Why Is My Cat Consuming Cat Litter? 10 Vet-Reviewed Causes
Cats are able to doing many issues that depart us feeling bewildered and scratching our heads. It’s usually difficult to determine if one thing that’s unusual to us is definitely regular for cats.
In relation to consuming cat litter, we are able to safely say that this isn’t regular habits regardless of how a lot your cat tries to make it appear regular. Consuming cat litter is usually related to an underlying well being concern that requires medical consideration. Listed below are a couple of potential explanation why your cat could also be consuming cat litter and what you are able to do to assist them cease this habits.
The ten Causes That Cats Eat Cat Litter
1. Pica
Pica refers to a situation the place cats will chew or eat inedible supplies and objects. Cats with pica are identified to eat objects like cardboard, crops, soil, and wooden. They might additionally develop a behavior of consuming cat litter.
Pica may be attributable to a wide range of components, it may be seen as an indication of an underlying medical situation or it may be a behavioral drawback. Some medical circumstances which have been linked to pica embrace endocrine illnesses, gastrointestinal illnesses, and parasitic infections.
2. Dietary Deficiency
Typically, cats can begin to eat cat litter and different supplies resulting from a nutrient deficiency. They do that in an try and compensate for any important vitamins that they lack of their each day weight loss program. Due to this fact, it’s essential to hunt recommendation out of your vet and guarantee your cat is consuming high-quality cat meals and consuming applicable parts. Making wholesome changes to their weight loss program might put an finish to your cat’s litter-eating behavior.
3. Anemia
Anemia may be associated to nutrient deficiencies, particularly iron deficiency, so some anemic cats might begin to eat cat litter. Riboflavin, vitamin B12, and niacin deficiencies can even trigger anemia.
Different indicators of anemia embrace low vitality, little stamina, pale gums, and lethargy. After a cat has been restored to well being and any nutrient deficiency has been addressed, the cat litter-eating habits often goes away.
4. Curiosity
Cats are curious animals, so they may simply be curious about taking part in with and tasting cat litter. Cat litter might really feel enjoyable or have a novel texture that cats need to style. Typically of curiosity, your cat will often style cat litter a few instances earlier than they turn into disinterested. So, in case your cat continues to eat cat litter on a number of events, it’s protected to say that it’s not as a result of they’re inquisitive about it.
5. Taste
Typically, cats can benefit from the taste of their cat litter and develop a liking for it. This often occurs when their cat litter is made with pure supplies like grass, wheat, or corn husks.
In case your cat likes the flavour of their cat litter, you possibly can strive switching to a different cat litter that’s made with a unique materials. You too can strive offering them with cat grass as a protected different.
6. Coprophagia
Coprophagia refers to a situation that causes cats to eat their very own feces. Cats with coprophagia might seem like they’re consuming cat litter, however they’re truly consuming their very own poop.
Coprophagia is usually an indication of one other underlying well being situation, akin to malnutrition, colitis, or dementia. Due to this fact, it’s essential to get your cat your veterinarian in the event that they begin to eat their very own poop.
7. Boredom
Cats who really feel bored or wired might resort to consuming cat litter. Consuming litter could also be a means for bored cats to really feel stimulated, or it might be a behavior that cats develop after they’re feeling wired or anxious.
Guaranteeing your cat will get sufficient train and playtime will help alleviate boredom. Offering mentally stimulating actions like deal with dispenser toys can even forestall boredom. Assuaging boredom may cause your cat’s litter consuming behavior to go away by itself.
8. Hyperthyroidism
Typically, cats with hyperthyroidism might begin to eat cat litter. The excessive ranges of thyroid hormone can enhance a cat’s urge for food and metabolism, which may make them consuming inedible objects like cat litter.
Hyperthyroidism is the commonest endocrine illness in cats, and it’s most prevalent in older cats. Different indicators of hyperthyroidism are weight reduction, consuming greater than regular, poor physique situation, and an enlarged thyroid gland.
9. Mind Tumors
Mind tumors are a uncommon sort of most cancers and an unusual reason for a cat consuming litter. Nevertheless, mind tumors can have an effect on a cat’s habits relying on their location and it’s potential for them to extend starvation.
Older cats who’re over 10 years outdated have a better danger of creating a mind tumor.
10. Intestinal Parasites
It’s not fully clear what the hyperlink between intestinal parasites and pica is, however some cats with intestinal parasites akin to worms can even develop pica. Cats might turn into repeatedly hungry, which may trigger them to begin consuming inedible objects.
Therapy will differ since there are several types of intestinal parasites. As soon as your cat is free from an intestinal parasite infestation, their pica additionally often goes away.
Is It Secure for Cats to Eat Cat Litter?
It’s not protected for cats to eat cat litter, so it’s essential to search out efficient options to stop them from consuming it. Some cat litter isn’t protected for consumption and may trigger intestinal blockages. Clumping clay litter and silica litter are each varieties of cat litter which can be significantly unsafe for consumption. It’s often okay if a small quantity will get in your cat’s mouth, however consuming massive quantities will trigger issues within the gastrointestinal system.
Consuming cat litter can be unsanitary. Ingesting parasites and micro organism from soiled cat litter can result in gastrointestinal issues.
Tips on how to Forestall Cats from Consuming Cat Litter
Step one to stopping your cat from consuming cat litter is to take your cat to your veterinarian. Since consuming cat litter is usually related to a medical concern, it’s essential to get your cat in for a bodily examination. Your veterinarian may run diagnostic assessments to search out the rationale behind your cat’s litter-eating habits. In case your veterinarian finds a analysis, they’ll have the ability to present a therapy plan to assist your cat return to good well being. In lots of instances, cats will cease consuming cat litter as soon as they’ve gotten higher.
In case your cat continues to eat cat litter, strive switching to a unique model or sort of cat litter. This will make the cat litter much less palatable to your cat and discourage them from consuming it. Make certain to additionally play together with your cat usually and distract them with one other exercise if you happen to discover them going to their litter field to eat cat litter.
Conclusion
Cats can begin to eat cat litter for a wide range of causes, however this habits is usually tied to a well being concern. Due to this fact, it’s finest to get your cat to your veterinarian as quickly as potential if you happen to discover that they’re beginning to eat cat litter. Your veterinarian will help you perceive what’s inflicting this habits and how one can forestall it from occurring.
Together with getting your cat medical assist, it’s essential to make sure they’re residing a wholesome way of life that consists of a nutritious weight loss program, sufficient quantities of train, and mentally stimulating actions. Prioritizing your cat’s wellness can forestall them from consuming cat litter and creating different unsafe or unhealthy habits.
Featured Picture Credit score: Oleg Opryshko, Shutterstock
