My cat licks dirt does anybody know Whats up with That???

Question

She is a Burmese

Answer 1

Hi there...your cat may have a condition called PICA. This is more commonly seen in asian breed of cats. PICA is eating, licking, chewing of unusual non-edible objects/items.

More on PICA:
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 consider visiting the website for full details on how to treat PICA

Answer 2

This is a condition called Pica. Sometimes cats (and even people) will eat dirt or cat litter. Many times this is due to an iron-deficiency anemia. As you probably guessed, this is not healthy for your kitty. While it's not an emergency, your cat should be seen by a vet, and should probably have bloodwork done to check their RBC (red blood cell) count. Most vets can do this in the vet office for a reasonable price (my vet charges about $20 for this - it's called "checking the PCV" (packed cell volume). Please take your kitty in just to make sure he's OK. Even if he's healthy, it will at least give you piece of mind. Another suggestion would be to switch kitty litters. My cat had a litter-eating problem, so I switched to an all natural litter called "SwheatScoop". I figured if the cat was going to eat litter, he'd be better off eating one made of wheat! Good luck, and I hope your kitty stops his bad habit :)

Answer 3

yup, cat needs vitamins. Take her to the vet and see if she is deficient -probably via a blood test. The vet should be able to determine the best course of treatment.

Answer 4

the cat is after minerals, cats eat grass sometimes so they can bring up hairballs. the cat knows what it wants

Answer 5

UR CAT IS LACKING MINERALS AND IS GETTING IT FROM THE SOIL THATS WHY SHE IS DOING THIS. U NEED TO SUPPLEMENT HER FOOD WITH A GOOD QUALITY CAT FOOD AND SHE WILL CEASE DOING THIS.