Why Is My Cat Eating Litter?
Cats are amazing creatures, but they can sometimes be a little mysterious. When it comes to their eating habits, cats have some unusual preferences, so they might start eating non-food items.
Pica is an eating disorder that involves eating non-food items, and humans and animals might suffer from this eating disorder. When it comes to felines, they can occasionally chew on some plastic items or bite the ends of your scarf, so you won’t probably feel so concerned or prompted to take action.
However, in some cases, things can get out of control, and you might see that your cat is actually not finishing its food because it’s interested in other objects. So, why is my cat eating litter? Keep on reading to learn more about this.
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Why Is My Cat Eating Litter?
Most types of Pica are harmless, even though these non-food items provide no nutritional value. However, if your cat is eating litter, this can be a health or behavioral problem.
As a responsible pet owner, you should monitor your cat’s behavior all the time. This will help you identify any potential issues. In most cases, eating litter shouldn’t be that alarming. Nevertheless, if this behavior appears all of a sudden, you should probably contact the vet.
There are several types of litter like corn-based, clay-based, and paper-based litter, and your feline might be interested in eating one type more than the others. So, why do cats eat litter? There are several reasons.
- Some kittens start eating litter out of curiosity and will probably grow out of it. They simply want to try several things, and their sense of taste is one of the tools they use to explore the world around them. After a while, kittens will stop eating litter. However, litter eating can cause intestinal blockages and can be quite dangerous, especially if your kitten is eating lots of it.
- Anemia is another reason that can trigger Pica in your cat. If your feline has suddenly started eating litter and avoiding other types of food, you should contact the vet.
Anemia happens when there’s a lack of hemoglobin, and this will push your cat to do some unusual stuff, like eating litter. If their gums are white or bluish, this could be a sign of anemia that affects the presence of iron, essential minerals, and fatty acids.
- Cats can start eating litter if they suffer from leukemia or kidney disease, which can also lead to anemia. If you notice this unusual behavior with signs of fatigue and overall weakness, you should contact the vet. They will conduct a comprehensive medical exam to see what is wrong with the cat, so they can prescribe the right medication.
- If your cat is suffering from some nutritional deficiencies, it will start eating litter to make sure that it has all its nutritional needs covered. Clay-based litter is rich in some minerals, and this will push your cat to consume it. Your cat might also be interested in corn-based clay, which provides it with some necessary nutrients that its diet lacks. In this case, the vet will prescribe good supplements or help you make the necessary dietary changes to make sure that your feline is healthy.
- In some cases, a feline can start eating litter if you have recently changed his litter type. This can be due to a certain odor or component in the litter that makes it seem more appealing. If there’s a certain flavor that interests your feline, it might start consuming litter.
- Cats can start eating litter due to behavioral issues. They could be bored or stressed, so they might eat non-food items to attract your attention.
If you have recently gotten a new kitten that has suddenly become the center of attention, your older cat might start engaging in unusual behavioral patterns like eating litter. In this case, you should evaluate the overall behavior of the cat, contact the vet, and make any household adjustments that can help your feline feel safe and loved.
Is Eating Litter Dangerous?
Cats need a healthy balanced diet to stay in great shape. High-quality dry and wet food, in addition to the occasional treats, are designed with the feline’s nutritional needs in mind, so they target any potential health issues to keep cats in perfect health.
Eating litter can be an annoying behavior because it’s undesirable. However, it might not always be dangerous.
The whole idea depends on the composition of the litter, the cat’s age, and the quantity of litter it consumes. For example, if litter contains any sharp objects or artificial items, this can trigger some health issues in your cat.
Litter can contain some chemicals to contain the odor, and these can be harmful to the cat’s internal organs. Although these chemicals are safe, they’re not designed to be consumed by cats.
Older cats are usually more tolerant of this behavior. Kittens can suffer from intestinal blockages when they eat litter, so they should always be monitored. If your cat chews on some litter occasionally, this might not be extremely alarming. However, consuming large quantities of litter means that the cat won’t be eating the food it needs to keep it healthy.
How Can I Stop My Cat From Eating Litter?
The first thing that you should do is to have your cat checked by a certified vet. Litter eating is not uncommon among cats but should never be ignored, especially if your cat isn’t used to it. Once the vet has stated that there’s nothing medically wrong with it, you should start to work on modifying this behavior.
- Eating litter can be a sign that your cat is bored. Although cats appreciate their solitary time and can enjoy being alone, leaving your cat without any mental or physical stimulation can be a problem.
If your cat is bored, you should try to engage it with some cat toys and longer sessions of play. A fishing pole toy or a toy mouse can distract your feline and keep it away from the litter box.
- You should try to think about the quality of cat food. If you’re feeding your cat low-quality food, you should consider upgrading it to a high-quality brand that provides more nutrients. Not only will this keep your cat in better health, but it will also guarantee that this behavior will be stopped, especially if the cat is suffering from nutritious deficiencies.
Complementing the cat’s dry food with high-quality wet food will help elevate its diet while making sure that it gets all the minerals and vitamins it needs. You can also contact the vet to suggest some suitable supplements to keep your cat healthy.
- In nature, cats forage and hunt for food, so you can use food puzzles to help enhance their natural behavior. Food puzzle toys are so much fun because they allow felines to hunt and forage for their food while keeping them occupied enough to stay away from any undesirable behaviors.
- Try to switch from one type of litter to another. Your cat might be interested in eating only one type of litter, but not all. For example, if you’re currently using clay-based litter, you can switch to a paper-based type and see how your cat’s behavior changes.
- You can offer your feline a pot of grass. This will provide it with something else to chew on, other than litter. If you can plant fresh catnip in your backyard, you will be able to keep your cat happy and occupied, so it doesn’t engage in undesirable behaviors like eating litter. You can also provide your cat with some dried catnip leaves.
- Be patient and give your cat time to change its behavior. Cat owners might struggle to know what is wrong with their beloved pets, but with patience, experience, and understanding, you will be able to solve the problem.
Final Thoughts
Although cats are picky eaters, they sometimes get interested in eating unusual non-food items like litter. Litter eating isn’t always a dangerous behavior, but it can be quite alarming, especially if your cat engages in litter eating all of a sudden.
Your cat can start eating litter because it’s suffering from anemia or because it doesn’t have its nutritional needs covered. If your cat suddenly starts eating litter, you should take it to the vet to have it examined. If there’s nothing wrong, your cat might be too bored or stressed.