Cats & Plastic Bags?

Question

Why do cats like to chew on plastic bags? Unless my cat is just completly strange, the second I get home from the grocery store, no matter where in the house she is she'll come running into the kitchen and start trying to eat the plastic bags. Obviously I do not let her chew on them but does anyone know why she would do this?

Thanks for the answers. I only dont want her to eat it so she doesnt like choke on the plastic.

Answer 1

Hi Jennifer...some speculate that cats who lick plastic may be atracted to the rendered animal fat used to manufacture the bags, however after considerable research and speaking with my friend who is a veterinarian I've learned that this condition is called PICA. It isn't harmful so long as the object being licked, chewed or suckled on cannot be ingested, however some cats will suckle on wool, or lick wood, plastic or chew unusual objects.

Here's more on PICA by Univ Calif of Davis:
http://www.vmth.ucdavis.edu/home/beh/feline_behavior/pica.html

Pica: The Un-finicky Feline
Chewing or eating cords, fabric, houseplants, etc.

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 visit website for more information

Answer 2

Depends on the cat; I have 3 now, and my male kitty loves to chew plastic, tape, and metal.......but he only likes the "hard" plastic bags, not the thin grocery plastic. Yeah, he's something else, but I also have a friend whose cat chews plastic. I don't think it hurts them to chew the plastic, I just make sure that I don't leave the empty plastic bags around because they will put their heads through them and can get scared when they cannot back out of them. The same friend's cat got stuck in the handle of a plastic grocery bag and he got terrified because he was trying to run away from it and he thought it was chasing him cuz it was stuck on his neck and flying around in the air behind him..........he ended up tearing out one of his nails in the carpet when it got stuck because he was trying so hard to run away from the darn bag......... so that's the only harm that I can see them getting into with those plastic bags.......

Answer 3

My cat wont eat the plastic bags, she just likes to play with the bags at times. When we come home from grocery shopping, she sits in the chair in the kitchen like she's waiting for a plate to get served to her or something, it's so funny. Cats are hilarious.

Answer 4

You have my cat's soul mate. I have owned cats forever and this is the first cat I have that chews on plastic bags. I talked to the breeder and she was like it's no big deal. She recommended putting a bag inside a sock because the cat only liked the noise, but it didn't help. This cat LOVES to chew on plastic. I swear, she stalks the bags. We've had her for 6 years now and she hasn't died yet, so I wouldn't worry.

Answer 5

It could be the taste or just curiousity. One of the first things my older cat does when she sees something new is to bite it to see if it is edible. She does this even if it is obvious that it isn't ( like metal ). So maybe she experimented with the plastic, found that it tastes pretty good( nutrional value aside ), and now eats it like there is no tomorrow. My older cat also likes twist ties and tape ( not kidding ). She often chews on cardboard, but doesn't eat it.

Anyway, cats are interesting animals that like to stick with learned habits. Its going to be hard to break her from plastic bag munching.

Answer 6

The cat we used to have liked to stick his head in one of the loops and walk around like it was a cape. He'd fluff the bag out and pose like Superkitty or something. The one we have now likes to attack the bags to make noise. I've heard that plastic tastes sweet to cats, which may be why yours tries to eat the bags. Harmless fun, just keep an eye on your cat to make sure she doesn't get stuck!

Answer 7

My girl cat loves to be nosy and stick her head in to see what we brought home but never saw her start chewing on the bag, that is funny. Maybe it is just something she likes and since you don't let her she will just try everytime.
Or maybe you don't feed her enough plastic -ha ha!!

Answer 8

lol.My cats do this too.It's just a new toy for them! because the bag is so light,when they start to play with it,it moves around without barely being touched.So it's easier and more fun to play with! There's no harm in letting them play with it,just watch carefully as to they don't get their head inside the bag and they suffocate.

Answer 9

my cats don't try to eat them, but they like to play in them. I'm terrified they're going to get sufficated. Their favorite was an Old Navy bad, which isn't one of those flimsy plastic bags. They would fight over it and take turns laying in it.

Answer 10

i put my cats treats in a plastic bag put it on the counter and came home later and the bag was empty with a lot of holes in it...
its a mystery..........
:/