Cat needs fiber?

Question

Poppy loves to eat string. Yarn, spaghetti straps, drawstring pants, you name it. It just occurred to me - could this be a sign of a fiber deficiency? Her stool has always been on the loose side, so I'm investigating fiber supplements. She doesn't eat any other fibers, just string.

Some additional details: She's 2 years old and weighs 25 pounds (I know, I know, bad Mommy). Her stool has been checked and is clear. She's probably a Maine Coone or a Norwegian Forest Cat. I got her at 3 mos., and her stool was always like this. I used to feed dry Purina, but have switched her over to moist. I'm giving her the better brands (after careful reading of the ingredients), although she's picky and only seems to like Natural Balance Venison or Turkey. I was hoping the diet change would make this better. But now it's just dark and loose instead of light brown and loose (sigh). I'm giving her about 6 oz per day.

Don't worry about ol' Poppy. As soon as I cottoned on to her string fetish, I started making sure that anything remotely appealing to her is kept out of reach. She hasn't found a scrap to eat since she was about 6 months old, and she's 2 now. But I know she still lusts in her heart. I can see it in her eyes.

Answer 1

I don't know about the "pica" whether that is emotional or a seeking of dietary deficiencies. I think the food choice is good. NB has an excellent line.

You can get psyllium husk from a health food store for fiber. It comes in the supplement I use for my raw meat mixture so I can't tell you how much to use. Start with 1/4 tsp per serving and see what happens. That might do it or you could move to trying 1/2 tsp. The psyllium is dietarially inert and has no nutritional value.

Answer 2

First off, I have to say how it amazes me how careless people can be with their pets!! You should know that string can be deadly to your cat. So far, your cat's been lucky. But what are you gonna do when a piece of string wraps itself around your kitty's intestine and kills it? Or chokes on it? You can not let any string lie around your house!!! Now, to answer your question: Yes, cats need fiber. Pumpkin pie filling is an excellent source of fiber for your cat. I let mine eat it as much as he wants just once a day. That's what my vet recommends.

Answer 3

loose stools are sometimes indicators of disagreement of food

dry food should help with that so not sure what is going on

if the test show okay then should not be too concerned but the low weight needs to be tended to

cats can be very finicky eaters so will be trial and error on that one

just love and care for - enjoy your time with this special friend

Answer 4

I think that's just a trait of all cats. Mine ate the tie string of my pajama top. I found it later, it managed to make its way through my cat out into the litter box.

I've never heard of a cat needing fiber. All that they need is in their cat food.

Answer 5

Cats are generally not very needy of fiber, as they are mainly carnivorous. Your cat is possibly just greedy and curious. However, when they need fiber, they eat grass. There are some grass seeds at the pet stores you can plant and they eat them if they need them.

Answer 6

i have a big maine coon cat . they sell this grass seed stuff at the pet stores you put it in the window and let it grow . it wont hurt them at all . if you cant find the stuff then just go out find some tender grass put it in a shallow box let him go at it mine love his . he wont touch catnip but my sisters cats will. lots of people think when they see a dog or cat eat grass that they are sick . well my vet said well youre right they are sick . dont you feel sick if you cant poo?

Answer 7

cats don't really need fiber in their diet check with the vet for supplements and see what he says about fiber
thank you