Is my cat normal?

Question

My cat is quite strange. He licks all kind of plastic, even bottles with potentially toxic things in it. He also pees into boxes if he likes to, he even did that when I was sitting in front of him. But I don't think he's too stupid to understand what he's doing, because he can for example open doors closed doors and the food bin.

Is my cat a psycho?

Answer 1

Hi there...your cat has a condition what is called PICA with regards to the plastic licking. Some people believe that cats are also drawn to the plastic because they are made out of rendered animal fat. Here's more about PICA buy Univ. of California Davis:
http://www.vmth.ucdavis.edu/home/beh/feline_behavior/pica.html

What is Pica?
Pica is the act of eating non-food items. In less serious cases, cats may chew or suck on objects, but not actually swallow them. Common targets include yarn or string, fabric, wool, phone or electric cords, and plants. Any object may be a potential target, however.

Why is Pica Dangerous?
Other than its destructive potential, pica can be extremely hazardous to your cat's health if non-food items are consumed. Ingested fabric, string, or other materials can lodge in your cat's stomach or intestine. The blockage prevents the passage of food and may cut off the blood supply to these organs. Both are life-threatening conditions. Cat's that chew on power cords may be electrocuted. Additionally, many common houseplants are toxic to cats; chewing or eating these plants can cause a wide range of symptoms from drooling to death. If your cat has a history of ingesting non-food items and becomes lethargic, vomits, or displays other concerning behavior, take them to your veterinarian immediately.

Why Does My Cat Eat/Chew on Non-food Items?
No one knows exactly why some cats exhibit pica behavior. Because pica has been associated with a variety of diseases including feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus, a veterinarian should examine any cat with pica. A genetic component is also suspected since wool or fabric sucking/chewing is more commonly found in Oriental breeds such as Siamese cats. Although it is normal for cats to eat small amounts of grass, consumption of large amounts of plant material may be an indication of a dietary deficiency or illness. Once medical causes are ruled out, behavioral reasons for pica can include boredom, attention-seeking, attractive odors, hunger, and learned behavior.

...please see website for more info
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In regards to the urinating he may have a urinary tract infection if he is "neutered" otherwise it could be possibly territorial marking/spraying with an un-neutered male.

Here's more on house soiling including urine spraying problems by Cornell Univ. College of Vet Medicine for Feline Health: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/Housesoiling.html

House soiling is the most common behavior problem reported by cat owners. It includes urination and/or defecation outside the litter box, as well as urine spraying.

Why do cats eliminate outside of the litter box?
One common misconception is that cats soil in inappropriate places for revenge. It is tempting to conclude, "He defecated on the living room carpet to punish me for leaving him for the weekend." But this kind of calculation requires sophisticated cognitive abilities that cats aren't believed to possess. Furthermore, this conclusion assumes that cats view their urine and feces as distasteful, when in fact they do not. It is only we humans who view it that way.

Medical Problems
So why do cats urinate or defecate on your bed or carpet? Medical problems are one possibility. Inflammation of the urinary tract may cause painful or frequent urination, inability to urinate, bloody urine, and crying during urination. An affected cat is likely to eliminate outside the litter box if he comes to associate the box with painful urination, or if he has an increased urgency to urinate. In addition, kidney, liver, and thyroid diseases often lead to increased drinking and urination. Inflammation of the colon or rectum, intestinal tract tumors, intestinal parasites, and other gastrointestinal conditions may cause painful defecation, increased frequency or urgency to defecate, and decreased control of defecation. Age-related diseases that interfere with a cat's mobility (for example, arthritis, nervous system disorders, or muscular diseases), or with his cognitive functions can also influence his ability to get to the litter box in time. In short, any medical condition that interferes with a cat's normal elimination behavior can lead to house soiling.

Litter Box Aversions
Behavioral problems, such as litter box aversions, inappropriate site preferences, or urine spraying can also lead to house soiling. An aversion implies that there is something about the litter box that your cat finds unsavory. It could be the box, the litter, the location of the box, or all three.

Answer 2

LOL! You don't know much about "pure-bread" cats first it is spelled breed or bred. Long furred monster?? normal egyptian cat? There are several breeds that are a natural breed and have long, medium and short fur. I haven't met a long furred monster cat coming from any breeder. Unless it is a bad breeder. The Maine Coon is a natural breed from the United States. Originated the state of Maine. Read up on the breed. And with a "Pure-Bread" cat you do know what to expect in health and temperament and of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder. With a "normal cat" you don't know its background what is in the family lines, what genetic defaults, health issues are. Now stating that kittens from the same litter can grow up differently just as any brother and sister they will not all be the same. Genetics plays a big part in that. I can't understand why people call others names just because they have different opinions. No two people think, look or act alike and all should be respected for their likes and opinions even if they are not what you believe in. R P Cat Maine Coons YEP One of those "Pure-Breads" LOL

Answer 3

First of all, Seattle explained the Pica condition quite extensively up there ^^

As for peeing outside of his litterbox, you need to teach him that it's not okay to do that. If he has any special places he likes to go to, clean them thoroughly, using some vinegar to replace the smell with something he doesn't like.

When he does it in front of you, you usually notice a difference with just sitting down and with trying to urinate (scratching the floor a little, and sort of crouching a little instead of just sitting down). If he's getting ready to pee, you need to shoo him away from doing that, and take him to the litterbox and stay with him till he finishes his business there.

If he's spraying, that's another thing completely, and means he's marking territory. You don't mention how old your cat is, but if he's over six months, then it's time for you to fix him. This usually gets a cat to stop spraying and to become a bit cuddlier (how much depends on the cat).

I wish you luck =)

Answer 4

One of my cats loves to lick plastic bags also. I read somewhere that they coat grocery bags with some sort of fish oil so they don't stick together as much. Maybe that is the draw?

But be careful if your kitty starts urinating in strange places, it may mean he is psycho, but it can also be a sign of infection which can make a kiitty very sick!

Answer 5

he does know where his litter pan is? maybe a reminder could help--when my cat squats over anything i pick him up and place him into the pan and say--remember this is your potty.

my kitty likes plastic, but doesn't eat it--

keep the harmful stuff away where he cannot get to it--let him lick when no harmful stuff around--try to get him to play with something else--divert his attention to the toy instead of the plastic item --remove the plastic to somewhere he cannot reach .

Answer 6

cats are so fun to watch. Your cat may be enjoying the texture of plastic. Mine lick plastic grocery bags. I rescue cats so I have plenty. My cats will play day in and day out in particular box, but---if the litter box is needing attention, they will urinate in it and on almost anything else they find laying around or out of place.

Answer 7

Hallo nightgirl...du wolltest dich an einem Programm machen, wegen der "ungarischen Methode" Leider kann ich dich aber nicht per Mail kontaktiren, da due deine E-Mail mnoch nciht bestätigt hast. Daher versuche ich es auf diesem Wege. Bitte teile mir deine EMai-Adresse mit, damit ich dir die Unterlagen zusenden kann...

MfG

Freddit

Answer 8

Psycho? No. My guess is he isn't fixed though. Male cats are extremely territorial and can do things we think are strange in order to "mark" their property.

Answer 9

I've yet to meet a normal cat. They're all psychos. That's why I love 'em.