There are a variety of reasons why cats eat litter pica, possibly stemming from a mother cat abandoning her kittens, which can be reflected in nursing behaviors. Pica cats can eat all types of materials: plastic, fabric, string, paper, dirt, and even litter. Some forms of pica can be relatively harmless or annoying—such as licking plastic bags—but eating nonfood substances can cause intestinal blockages. It can also be a sign of disease. Why do cats eat garbage? If your cat or kitten is eating litter, it could be a health or behavioral issue. If you suspect this is a health problem, you should take your cat to the veterinarian, especially if the behavior is sudden. Some kittens may eat litter out of sheer curiosity and will gradually move away from the behavior under close monitoring.
- Anemia Eating litter may indicate that your cat is sick, especially anemia is a situation where an affected cat may show this sign. Anemia occurs when there is a lack of red blood cells and hemoglobin. Cat owners should check for pale, white, or blue gums. Anemia may indicate a lack of iron, trace minerals, vitamins or essential fatty acids. If your cat is anemic, anemia may also be a sign of underlying feline leukemia virus, kidney disease, bone marrow disease, or parasites. Your veterinarian will perform standard tests and may recommend blood tests, including a complete blood count and urinalysis. These diagnoses will confirm whether the cat is anemic and help screen for underlying disease.
- Nutrient Deficiencies If your cat is not getting enough nutrients from food, it may eat litter. This can happen if your cat isn’t eating a properly balanced diet, but it can also happen if your cat’s gastrointestinal tract isn’t absorbing nutrients efficiently. If a nutritional deficiency is suspected, a veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist can guide you through the appropriate steps.
- Curious kittens may eat litter out of curiosity, so it is advisable not to use clumps of litter until they are older. Ingestion of clumped waste may cause intestinal blockage. Make sure to use non-toxic trash and monitor usage. If you notice your kitten is eating litter, take it out of the litter box – Make sure your kitty does its job first. Adult cats may also snack on the litter, for example, wheat- or corn-based litter, if the type of litter has recently been changed.
How to stop your cat from eating litter
- Cats can be boring. If you see your cat eating litter, play with it to change the behavior. Throw a wrinkle ball or toy mouse, or hang a fishing rod toy to lure it out of the box
- Re-evaluate the cat’s diet. Upgrade the food you feed, especially supermarket grade dry food. Many high-quality food options are more nutritionally complete.
- Enhance the natural prey behavior of cats. In addition to increasing playtime, research food puzzles that encourage natural foraging behaviors. Using common household items as well as the different models available at pet stores, there are many ways to make your own. Educational toys are a fun way for your cat to try to get food, thereby distracting him from bad behavior.
- Try offering a pot of cat grass. Again, this will distract the litter and give your cat something else to chew on. Don’t forget the happy cat must-have – catnip. You can grow your own and provide fresh, sprinkle it on a scraper, or buy a toy full of catnip.
