKat Loco Laser Cat Toy $4.33, Chewy.com . Top 7 High-Quality Beds to Keep Your Dog Warm Outside. My cat, Bella, just loves to chew. You didn't exactly show me a photo of the cardboard you ate. By playing with your cat using these toys, you can satisfy their hunting instinct, which is likely why they're chewing on paper and cardboard … Some cardboard does. Oriental cat breeds, such as the Siamese cat, are commonly affected by pica and it is believed to be a genetic disposition. First, the age of the cat makes a difference. Give your cat something else to chew. There are many reasons that range from teething to nutritional deficiencies to disease and conditions among many others. He doesn’t Eat them, just chews on them ‍♀️, Hi April. If your cat not only chews but also tends to eat cardboard, it may suggest a health issue like pica. What has that shipping box come in contact with on the way to your house? Whatever the reasons behind your cat’s interest in paper and cardboard, observe him carefully. Besides the above causes, displacement behavior, early separation of kittens from their mothers, attention-seeking, stress, compulsive disorders, may also be a cause. Cardboard is her favorite, but if she can’t find cardboard, she’ll be glad to chew on paper. Courtney, it sounds like your 1.5 year old is true cat! It is pretty much paper and is totally broke down in the stomach. Here are the possible reasons why it happens. This behavior chewing or eating non-food items or things that have no nutritive value including others such as eating litter, dirt, sucking wool, socks, shoelaces, plastic, plants and so on is referred as to pica. Ingested non-food items can cause dangerous intestinal blockages, so keep paper and cardboard away from cats with a tendency to consume. Cats can develop pica if they are weaned to early. Why is my cat chewing cardboard? The most common of these are either a gastric or intestinal blockage. This is most often discussed in dogs, e.g. Cat in the Box boxes are all made in the U.S.A. and the inks are soy-based and human grade. No, more closely. I am qualified to say a couple of things here first (once you’ve ruled out any medical reasons for your cat’s finickiness). While teething, most kittens will enjoy chewing various things as it makes them feel good. If your cat knocks their kibble out of the bowl and across the room before … But why do cats eat cardboard? No I did not eat cardboard... recentley anyway. Anyway, my cat will eat tons of cardboard. It’s a behavior that can very easily enter other areas of a cat’s life.” While the behavior on its own shouldn’t necessarily be cause for alarm—cats just sometimes like to chew on stuff—if a cat’s urge to chew becomes compulsive, it can lead to serious issues. Loneliness, lack of enrichments including toys, or your absence may make these pets so bored and end up chewing, shredding or eating things they are not food. How to deal with a cat eating paper or cardboard? In order to ingest prey they have just killed, they may have to break their meal into bite-sized pieces by ripping or shredding it. You cat may not like the food you’re offering, or may prefer wet food. Join our newsletter to get cat-tastic news and fun cat things. Kittens have baby teeth just like human babies and it may feel good to them to chew on something with a little “give” as the adult teeth erupt. Get our free ebook, "Why Is My Cat So Weird?". FREE US SHIPPING • Have questions? Needs fiber?”. They often mark what is theirs using their urine or by chinning those items. Other medical problems, such as thyroid issues, can also lead a cat to eat a non-food item. No one else has mentioned this, but dissection is often cited as part of a carnivore's prey drive. It is possible that your cat's observable behavior is a form of play, which often contains components of the predatory sequence. This blog post explores some of the reasons why your cat is driven to turning paper products into confetti. Various diseases and conditions including anemia, feline leukemia, tumors, diabetes, kidney disease, feline immunodeficiency virus, diabetes, among others have been blamed for pica in cats. Also, the cat’s diet may lack essential nutrients that may irritate. He also likes to chew on paper. Okay. “Why do cats eat paper and cardboard?” is a common thread topic on cat forums, and the questions and comments posters submit range from “Why do cats love to tear apart paper?” and “Does anyone else’s cat like to munch Kleenex tissue and toilet paper?” to “Cat licking paper, boxes, etc.” and “Cat chewing paper…Pica? This article covers the variety of reasons that a cat may destroy cardboard boxes in your home, including entertainment, discomfort, hunger or picky eating, dental issues, and Pica. Biting or chewing an object might be a way that a cat says, “This box (or paper towel tube, or magazine) is mine.”. By clicking enter you are verifying that you are old enough to consume alcohol. Pica in cats is the act of eating objects that are not food. Call (508) 881-1111 • M – F 10 AM to 5 PM EST. If you notice this behavior, you need to know if your feline friend only shreds and chews or also swallows the paper or cardboard. There are several reasons this may happen. Your email address will not be published. There’s no harm in chewing cardboard for a cat. Our younger cat is roughly 1.5yrs old and LOVES biting and gnawing on cardboard boxes. Cats deliberately leave their scent on objects and humans, often by rubbing against the things they are claiming as their own. Or go ask your doctor if you have Pica. Cats enjoy chewing many things such as cardboard boxes, book covers, flip flops, wooden spoons, and others. Your cat may also be chewing on cardboard due to a dietary deficiency and because something is missing in her diet. What kinds of inks are on that paper? Cats eating (or at least chewing) on paper and cardboard isn’t unheard of. Cardboard boxes are a beneficial addition to your cat’s environment. You didn't die, so you answered your own question. Cats have a highly developed vestibular system. What do you see? However, it is essential to point out that they shouldn’t be encouraged to eat it. Eating cardboard could be related to a complex condition called pica. Cat like to play in them and chew the corners of the cardboard boxes. A bit less predictable is a feline patient of mine who’s obsessed with something a little more out of the ordinary: eating plastic. Get enough cats in a room with some paper or cardboard and somebody is bound to start munching away. It can’t taste too good and it certainly doesn’t endear them to humans, so what gives? While in the wild, once they have caught their prey, they tear and disassemble their prey’s body. The use of Hot pepper, citrus air fresheners, SssCat! Perhaps he has irritated gums and rubbing them against cardboard feels good. I estimate he eats as much cardboard as he does his normal cat food. We use cookies to help give you the best experience. The cause of pica is unknown, but experts speculate that it could be due to a number … Continue reading "What is Pica Syndrome in Cats?" A possible root cause of a tape addiction is pica, a the condition of cats eating inedible objects. Believe it or not, it does happen. Other medical concerns such as thyroid problems may encourage a cat to chew cardboard. Perhaps, as thecatisinthebox.com,  states “biting or chewing an object might be a way that a cat says, “This box (or paper towel tube, or magazine) is mine.”. Your email address will not be published. Some cats also enjoy gnawing on the smallest-size canine rawhide chews—dip them in warm water and zap them in the microwave first to soften them a bit. 99. Pica Syndrome Pica is the behavioral urge to eat nonedible materials. While most types of cardboard are considered to be non-toxic, there are still potential health risks associated with eating it. Any advice or help is … Letting Your Cat Play in Your Leftover Cardboard Boxes Is Actually Good For Them - Here's Why Jenna Wirth 8/21/2020. They develop the habit of sucking on inedible items like wool or other fabrics, and more extreme cases can involve eating things like plastic (or tape). To keep grass-eating cats from sampling houseplants, try growing catnip or a small pot of grass for your cat to nibble on. “Cats have to chew on their prey to disassemble the bodies and eat. cannister by Multivet, Bitter Apple or Band guard may help. Predatory Behavior in Dogs, but is likely to be relevant to other predatory species likes cats. Copyright © 2021 Pet Care Advisors | All Rights Researved. Get it as soon as Wed, Feb 10. Pet Craft Supply Space House Corrugated Cardboard Cat House Condo Tent Hideaway Cave Furniture Playhouse with Scratching Board and Catnip & Silvervine Blend Scratcher for Kittens and Adult Cats. At least he doesn’t actually consume the boxes, the way some do! Ingestion means taking in something that has no nutritive value and may cause other hazards including intestinal blockages. You know, like boxes. Catnip is one such good alternative. Alternative safe chew items – Look for other things that these pets may enjoy eating or chewing. It is the urge to eat non-food items and is usually observed among cats that were weaned too early. Offer the cat alternatives to chew, such as cardboard. However, it should stop once they finish teething. Nutritional deficiencies have been associated with these pets chewing various items. This is completely different from a cat that’s eating cardboard. It can be a symptom of illness. When a young cat is cutting teeth or they have a sore gum, they usually chew on stuff to ease the discomfort. Divert your cat’s need to chew toward safer, more appropriate things like cat toys inside which you can hide an edible treat or some other appealing item made specifically for cats. We have all heard that cats love to play in paper bags curl up in cardboard boxes. He doesn’t necessarily eat the cardboard, in fact he rarely does. I can see why you would be worried about your kitten! Cats usually find cords and wires to chew on especially if left alone during the day. Watching your kitty eating paper including toilet paper or cardboard box including paperback books, paper towels, diaper boxes, et cetera may seem so unorthodox to these obligate carnivores. Hi, My cat ate of of my foam rubber exericise mat yesterday am I suspect. Is he playfully and harmlessly shredding and discarding the paper or cardboard, or is he ingesting it? I’m not a veterinarian, and I always recommend that you address any concerns about health and nutrition with a qualified vet. 4.7 out of 5 stars 112. Moderna in talks with FDA to increase vaccine doses per vial. Chewing something like cardboard can soothe their gums and help the new teeth break through. Truthfully, this is one of the most annoying behavioural traits Kalista has since we know she’s hungry and … Can Cats Eat Pumpkin, Including Pumpkin Pie or Seeds? Kalista is one of those weird cats who will start chewing on cardboard anytime she is hungry but doesn’t want to eat the food that we give her. Dig deeper into the forums and you’ll find that some cats are connoisseurs of particular varieties of cardboard and paper. Expect the behavior during teething. There are cats that eat strange substances like cardboard, wool, plastic, rubber, paper and cotton. Therefore, the chewing, ripping and tearing of paper may be instinctively present even in domesticated cats. Consuming cardboard for a cat could be harmful as it could lead to many problems in terms of intestinal blockage or gastric troubles. If not teething, irritated gums may be a reason why an adult cat may seem to eat or rub against cardboard or even paper. By Dr. Laci Schaible. Fiber, fats or other nutritional deficiencies may be a cause. Be sure to provide her with a variety of appropriate cat toys and engage her in play on a daily basis to be sure she’s getting what she needs from you. And finally, give some thought to the kinds of materials your cat puts in her mouth, even if she’s not actually eating it. Look closely at this picture of S’mores. $23.99 $ 23. If your cat licks, sucks, or consumes objects around the home that are not food, she could be suffering from a condition called pica. Friends Forever Interactive Laser Cat Toy $24.99, Amazon.com. Cats eating cardboard is a common problem “Why do cats eat Some cats just have a penchant for eating or shredding paper and cardboard. Let’s see if her daughter’s teacher buys that excuse. Is your cat beyond the kitten years and still chewing cardboard? Pica is pleasurable, soothes and quite entertaining to the affected kitties, a reason why they will keep on with the habit. Anyone who has or has spent time around a teething human knows the value of those rubber teething rings. He vomitted the pieces yesterday over four two or three episodes of vomiting, he since has vomited liquid only. Try something different. Deter the habit – Use unpleasant or bitter sprays to deter them from eating cardboard or paper. It could also be boredom, a type of marking, a self-reinforcing tactile experience, a thwarted chewing/dissection instinct, or any number of other things. Her symptoms sounds like she has an ear infection. 2-pc Retractable Cat Wand Toy $9.99, Amazon.com. Sure, they’re fun to jump in and out of, but they also serve multiple valuable social and emotional functions. Required fields are marked *. Some of the ways stop this behavior includes: These are some of the ways to handle your cat that eats paper or cardboard, whether it only chews it or swallows it. Why does my cat eat plastic? While a cat that loves to chew cardboard might ingest a little in the process, cats that chew aren’t actively trying to consume cardboard. Add digestible fiber to your cat's diet, which prompts some cats to reduce their chewing activity or even stop altogether. Or perhaps your adult cat’s diet is lacking in some crucial nutrient. What if my cat rips and shreds the cardboard first? Why Is My Cat Eating Cardboard and Paper? One poster mentioned her cat’s proclivity for chewing diaper boxes, another loves paper towels, and yet another prefers paperback books. In fact, many book and cat owners probably have a few books with tooth holes in the corners. Thanks. Among other objects, cardboard boxes give them a tactical feel as well as something they can actually chew it into pieces. Eating too much at once can upset the stomach just because it is something different and different often causes short term vomiting. This article will also explore solutions to this problematic behavior with your cat’s health and well-being in mind. There’s a very big difference between chewing and eating cardboard. Possible Reasons: Some cats are just plain bored. If your cat is past kitten age and still eating your cardboard, might be he is suffering from irritated gums and rubbing the gums against the cardboard offers a great feel. Check with your veterinarian if you are concerned about any of these things. Boredom in these pets is often associated with destructive behaviors, one of them being pica. One bulletin board contributor complained that her cat was biting her daughter’s homework. Cats are known to be territorial. While there are no scientific studies to explain cats’ penchant for chewing, shredding, or even eating paper and cardboard, there are some good theories that might explain this behavior. Perhaps, when she’s shredding up today’s mail she’s bored, or nervous, or looking for a way to expend some of that excess energy. Young cats are more likely to suffer from pica syndrome. Many cats find joy in non-toy objects. Playing with Their Food.
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