![]() ![]() Your cat didn’t become a freaky eater overnight, so don’t give up if you don’t see results right away. If your cat’s feline pica is behavioral in origin, it will take time to get her out of the habit of chewing nonfood items. A short course of anti-anxiety medication can jump-start the process, but that’s best left to the discretion of your vet or the behaviorist you choose to work with. Check the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists and International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants websites to find one in your area. Be sure to put Venetian-blind cords safely out of your cat’s reach, too.Ī cat behaviorist might be able to work with you and your cat. If there are places where you can’t hide wires, a nontoxic deterrent spray such as bitter apple might make exposed cords taste gross enough to stop your cat from chewing. Keep your cell phone charger, headphones, USB cords, and the like in a plastic storage container with a tight-closing lid. Use cord guards to keep electrical wires away from your cat’s teeth. When you’re done, put the teaser toy away where your cat can’t reach it. Teaser toys are great for exercise and mental stimulation, and a tired cat is a nondestructive cat. When you’re home, give him lots of interactive play time. Give him puzzle toys including things such as rolling treat balls to keep him busy while you’re away at work. You can ease a cat’s boredom by providing environmental enrichment. Begin by addressing the cause of the stress (do a web search for "stressed cat" and you’ll find lots of advice on how to do that) and spending time with your cat to help her adapt.įeline pica is also pretty common in bored or lonely cats. If there has been a change in your life recently - moving to a different house, a new schedule, new roommate, outdoor construction - your cat might be acting out because of anxiety. The prevalence and cooccurrence of pica towards different target materials were investigated using prospective data from three questionnaires completed by owners participating in a longitudinal study of UK pet cats. Pica arises from the Latin word for the magpie -picave. In a simpler term pica is the eating of abnormal substances. What is Pica Syndrome in Cats Pica syndrome is a behavioral condition that incites cats to eat non-edible substances such as paper, fabrics, plastics, etc. For example, a person having pica may eat chalk, sand, ice, paper etc. Highly stressed or anxious cats might use chewing behavior as a self-soothing technique. This article would help you answer these questions. Your vet might also be able to give you some advice on how to manage the behavior. When you have an anxious cat in your home, things can be turned upside down. Make sure your cat isn’t eating non-food items in an effort to get nutrients she needs or because an illness is triggering the disorder. For all of us eco-friendly cat parents out there, it’s relieving to know that there are natural remedies for calming cats whenever they get stressed out. Any behavior issues should be addressed with your veterinarian, because behavior changes can indicate a health problem. ![]()
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