![]() You may even need physical deterrants like sticky tape or Ssscat. If you cannot keep your baby away from the things she wants to chew, and you consider these things to be a danger, make them unpleasant by applying bitter apple spray. Provide safer alternatives such as food-dispensing toys or small pots of organic wheatgrass. Siamese cats are high energy, so boredom may also trigger pica. Impossible to leave these things around where he can get to them unattended, and he is very sneaky! Knows all the hiding places and waits for his moment…. ![]() Unfortunately, he also likes to chew on string and hair bands. And now it is mainly during cuddles when he feels loved and secure. Over time he largely outgrew this, though he still half-heartedly tries on occasion. Signs and Symptoms of Pica in Cats: Pica is an abnormal appetite or craving for substances with no nutritional value, such as ice, clay, dirt, paper, cloth, hair, string, wool, or plastic. We taught him to use one particular blanket, so he could feel safe AND we could be spared soggy clothing! Pregnancy While there are a variety of potential causes for pica in cats, the most common cause is anxiety or stress. Not surprising, since he was getting used to a new home with new people and new cats. When our Gremlin was a kitten, we noticed that he wanted to suckle often, and it comforted him when he was feeling anxious. If your cat is eating a high-quality food, has good energy, healthy skin, a shiny coat, and has been checked out by a vet, it is time to look at behavioral factors. Make tea for hemorrhoids, give one another salt to lick or copper dirt to eat. So it is important to consult your veterinarian to rule these out. Understanding Pica : the Urge to Eat Clay, Starch, Ice, and Chalk Sera L. Physical issues such as dietary deficiency, hunger, feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus are factors as well. Other domestic kittens weaned at a very early age are also more prone to pica. Early weaning may also contribute, and again Oriental breeds have special characteristics–they tend to have longer nursing periods than the normal 6 – 7 weeks, but may not have had the option to nurse longer. There are several possible causes–a genetic component is suspected as cats in all Oriental breeds, as well as their crosses, often do it. The sucking can lead to eating, which leads to possible intestinal blockage and expensive surgery! Causes While not necessarily dangerous, it varies in severity and should be monitored. Each cat has her own particular favorites. This is often referred to as 'wool-sucking' because wool tends to be a common. Sometimes cats who were taken from their mothers at a young age, say, less than 4 weeks, never outgrow the urge to nurse. There is a whole range of non-food items that are irresistible to some cats: wool and other fabrics, human hair, elastic hair bands, plastic bags, cardboard, yarn, string, electric cords, etc. My cat sits on a bedsheet or bedspread and he starts licking the sheet or spread so much it has a wet spot. If a person with pica has an intellectual disability or mental health condition, medications for managing behavioral problems may also help reduce or eliminate their desire to eat nonnutritive items.Does your Siamese love to lick and chew on blankets, clothing, string, even plastic bags? If so, she is definitely not alone! This behavior is commonly found in Siamese cats and is collectively known as pica. A 2000 study published in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis suggested that a simple multivitamin supplement may be an effective treatment in some cases. Until recently, research hasn’t focused on medications to help people with pica. Depending on your diagnosis, they may prescribe medications, therapy, or both. ![]() Your doctor may also order a psychological evaluation to determine if you have OCD or another mental health condition. For example, they’ll recommend taking regular iron supplements if you’re diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia. If your doctor thinks your pica is caused by nutrient imbalances, they may prescribe vitamin or mineral supplements. This medication may be taken by mouth, or your doctor may prescribe intravenous chelation medications for lead poisoning, such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). This will allow you to excrete the lead in your urine. In this procedure, you’ll be given medication that binds with lead. We got the male at 3 months and the female at 5 months and both like each other very much. For example, if you have severe lead poisoning from eating paint chips, your doctor may prescribe chelation therapy. My cat keeps licking my bed sheets My male cat (neutered with all vaccination) and my female cat (same thing) sometimes like to lick my bed sheets. Spray some bitter apple on the outside of the laundry basket to keep him from. Your doctor will probably begin by treating any complications you’ve acquired from eating nonfood items. I would definitely talk with your vet especially since this is a new behavior. ![]()
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