I put double sided tape on my counter top to discourage my 1 year old tabby from jumping up on the counter but he seemed to like it. He ate it. Of course I have to hide all my tape now since he likes to go tape-hunting.....is that normal or has anyone else experienced this?
I've also caught him trying to eat cardboard pieces and sometimes string.
2007-11-08 03:57:21 · 9 answers · asked by Kris W 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
A cat's natural hunting behaviour is to stalk, pounce, tear off feathers and skin, and eat. Not only do skin and feathers pass through the cat's stomach, but the cat has an instinct to do the tearing and plucking before swallowing. Some pet cats get compulsive about this part of the predatory sequence - tearing off feathers and skin. Since ordinary cat food gives no chance of tearing and ripping, the cat looks for this somewhere else. They will tear and rip and then eat -- wool, cotton, paper, cardboard, wicker baskets, electric cables. Some cats go out and steal soft toys, bring them home and tear them - imitating the whole hunting sequence with teddy-bear prey! Obviously this habit can be dangerous as they risk an intestinal blockage.
The web article below has lots of information on this subject and suggestions on how to break the habit.
http://www.celiahaddon.co.uk/pet%20problems/cats/frameset.html
Try something else that feels uncomfortable underfoot to discourage him from getting on the counter. They don't generally like the feel of tin foil, or those rubber bath mats with spiky bristles.
2007-11-08 05:57:16 · answer #1 · answered by Michele the Louis Wain cat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely keep tape and strings away from your cat. It could be the smell of the tape that he likes. BTW, I have learned to give up the counters and just wipe them down before using them. I have tried everything to keep the cats off, and nothing works. Even one of those shocker mats failed.
I actually save my shipping boxes because my one cat likes to tear the boxes apart with his teeth. He doesn't eat them though. Just likes to rip the pieces off and throw the pieces onto my clean floor. He has always been a chewer since he was a kitten, and I find leaving a nice box is fun for the cat to play with, and it keeps him from chewing wires (have found a few with teeth marks when there isn't a box).
2007-11-08 04:04:14 · answer #2 · answered by Crystal 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I hvae two cats who attack tape and will pull it off the packages. I think it hs something to do with the smell, as a cat's interest in something is tied to the smell. We've also put away all tape, plastics and anythign with a high smell which would attract them.
Oddly, we have one cat who couldn't care less for tape. Go figure.
I've used a land mine system for the cats which works well to train them off of some pieces of furniture. When they are not in use, I place mouse traps (UPSIDE DOWN) on the counter and then cover the traps with squares of aluminum foil. When the cat disturbs the foil, it sets off the trap which instead of hurting them (UPSIDE DOWN, REMEMBER? ) actually scares them. After a few times, they tend to stay away from that area.
2007-11-08 04:05:28 · answer #3 · answered by Marvinator 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
One of mine likes to eat masking tape. I caught her trying to steal it off of a painting I was working on. She was also eating the scraps. Now I have to discard used tape quickly into the trash.
My male cat likes to shred cardboard. He reminds me of a gerbil or hamster. He shreds it and spits it onto the floor. It makes a mess but I would rather him do that then chew on something dangerous. He also will try to chew cell phones or remote controls; but only if you are holding them.
2007-11-08 04:49:52 · answer #4 · answered by bronzeartist00 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh dear.
I have to watch one of my cats for eating cardboard and tape too. You'll have to make sure that those are where he can't get at them.
And that goes double for string. One of my mother's kitties got a hold of some once, and had to have surgery to get it out before it could tangle her little insides.
Good luck.
2007-11-08 04:02:40 · answer #5 · answered by Tigger 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yeah some cats like to eat odd things its normal in that sense I have a cat who likes to eat anything really. Just make sure to put things like strings up because it if they eat enough they it can wrap around their intestines and kill them it can also cause them to become pluged wich means they cant poop and it backs up then they half to spend some time at a hospital to be taken care of. Most likley he will grow out of this since he is a kitten still but be sure to watch on him eating things like strings.
2007-11-08 04:10:28 · answer #6 · answered by Amy D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like he is teething, the cat may have a sore tooth, that is why is eating tape and cardboard, cause it feels good to him
2007-11-08 04:05:59 · answer #7 · answered by kitty-cat 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My kitten also eats paper, toilet paper, string, hair, and anything else that he can find.
As for tape...he'll play with balls of it...but that's it so far.....
2007-11-08 04:02:05 · answer #8 · answered by Music 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
thats nothing...i know a cat that eats plastic and another that is addicted to bleach..
2007-11-08 05:29:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋