My cat eats plastic! Is this normal? Will it hurt him? Help?

Question

He just eats it and I know it's bad for him. HELP! I used to have theese little pom-pom things. He would find a way to pull on of and eat it! One day I found about an inch sticking out of his mouth. I thought it was just a little peice so, I pulled it! I pulled and pulled and it was a really long one! I got the whole thing out and it was coverd with this gross white sticky stuff. Why does he eat this. I don't understand. I dont want him to suffocate him self!

Answer 1

Hi there...some speculate that cats who lick, chew, eat 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. If ingested it may be fatal. As a general rule, anything which is questionable should be securely put away and out of reach.

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

It's critical to note to never pull on anything protruding from the anus and/or the mouth once swallowed because if the piece is long enough it can be twisted around the intestinal tract and when pulled will injure the cat and can be fatal: http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/pet_pourri/85248

Answer 2

some cats like the flavor and scent of plastic yet it somewhat is risky because it may reason a severe blockage so which you will could make beneficial all plastic bags are picked up and positioned away. Wrapping curling ribbon is yet another threat. I had a cat that could hunt it down and had to prohibit it from all wrapped presents as she had to be sure the vet three times for this and it wasn't affordable. Your cat has a quirk that is no longer uncomplicated to break so some distance as hiding or shifting nutrients. the choose arises to objective a distinctive shape of feeding bowl. chrome metallic is terrific.so some distance as licking your chin and biting this could properly be a mix of two issues. The cat licks the salt out of your dermis and likely is likewise providing you with little kissed. Your cat has a tendency to sleep on your issues because you're that distinctive individual in the domicile who he loves the main and it somewhat is basically yet in any different case of staying on the factor to you. now and returned those behavior are bothersome yet look at it in a favorable way. Your cat loves you and thinks which you're virtually the terrific element in the international.

Answer 3

It can definately be bad for him, especially pom-pom strings or anything like that. Aside from the suffocation hazard, they don't digest it and it can wrap out the digestive tract and cause blockages or kinks, etc. Keep anything plastic off the floor! My cats have a habit of trying to chew on plastic grocery bags, don't know what the attraction is but my female had to have plastic removed from her when she got ahold of a bag when I was at work.

Answer 4

It can be very dangerous for a cat or dog to swallow anything like your pom-poms, ribbons, string etc. These things can cause choking, bowel blockage. In my case it also caused a major house cleaning when a string did not come all the way out while I was at work.

Answer 5

We just did surgery on a cat who ate the plastic from the inside of cat toy. The plastic got stuck in the cat's intestines. The vet spent 45 minutes making little incisions to get all the plastic out. Once it gets stuck, the intestines begin to become "pleated" because nothng can move down. If you see your cat eating plastic, try to take it away. If you are sure he has eaten it, feed small meals to try to move the plastic through the intestines. Signs of blockage include vomiting and/or diarrhea.

Answer 6

Cats are just strange sometimes. I have one that does the same thing. I have to just make sure that I keep things such as plastic bags, string, tape, and boxes put away or in my spare bedroom.
If he does manage to get ahold of it, I always find it thrown up somewhere. You really have to be careful with strings and ribbons. The jist of it is is that my cat is just a goober and I had to accept it and you may have to do the same. :-)

Answer 7

One of my cats does the exact same thing with plastic bags like from the grocery store. The only thing I ever see wrong with it is that I dont want her to choke on the bag. Just make sure he does not get any stuck in his mouth and choke.

Answer 8

I have a cat that dose this very same thing!! It drives me crazy!! I have tryed everything from put bad tasting stuff on some and leaving it down to punishing him when I catch him!! Nothing has worked and my vet is out of ideas as well! Yes it can hurt them i have already paid 378.00 to remove a piece from his insides because it was blocking!! If you find anything please post I am look for ideas too!!!

Answer 9

Get some grass for the cat to eat, he is trying to make himself throw up (fur ball etc) so he will eat anything to make this happen.

If you get him clumps of grass he will eat it and throw up and wont eat the plastic. So no it's not normal but the function of removing fur balls ets is, so he is doing what is natural to him just without the natural grass he needs to do it.

Answer 10

They have a propensity to eat plastic, but don't do it. You need to catproof your house - don't leave bits and pieces lying around, such as plastic, ribbon, string or thread. It can really mess up their digestive system.