Hey Pet Parents and Pet Lovers! Today’s post is simply about a concern I have for one of my cats.
I’m really starting to get nervous about Beau. Ever since we got the little tyke he has been eating/chewing objects he shouldn’t be interested in. Some materials include: plastic, rubber, elastic bands, tissue paper, our bed sheets, his toys, socks, and sometimes even our hair. At first we thought that this might be because we are underfeeding Beau. But we have been following the guidelines that are specified on the bag of Blue Buffalo that we feed.
We have tried feeding Beau more (knowing that the guidelines are merely suggestions and that feeding varies from cat to cat), but Beau just gains weight and the chewing continues.
I have scolded Beau each time he is caught chewing with a spray bottle. At first Beau didn’t respond to the spray bottle, but we added a stern “BEAU!” and that seems to be working. Now all I have to do is say his name and he’ll stop what he’s chewing and run away from the object. He also knows the objects he’s not supposed to chew. Especially tissue paper. That seems to be his favourite thing to eat. He inches closer, and closer and when I say his name he’ll stop and run away. It’s kinda like that game “What Time Is It Mister Wolf?”
Things we’ve tried: Playing with Beau for 5 minute intervals for a total of 30 minutes. Feeding Beau using a slim-cat ball and a food maze. Isolating Beau from all the materials he should not chew (except for our bed sheets which he sleeps on every night.) Those I catch him chewing ALL the time. It’s becoming extremely troublesome as he’s digested quite a fair bit, but thankfully it has all come out in his poop!!
Anyone else have issues like these? Any advice you can give me? Thank you!!
Vets who haven’t heard of pica? Seriously? Anyhoo, wish i had some advice, but I’d just be parroting what I saw on Jackson Galaxy’s TV show. I’m not a fan of spray bottle; a can with a few coins in it tossed away from cat is a good deterrent.
That’s a good idea. I’ve never thought of that!
Have you taken him to the vet? Pica is often caused by a vitamin deficiency.
Yeah,we took him to the 3 vets and two said they didn’t even know what Pica was and the third said she thinks it’s a behavior thing that he developed when he was a stray kitten. I’m currently looking for better vets (as I’m not fully happy with the ones I visit), but every test they have done with him has said that he is extremely healthy. So, it’s really, really odd! I will be trying different food within the next few weeks so hopefully that helps!! (Although I’m already feeding him pretty high grade food.)