[Written by a Veterinarian] Why Does Your Cat Eat Fabric and Plastic? Causes, Dangers, and Solutions for Pica

"My cat tore apart a plastic bag from the supermarket," "There's a hole in my favorite blanket"... Have you ever had such a frightening experience? The act of chewing and eating non-food items such as fabric, plastic, or string is not just mischief; it could be a behavioral problem called "pica."

In this article, a veterinarian will explain the dangers of pica, which can be life-threatening for cats, and the measures owners should take starting today.

Why do cats eat fabric and plastic? Four causes of "pica"

1. "Lack of affection/cuddling with the mother cat" due to early weaning

This is often seen in rescue cats separated from their mothers shortly after birth. They mistake soft fabrics (such as wool) like blankets or towels for their mother's teats, and while sucking, they chew them off and swallow them. The act of kneading and sucking on blankets, etc., due to early weaning is called wool sucking, and it is a behavior performed by early-weaned cats to gain a sense of security. However, if wool sucking escalates, the cat will start chewing off and swallowing blankets, etc. This state is no longer wool sucking but rather a state of pica.

2. "Stress" due to environmental changes or boredom

When cats experience strong stress or anxiety, such as lack of exercise, frequent absence of their owners, moving house, or the arrival of a new cat, they may resort to pica as a "displacement activity" (a behavior to distract themselves). Also, cats are hunters and have strong hunting instincts. If their hunting instincts are not satisfied due to lack of exercise, they may chew and swallow things they shouldn't.

3. The "sound and texture" of plastic stimulate hunting instincts

Some cats become obsessed with plastic bags from supermarkets, etc., because the rustling sound and the elasticity when chewed resemble the sensation of prey (bird feathers or mice). Also, string and ribbons are dangerous items that cats often play with, mistaking them for prey, and then swallow.

4. Gastrointestinal disease

Cat pica is said to be related to gastrointestinal diseases. In cases of iron deficiency anemia or mineral deficiency, cats may lick the floor or try to eat litter. Furthermore, it is said that cats with pica are more likely to eat foreign objects if they have chronic enteropathy (a disease causing chronic diarrhea and vomiting), inflammatory bowel disease, or parasitic infections.

Do not ignore it! Dangers and symptoms of "intestinal obstruction" that occur when a cat eats plastic or string

Life-threatening "intestinal obstruction" and the risk of abdominal surgery

A cat's tongue is rough, so once string or plastic enters its mouth, it's difficult for the cat to spit it out, and it will swallow it. If the swallowed object is large or long, it can get stuck in the stomach or intestines, causing "gastrointestinal obstruction (intestinal obstruction)." In the worst case, this can lead to necrosis of the digestive tract or peritonitis, resulting in death.

If swallowed recently, it may be possible to induce vomiting or remove it using an endoscope. However, if it has reached the small intestine or if the obstruction is severe and digestive tract damage is suspected, abdominal surgery will be necessary. Gastrointestinal obstruction often leads to a worsened overall condition, increasing the surgical risk. If the digestive tract is severely damaged and resection is required, the cost tends to be quite high.

Watch out if these symptoms appear! Signs you should not overlook

If there is evidence that plastic, fabric, or other inedible items have gone missing, and the following symptoms appear, it is an emergency:

• Repeated vomiting, or attempts to vomit with nothing coming out
• Complete loss of appetite, not drinking water
• Extreme aversion to having the abdomen touched, or crouching

The situation will not improve by waiting, so please take your cat to the animal hospital immediately.

What if your cat swallows plastic or fabric? Absolutely forbidden actions to take at home

[WARNING] Absolutely DO NOT "pull" on string protruding from the mouth or anus!

If the end of a string or plastic is visible from the mouth or anus, absolutely do not pull it forcefully. It may be caught somewhere in the digestive tract, and pulling the string or plastic protruding from the body can cause the intestines to bunch up. A taut thread or similar object inside the intestines can cut through the intestinal wall from the inside, leading to life-threatening conditions such as gastrointestinal perforation or peritonitis.

It's okay to cut the exposed part short, but never pull it. Leave it as is and take your cat to the animal hospital immediately.

Do not force vomiting; go to the vet immediately

If a foreign object has been swallowed, methods for inducing vomiting are easily found online. However, if an amateur attempts these methods casually, it can worsen the situation, so absolutely do not try them.

Take information about when, what, and how much was eaten (along with any remaining fragments) and seek veterinary attention immediately.

Preventing pica! Measures and stress care for your beloved cat that you can start today

Physically "hiding and tidying up" is the best preventative measure.

Pica is a difficult behavior to completely cure. Cats who eat foreign objects will do so repeatedly. The basic principle is to "never leave fabric or plastic within your cat's reach."

Thoroughly review your living environment: use lidded trash cans, store clothes in closets, and remove interlocking floor mats. A common blind spot is polyurethane materials like sandals and hair ties. Owners may not realize their cat has swallowed them until surgery reveals the foreign object. If your cat ever plays with such items, be sure to hide them.

Satisfy their urges with "safe, chewy toys"

To satisfy their chewing urges, provide kick toys that are too large to swallow or cat toys made of safe materials, and play with your cat to satisfy their hunting instincts. There are also cat teasers with mice attached to strings, but these toys have a very high risk of accidental ingestion. While cats love these toys, absolutely do not let them play alone or leave them out unattended.

Improve comfort of "items touching their skin" like collars and beds to reduce stress

Even minor discomfort can become a source of stress, triggering pica.

If a collar is causing stress, it might be a good idea to switch to a lightweight, skin-friendly cotton collar. For stress caused by multi-cat households or changes in the living environment, create a relaxing environment for your cat, such as providing a hideaway bed where they can feel secure.

Summary: Address your cat's pica through "environment" rather than scolding

A cat's act of eating foreign objects like fabric or plastic comes from instinct or stress, and they never mean any harm. If you find them doing it, don't scold them loudly; calmly take the object away (scolding them will make them hide and eat). You, the owner, are the only one who can protect your cat's life. Make a conscious effort to thoroughly eliminate dangerous items and create an environment where your cat can live peacefully.

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