Why Do Cats eat there own cat litter ?.?

Question

We have had a new kitten & the older cat dont like him.

I'ts the older cat eating it..

The cat litter is not by there food..

Answer 1

Hi there...Here's an article found on iVillage about why cats eat their litter and what you can do to help:

Cats are well-known for being fussy eaters, always demanding the freshest, tastiest foods. But occasionally a cat will go to the other extreme and begin snacking in the most unappetizing of places, the litter box.
Eating litter isn't necessarily dangerous, although cats that take more than a small nibble may get obstructions in their intestinal tracts. The real problem isn't the litter lunch itself but the underlying condition that is causing them to take up the habit.
"A cat that suddenly starts eating litter is almost always sick," says Jane Brunt, D.V.M., a veterinarian in private practice in Towson, Maryland. For example, cats with anemia, a condition in which the body doesn't have enough red blood cells, will sometimes eat litter. Vets aren't sure why they do it, but it may be nature's way of getting more iron into their systems. Cats with kidney disease or feline leukemia will also eat litter on occasion, she says.
"Cats with poor diets, especially those given vegetarian diets, may crave nutrients," adds Carol A. Tice, D.V.M., a veterinarian in private practice in Cary, North Carolina. The clay used to make litter is rich in minerals and may act as a natural supplement. Cats that keep eating litter, however, may actually lose nutrients because the clay will leach out more minerals like iron, zinc, and potassium than it puts back in.

t doesn't happen often, but sometimes cats will develop unusual compulsions, in which a normal habit, such as licking litter off their fur after using the litter box, becomes an uncontrollable urge, says Elizabeth Shull, D.V.M., a veterinary behaviorist and neurologist at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in Knoxville. This type of compulsion is thought to be caused by chemical imbalances in the brain, she explains.
Next page: See Your Vet If...


See Your Vet If...
Your cat is on a vegetarian diet.
Your pet has pale or white gums.
Your pet has eaten antifreeze, houseplants, or other harmful substances.
She has missing or broken teeth.
Her teeth are gray or black.
She has been vomiting for more than a day or is vomiting blood.
She has had diarrhea or constipation for a day or more.
You have noticed weight gain or weight loss.
Your pet hasn't eaten for more than 24 hours.
She is eating, drinking, or urinating much more than usual.
Her abdomen is bloated or feels tight.
She is drooling more than usual.
There is a bulge in her throat.
Your pet seems unusually tired and lethargic.
She has sores on her gums or tongue.
She seems to be having trouble chewing or swallowing.

A few common causes of appetite and eating problems are dental disease, cushing's disease, diabetes, cancer, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and kidney disease. Learn more about these common conditions now.
Dental Disease
Sometimes eating can literally be a pain. If your pet is chewing in a funny way (gingerly or on one side of her mouth), has bad breath, or has gums that are inflamed or bleeding, chances are that she has dental problems.
Unlike humans, dogs and cats don't get cavities. But they do get other tooth and gum problems that can take away their appetites. Dental problems are quite common, affecting more than 80 percent of dogs and cats after the age of three. The most common dental problem is periodontal disease, in which bacteria-laden plaque on the teeth erodes gum tissue and possibly causes the teeth to loosen.
To prevent periodontal disease, vets recommend brushing your pet's teeth every day. It is also a good idea to give her dry food and crunchy snacks since these will help scour the teeth clean. In addition, some vets recommend giving the teeth a professional cleaning once a year to prevent plaque from accumulating.

Cushing's Disease
This is a condition in which the pituitary gland produces excessive amounts of the hormone ACTH, causing the body to produce high levels of cortisol and other steroids. When cortisol levels rise, so does your pet's interest in eating and drinking. Cushing's disease, which is often caused by a tumor on the pituitary gland, affects mainly middle-aged, purebred dogs. One of the main symptoms is an increase in appetite. It can also cause your pet's coat to get dry and thin. The usual treatment for Cushing's disease is to give medications (usually for life) that decrease the body's ability to make cortisol.


Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition in which either the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin or the body is unable to take full advantage of the insulin that is produced. Insulin is a hormone needed to transport glucose (blood sugar) and fats into the body's cells. When glucose and fats don't get inside cells, they stay in the bloodstream, damaging tissues throughout the body. Pets with diabetes will often drink enormous amounts of water -- the body's attempt to dilute the sugar- and fat-rich blood before it does harm.

"There is all this sugar in the blood, but the cells are starving," adds Dean Gebroe, D.V.M., a veterinarian in private practice in Los Angeles. Pets with diabetes eat and drink with all their might, but without insulin, the cells are unable to take in the energy-giving glucose.
Some pets with diabetes will require daily shots of insulin to lower blood sugar levels. In many cases, however, this condition can be controlled or even eliminated by simple lifestyle changes -- by helping overweight pets lose weight, for example, or by making changes in exercise and eating habits.
Cancer
As with any disease that affects the whole body, cancer will often stifle a dog's or cat's interest in eating. This is particularly true when the cancer affects the stomach, intestine, or any other part of the digestive tract.
"A common scenario with an older dog or cat that suddenly stops eating is an invasive cancer somewhere in the gastrointestinal tract, usually in the intestine," says Karen L. Overall, V.M.D., Ph.D., head of the behavior clinic at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in Philadelphia.

s with cancer in humans, there are many treatments available, from chemotherapy to radiation to surgery. And since it is essential for pets with cancer to eat properly in order to keep up their strength and keep the immune system working well, it is important to call your vet immediately if your pet's appetite seems to be dropping.


Hyperthyroidism
Pets with overactive (hyper) thyroid glands are hungry all the time, yet thin as a rail. They drink a lot, sleep less than they used to, and tend to be agitated and fidgety. "The thyroid is kind of like the gas pedal of the body," explains Sandra Sawchuk, D.V.M., clinical instructor of small animal medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in Madison. "It regulates metabolism. If it's producing too much hormone, it's like revving the engine constantly."
In cats, hyperthyroidism can be treated with medications that slow the metabolism to normal levels. Vets may also recommend treatments with radioactive iodine, which destroys abnormal thyroid tissue while keeping the gland intact. Radioactive iodine is usually the preferred option, says Dr. Gebroe, but also the most expensive. In dogs, surgery is usually needed to remove the overactive gland because it could contain a malignant cancer. "Because more than half of thyroid tumors in dogs are malignant, surgery will probably be required to help prevent the spread of the cancer to other organs," says Craig N. Carter, D.V.M., Ph.D., head of epidemiology at the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory at Texas A&M University in College Station. "The malignant form of thyroid cancer is much less common in cats, but it can occur and may also require surgery."

Hypothyroidism
Pets with underactive (hypo) thyroid glands don't produce enough of this important hormone to keep their metabolism running at healthy levels. As a result, their appetite drops, yet they gain weight. They may be sluggish and tired as well.
While hypothyroidism is very rare in cats, it is one of the most common hormonal conditions in dogs. In most cases, it is easily treated by giving pets thyroid hormone supplements, which replenish the body's natural supply.
Intestinal obstruction. When your pet develops a taste for inedible items, like pocket watches or rings, replacing your possessions may be the least of your concerns. Swallowing objects can cause an intestinal obstruction, resulting in a loss of appetite, constipation, nausea, abdominal pain, or vomiting. Intestinal obstructions can be life-threatening, so it is essential to see your vet immediately if you even suspect this is the problem.
Your vet can identify intestinal obstructions with an x-ray. In most cases, however, surgery is the only way to remove swallowed objects and relieve the blockage.


Kidney Disease
In older pets particularly, kidney disease is a common cause of lost appetite. "If the kidney is not functioning properly, it can't filter all the toxins out of the blood," says Dr. Gebroe. "Toxins will accumulate, and your pet will lose her appetite."

n addition to lost appetite, symptoms of kidney problems include drinking a lot, weight loss, and possibly vomiting.
Kidney disease is serious, and your pet will probably need intravenous fluids to help flush the blood and keep her healthy. In addition, she will probably be given a special diet, along with medications, to help the kidneys work properly again.

Answer 2

Cat Eating Litter

Answer 3

1

Answer 4

What???!!! Cats should not be eating their litter!!! If you notice this, you need to make the cat stop! Kittens on the other hand are just like babies. Babies are always putting things in their mouths that they're not supposed to! That's why they have to be supervised and have dangerous objects kept out of reach. If you're talking about an adult cat doing this...I would seriously consider changing the litter to one that is non-toxic and has no added odors or chemicals. Try a pine litter. That way at least the cat won't get sick.

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Why Do Cats eat there own cat litter ?.?

Answer 6

My cat has just started to do this whether it is the clumping or silicon litter her tray is kept clean and always kept clean she only does it when we have changed the litter which we do twice a week. I have never heard of a cat doing this and I have had cats all my life. After googling it and seing the possible causes I am taking her to the vets asap

Answer 7

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Does your cat eat the litter with poop on it? Animals often eat their own feces, which is not really bad for them, but it is gross. You can buy stuff called Deter to put in her food to keep her from wanting to eat poop. If she is just eating the litter I would try changing the litter. If it continues she may have some intestinal or stomach problems that need to be addressed. Get her some cat grass. It helps with digestion.

Answer 8

I have never seen a cat do that either, and I have 4 cats. I have one that likes to play in the litter box, but hopefully she will outgrow that. Now a cat with a urinary tract infection or anemia will lay in the box sometimes and eat the litter so sayeth these cat sites -

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24815

http://www.fleascontrol.com/cat-eating-litter.htm

Answer 9

I have never seen a cat eat it's own cat litter. That's kind of wrong.

Answer 10

cats eat cat litter

Answer 11

Something is wrong ? I have had cats for many many years and never has one eaten litter ? Call your vet. Maybe something is missing from it's diet ?