My cat likes to lick empty plastic grocery bags. (Even if they've never had any food in them.) Is this a symptom of something wrong, or just a 'cat behavior' kind of thing?
2006-08-30 04:48:51 · 55 answers · asked by a.absentmindedprof@verizon.net 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
No, my kitten does this too and she's perfectly healthy, so no worries. But if you notice that this is unusual than you should take your cat to the vet.
2006-08-30 05:06:49 · answer #1 · answered by Panada 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, my cat licks plastic bags incessantly. I have to toss the bags as soon as I unpack my groceries, or he will be up on the table: lick, lick, lick, lick..
I read before that bags contain corn starch, and sometimes animal fats, which attract cats. Plus, they like the texture. I don't think there is harm in the occasional lick, but you should be careful that they NEVER ingest the plastic, as it can become entangled in their intestines. Also, I don't think the dyes and chemicals they use to process the bags are all that great for kitty.. :o)
2006-08-30 05:12:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I thought my cat was the only one that did that kind of stuff, I cant bring a plastic bag into the house without her trying to lick, lay and attack it. I think it is just some weird cat behavior.
2006-08-30 05:46:31 · answer #3 · answered by blakmajik 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a cat who loved licking plastic bags. He lived to be 19 years old. I think its just a weird cat thing
2006-09-06 11:57:50 · answer #4 · answered by DARLENE H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is truly a kitty issue. I have one that is three years old and she has licked the plastic grocery bags from the first day i brought her home-she will also eat the bristles on my broom and throw them up later if I don't catch her-so be reassured your kitty is not all by itself in wierd behavior-just be cautious and not let her get a bag chewed up or stuck in her throat.through experience at a vets office I can say that it can happen-and either surgery or sometimes death can even result.
2006-09-05 05:30:38 · answer #5 · answered by dodlydink 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cats do that kind of stuff all the time. they find the simplest things entertaining. just really watch her to make sure she doesn't try to eat it. if she does just watch closely, she should puke it up and be just fine. get her a toy that makes crinkly noises instead though because if you aren't around when she does get a hold of something plastic while no one is watching she could choke on it. my friends cat has a problem with urinating on plastic stuff so i guess watch for that too but that will be more evident because of the nasty odor. you also may not want to let the kitty crawl inside the bag becuz sometimes they think theyr stuck get scared &pea
2006-08-30 05:12:10 · answer #6 · answered by margaret_mccr 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no!!!
licking and eating plastic is very common in cats.
our cat does it. she likes to rub against plastic bags, lick them, eat them, etc. it's a real sensory high for her. you should hear her purr when she is doing this to the plastic bag. i think she likes the feel of it and the sounds of it crinkling.
the problem comes when she eats a piece of the plastic and goes down in her stomach then it gives her a stomach ache and she pukes it up. you can see the bit of plastic bag in the throw up. so just keep an eye on her if she eats the plastic. actually maybe keep the grocery bags in a safe place where she can't get to them.
2006-08-30 04:55:49 · answer #7 · answered by ♪ ♫ ☮ NYbron ☮ ♪ ♫ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your cat is fine. My cats have always loved crunchy plastic shopping bags. It's quite the wake-up call at 2 am when your little friend who should be asleep crashes into a plastic bag and runs through the house with it.
2006-08-31 06:57:29 · answer #8 · answered by Sgt Squid 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not good!! I had a cat that licked and chewed on plastic bags-it's something called "pica" at least that's what my vet at the time told me. Very bad for your cat to ingest the plastic as it can cause an intestinal blockage-but ask your vet!!!
2006-09-04 18:19:31 · answer #9 · answered by gypsy56@sbcglobal.net 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only let her play with it supervised. Keep all plastic bags out of reach of kitties when you're not around.
Along with the danger of eating it and blocking intestines, kitties can also suffocate if they get stuck. (probably not common though).
My Kitty's such an idiot. She got a bag stuck around her neck and got scared, so she started to run. The bag filled like a parachute behind her, and she ran even faster around the house, through the underside of the bed, knocking things over, and running into things until we came to her rescue. Ever since, I am careful about her access to plastic bags.
2006-09-05 06:55:44 · answer #10 · answered by zosoo7 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have a cat that licks plastic 2. as long as your cat doesn't try to eat the plastic there is no problem. I think it silly when my cat does it...
2006-09-02 20:47:45 · answer #11 · answered by mskelly:) 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋