Such a huge range of possible causes can be hard to digest…literally! This is why many researchers are now trying to look at what could be the root, root cause.ĭid you ever suck your thumb as a child? Or did you have that special comfort blanket or toy you loved to put in your mouth as a toddler?Ĭhewing or sucking on objects in animals is now believed to be similar to this human behavior. ![]() Other possible causes that scientists have found include: Early weaning – on a similar note, other research has found that weaning kittens early can lead to a higher chance of them developing pica.Which makes a lot of sense, right? Those are scary things for our fur babies! It’s often linked to the stress of being in a new place and to the possible emotional effects of a kitten’s separation from their littermates. Rehoming – according to researchers, pica is most likely to affect your cat in the 2 months after they are rehomed.Interestingly though, neutering seems to have little effect on the symptoms. This means it could be linked to your furball reaching maturity (those pesky hormones!) and their first feelings of territorial behavior. Age – pica is most likely to affect your kitty during the first 4 years of their life, usually between 6 to 18 months. ![]() Breed – do you have a gorgeous Siamese or Birman? Did you know that these breeds are more prone to pica than others.There are a few things that could be causing your kitty’s chewing habits. The name pica comes from the Latin word for magpie – as these birds are renowned for their unusual ability and willingness to eat pretty much anything. Unlike eating grass, which some cats may be doing to help them with any stomach issues, pica sufferers will usually be drawn to chewing anything – even things that could cause them to get really sick. What this means is that an animal suffering from pica has the desire and drive to eat items that are not providing them with any nutritional or health benefits. Pica is categorized scientifically as “the compulsive eating of non-nutritive substances”. While a little playful chewing is normal, pica is potentially dangerous for our fur babies, specifically because what they end up eating really isn’t good for them! This is why it’s important to understand what drives our kitties to chew.īecause the more we know, the better we can care for our beloved fluff balls, right? So let’s get started! Pica in Cats – Symptoms And Treatment What Is Feline Pica? Medical treatments, stress management, environmental enrichment ideas & supplement suggestions.Including the common materials cats reach for. ![]() ![]()
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