whats wrong with my cat?

Question

My cat is constantly licking plastic bags, I check,and there is nothing sticky or anything like that on the bags at all. Why is she doing this then?

Answer 1

Hi Annie...some individuals speculate that cats are naturally drawn to plastic bags because they either make the crinkly sound or it's from the animal fats used when manufacturing the bags. Medically scientists have determined that cats who chew, suck, lick non-edible items suffer from a condition called PICA. This is common among kittens who were weaned early and seen in many Asian breed of cats as well. Here's an article about PICA by University of California Davis on what is PICA and how to treat it: 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 PICA is treated.

Answer 2

Plastic grocery bags are often treated (in the production process) to avoid "sticking together" when going through the cutting and sealing machines. Apparently, whatever they are treated with is appealing to your cat. It's probably some sort of chemical, so I would probably try to keep the bags away from him.

Answer 3

From "Feline Behaviors":

"LICKING OR CHEWING PHOTOGRAPHS/PLASTIC BAGS"

"This is a difficult behavior to explain, and some cats are more prone to it than others. Most feline behaviorists have come to believe that some cats find a slight odor to the plastic and/or film surfaces simply irresistible, and also that the coolness and texture of the plastic and/or film must feel and taste good on the cat's tongue. It may also be another form of trying to 'nurse' - sort of a feline 'oral compulsive' behavior."
http://www.hdw-inc.com/behaviorswhy.htm

Answer 4

i guess your cat likes plastice bags!

Answer 5

i guess he likes the bags alot.

Answer 6

I dont know but one of my cats does it too.

Answer 7

She has a death with and wants do go by asphyxiation.

Answer 8

maybe theres something wrong with its tongue ?