Dealing with Cat Pica: Effective Solutions for a Mischi

Why is Pica such a tricky condition to deal with?

Cats exhibit a fascinating variety in their preferences for foreign objects. Some are drawn to plastics, while others gravitate towards fibers. You might find them chewing on rubber bands, strings, threaded needles, yarn, blankets, or even wires!

The exact reason behind this atypical eating behavior remains unclear, with no single standard answer to explain it.

Causes of Pica

Regarding fibrous items like sweaters, yarn, needles, threads, and blankets:

It could be due to the texture reminiscent of nursing, or perhaps a deficiency in fiber content in their diet, prompting them to seek out similar textures. It might also be a leftover hunting instinct—wild cats often pluck feathers off birds before eating them.

(These viewpoints are sourced from "Cat Family Medicine" by Lin Zhengyi)

Other causes compiled:

① Nutritional Deficiencies: When cats consume a lot of plants or plantbased materials, such as plant fiber cat litter, they might be lacking certain nutrients. Common cases suggest a deficiency in trace elements.

② Environmental Factors: The cat's living environment is often a major trigger for many abnormal behaviors. Pet owners should pay close attention and take these factors seriously.

Cats may become overly bored and resort to bizarre behaviors to seek environmental stimulation.

③ Health Issues: The body operates as a system, and when one part has a severe problem, it can trigger a series of chain reactions. Conditions like brain tumors, feline AIDS, leukemia, and neurological disorders can all lead to the brain sending out incorrect signals, resulting in peculiar behaviors.

④ Occasional Curiosity: Sometimes, it's just a case of curiosity leading to accidental ingestion. Prompt intervention is key.

What Should We Do?

Follow a principle: tackle the issue from a preventive standpoint.

① Observe the cat's habits (picarelated preferences)

② Pretreat items that the cat prefers. For example, wrap wires with plastic tubes and spray them with a scent they dislike (either for taste or texture). Alternatively, place ropelike items out of reach.

③ Feed trace elements: Although trace elements are small, they have powerful biological effects!

In Conclusion

While scolding a cat might scare it into submission, who will scold it when you're not home? It's essential to focus on both preventive measures and mental wellbeing. Encourage exercise, maintain a balanced diet, and reduce the cat's exposure to environmental stimuli.