over the past few months my cat has developed the habit of chewing on plastic bags. she started doing it in secret (when we are out) about three to four months ago and then stopped for ages. yesterday she came up infront of me and started chewing on the bag i'd just brought in with me full of shopping.
she's an indoor cat, but has plenty of toys and attention, fresh water and food. i haven't tried cat grass yet and i thought this may be the prob. but then i heard my friends two outdoor cats (ten miles away) were doing the same thing!!!!
any ideas?
2007-08-29 13:27:36 · 22 answers · asked by hmmm........ 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
i started putting all plastic bags (once i'd put shopping away etc) in a cupboard high up when i first found she'd chewed on them. the other day i'd sat down for a quick rest when i got in looking at what i bought and there she was.....
2007-08-29 13:36:07 · update #1
keep the bags were you cat cant get them. It could easily lead to an intestinal blockage and death or surgery. you don't want this to happen while you are trying to figure out why she is doing it.
2007-08-29 13:31:13 · answer #1 · answered by gadfly 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I found on one website that many cats (and dogs) love to eat plastic bags because animal fat is sometimes used in its processing of the bag.
I dont really think there is a way to prevent it, other than just being aware there are no plastic bags in site. And maybe you could start asking for paper bags from the grocery store?
Other than that, just try to keep a habit of putting the plastic bags away right when you get home.
Good luck!
2007-08-29 20:41:24 · answer #2 · answered by Cookie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe they like the texture or something about the smell- some animals will chew something for the salt from sweaty hands. Maybe your cat likes your scent, that's on the bag. One of my cats can't get enough of warm shoes, that have just been kicked off- she will bury her head in them.
Whatever the reason is, eating plastic bags is not good for cats, so try to keep your bags put away out of reach.
If it's salt, try a salt lick- available in pet stores. The weather is hot- maybe they need extra.
2007-08-29 20:36:12 · answer #3 · answered by Hal H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is your cat chewing them or eating them ? I have 3 cats and one is very addicted to chewing plastic bags. I think he likes the noise it makes. The bags stay intact so he obviously is not swallowing anything. I would be concerned if your cat is actually eating the bags in which case I would remove them as soon as poss . If like mine, it only enjoys the chewing bit then I would not worry too much. Some cats have odd habits, just like humans.
2007-08-29 20:41:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats loove plastic. They love to chew on it and they love the sound plastic makes when they step on it. You can let her play with plastic as long as she is supervised. Throw out any ripped up plastic bags. Although the risk of her swallowing or suffocating is low it is still there if she is a kitten. Try giving her plastic toys as well. Kitties love chewing on straws.
2007-08-29 23:07:55 · answer #5 · answered by greyfluffykitty 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats are fascinated by plastic bags. They either like to crawl inside them, or like yours and mine, start chewing on them. The reason for this, I believe, is they like the sound it makes when the plastic is chewed. My cat does it too, but so far she has never swallowed the plastic. Your best bet is to keep all plastic bags away from her, so she doesn't accidentally ingest the plastic. Same goes for cellophane items and rubber bands.--anything that snaps or makes noises when chewed. Items like these that are accidentally swallowed could cause serious harm to the cat's digestive system.
2007-08-29 20:45:55 · answer #6 · answered by gldjns 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best way of breaking this habit is by using the same method that garden-growers use; every time she chews on a bag, wet her with a water bottle, she'll soon figure out that when she goes for the bags she gets wet and will eventually stop. Every now and then she'll go for the bag and all you have to do is show her a water bottle and she'll stop.
2007-08-29 20:48:51 · answer #7 · answered by TP 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Don't let your cat have access to plastic bags. This shouldn't be hard to do since you have an indoor cat.
Find something more tantalizing to your cat than plastic bags like catnip.
2007-08-29 20:32:47 · answer #8 · answered by ReefLobster 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some kitties just like plasticno matter what else they have to play with. Keep it out of reach forever. I had a friend who's cat needed surgery for eating plastic for years with out her knowing it. The cat never "passed" it. So you're lucky to know now what to look out for.
2007-08-29 20:34:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would be terrified of her inhaling a small piece of the plastic bag and chocking to death on it. Remove any and all plastic bags from your home and consult your vet. Cats are smart so be sure you get all them!
2007-08-29 20:35:20 · answer #10 · answered by malee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats love the crinkling sound that the bag makes. Try using paper bags.
2007-08-29 20:33:54 · answer #11 · answered by Colette B 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋