why do cats try to eat brooms?

Question

my cat tries to chew on the straw end of my broom, so I have to hang it upside down.

Answer 1

It's a natural instinct for a cat to chew on and play with grass-like things. Your cat probably likes brooms because they look and feel like some sort of grass stalk. Maybe get a little pot of kitty grass (some of the big pet store chains carry it) so your cat has grass that is ok to chew up.

Answer 2

A natural broom is made from dried plant fibers like types of corn. Your cat may just like chewing it up. If he is ingesting it, he may be bored, stressed, hungry, in need of fiber or just enjoying the activity.

You can try offering him better alternatives like cat grass or any variety of grasses you can grow. He may like fresh catnip (grown in a hanging basket or somewhere he can't mangle it) or even finely shredded lettuce, an asparagus spear or a pea pod. Some cats like playing with a melon ball or a raw bean. Who knows what they are thinking.

If he is into ingesting things, I would keep him away from everything that isn't food. That would include cat toys that aren't interactive and fabrics like wool.

Answer 3

My youngest cat does this also. I think she just likes the texture, or maybe whatever I swept up with it. I keep my broom in the closet or upside down too.

Answer 4

Cats love to chew things. Keep yarn and string away at all times. They can swallow it and require surgery to remove it. They will eat plants and even silk and plastic plants are game for chewing. Get your cat some of those shiny, crinkley cat toy balls and let them chew on and chase those around.

Answer 5

Must like the taste of it.

Answer 6

Mine runs from it.