my 8 year old female cat has a tendency to nibble on plastic shopping bags does anyone know a reason for this?

Question

she has done this ever since she was a small kitten and it does not seem to cause her any harm,i just wonder if it is a common thing for cats to do as i have 3 other cats and i have never seen any of them ever do this

Answer 1

I actually know the answer to this one. Plastic bags are made with corn starch and patroleum and they are what entices cats to lick plastic bags.

Its so annoying though isn't it? The sound of it gives makes me shudder...

Answer 2

OMG! My cat, Daisy is known as "the one with the plastic bag fetish" between me and my hubby. As soon as a placcy bag is brought into the house, Daisy just can't leave it alone. She doesn't nibble it so much as sniff it cosely, moving her head in small circles around and around. If we left her to it, she would be there for hours.

It's not like she enjoys the noise because she makes very little crinkling sounds with the bag but once she starts it's like she goes into a trance and she is so addicted to whatever it is about the bags that she can't stop! Weird!

I did have one cat though who was really REALLY nosey and one time whilst I was out of the house managed to get himself stuck through the handle of a carrier bag. He had quite a fat tummy compared to the size of his head so he was well and truly stuck! I don't know how long he had been like that but when we came home, he was totally freaked out coz no matter how fast he ran, he just couldn't get away from this 'thing' that was chasing him! We managed to catch him and cut him free but after this incident, one sight of a placcy bag and he was gone!

Let's face it, cats are just plain weird!!

Answer 3

Hi there...I also have a cat that likes to nibble on plastic bags since he was a kitten. Some speculate it that because the bags are manufactured with rendered animal fat this is why some cats are drawn to them. However, I discovered that this behaviour is called PICA.

Here's a website about this condition:
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 further details

Answer 4

Don't know of the reason, but our cat nibbles through the handles on plasic bags if they are lying about, does nothing else to them, just nibbles through the handles, will even pull them out of the storage area if he can so he can get at more.

Answer 5

As a cat owner you should know cats can have their own quirks. I had a cat that liked to chase ice. When you hit the refrigerator ice maker he came running. And if you slid it across the floor he loved to cahse it... Didn't eat it or anything, just bat it around and played with it. He also liked certains stuffed animals and would steal them from mt kids room, drag them around the house. Cats have as much personality as humans... Each individually unique.

Answer 6

I have the same problem.I believe they are attracted to the noise the plastic makes.

Answer 7

Maybe she thinks that these bags contains something important.

Answer 8

my cat did that, my friend's cat did that, don't worry.