Chloe Zhang
Cats chewing on plastic and cardboard is a common phenomenon. While it is not always encouraged, there is typically nothing wrong with this behaviour. Cats may chew on plastic and cardboard for several reasons, including teething, boredom, stress, anxiety, or a compulsion to eat non-edible things (pica). Additionally, the crinkling sound of plastic bags may stimulate their predatory instincts, and biodegradable plastic may have a taste or smell that cats find appealing. Providing cats with alternative toys and entertainment can help deter them from chewing on plastic and cardboard.
Why cats chew on plastic and cardboard
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nutritional deficiency | Mineral deficiency, anemia, immunodeficiency concerns (e.g. feline leukemia or FIV) |
| Behavioral | Teething, dental pain, stress, boredom, aggression issues |
| Taste and texture | Plastic may smell and taste like food; cardboard provides a satisfying texture and noise |
| Instinctual | Cats may chew cardboard to simulate the act of hunting or as a marking habit |
| Health concerns | Plastic can cause gastrointestinal obstructions, injuries to teeth and gums, and choking hazards |
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What You'll Learn
Cats may chew plastic due to teething pain
Cats may chew on plastic due to teething pain. Kittens go through a period of teething, similar to human babies, and this can cause discomfort. During this time, kittens may be driven to chew on objects to soothe their gums and relieve teething pain. This behaviour can also be a normal part of their exploration and learning about their surroundings.
The drive to chew may be particularly strong during the teething period, as kittens can have up to 30 new teeth coming in. They may be drawn to small objects with interesting textures, such as plastic items, and continue seeking out similar textures once they've discovered them. Biodegradable plastic, for example, may have a residual taste or smell that some cats find appealing.
However, chewing on plastic can be dangerous for cats. Small plastic items pose a choking hazard, while sharp plastic edges can injure their gums, mouth, and teeth. Ingesting plastic can also lead to gastrointestinal obstructions and intestinal blockages, requiring veterinary intervention.
If you suspect your cat is chewing on plastic due to teething pain, it's important to keep hazardous objects out of their reach. Provide them with safe alternatives to chew on, such as teething toys designed for kittens, and ensure they have plenty of appropriate toys to play with. You can also try using bitter-tasting sprays on plastic items to discourage chewing.
Additionally, it's recommended to take your kitten for regular veterinary check-ups, especially during the teething period, to ensure their teeth and gums are healthy and to address any potential issues early on.
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Plastic chewing can be a sign of stress or boredom
Plastic chewing in cats can be a sign of stress or boredom. Cats may chew on plastic items due to various factors, including teething, dental pain, or stress and boredom.
Teething is a common reason for kittens to chew on plastic, as they seek relief from the discomfort of new teeth coming in. This drive to chew can be stronger during the teething period, and kittens may be attracted to the texture and sensory experience of plastic items.
Dental pain or discomfort in adult cats can also lead to plastic chewing. Chewing on plastic items may provide relief or a soothing sensation for their sore gums and teeth.
Stress and boredom are other factors that can contribute to plastic chewing in cats. Cats may develop pica, an eating disorder characterized by consuming items with no nutritional value, as a response to stress. Additionally, cats who are bored may turn to chewing on plastic items as a form of stimulation or play.
It is important to address plastic chewing in cats as it can pose potential dangers. Plastic items can cause choking hazards, gastrointestinal obstructions, and injuries to the teeth, gums, and digestive tract. Keeping plastic items out of reach and providing alternative chewing options, such as toys or treats, can help prevent plastic chewing and protect your cat's health.
If you notice persistent or excessive plastic chewing in your cat, it is recommended to consult with a veterinarian. They can help identify any underlying health issues, nutritional deficiencies, or behavioural concerns that may be contributing to this behaviour.
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Cats chew cardboard to soothe sore gums
Cats have a natural instinct to hunt, and the crinkling of plastic bags or the skittering of milk jug rings on the floor may stimulate this drive. Cats are biologically programmed to catch and eat prey, and chewing on plastic may be the last step in this predatory sequence.
However, chewing on plastic can be dangerous for cats. Plastic items that are small enough to fit completely inside a cat's mouth pose a choking hazard and can also injure their teeth and gums. Consuming plastic can cause gastrointestinal obstructions and, in some cases, may require surgery or endoscopy to remove the item.
Some cat owners have speculated that their cats chew on plastic to clean their teeth. Biodegradable plastic is made from plant-sourced oils, and there may be remnants of the taste or smell that cats find appealing. Cats may also be attracted to the taste of plastic, as it often contains animal by-products that smell like the meat-based foods they eat.
To prevent cats from chewing on plastic, it is essential to keep plastic items out of their reach. This includes properly disposing of items such as rubber bands, plastic lids, milk jug rings, and plastic bags. Providing cats with alternative items to chew on, such as silver vine sticks or kitty chew sticks, can also help redirect their chewing behavior away from plastic.
Additionally, chewing on cardboard may be related to a cat's marking habits. Cats have a unique way of claiming their territory by rubbing against objects and people. They may also bite or chew on items they want to mark as theirs, such as furniture or cardboard boxes. While it is not uncommon for cats to chew on cardboard, it is important to ensure they do not swallow any pieces, as adhesives or sharp edges can cause vomiting or intestinal blockages.
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Cardboard chewing can be territorial marking
Cats have a unique way of marking their territory by rubbing against objects and people. This behaviour is called "marking". Cats will often bite or chew on items they want to claim as theirs, such as furniture or paper towel tubes. Similarly, cats may chew on cardboard to mark their territory.
Cats are natural hunters with predatory instincts that involve investigating new objects in their environment by biting, clawing, and scratching at them. Scratching, chewing, or licking cardboard surfaces may be instinctual behaviour for cats that they do not outgrow as they mature from kittens to adults. The texture of cardboard may feel good against their teeth, and the sound of biting it may be satisfying.
Cats may also chew on cardboard to soothe sore gums caused by teething or adult teeth coming in. Kittens lose their baby teeth and grow a full set of adult teeth between 3.5 and 7 months of age. The drive to chew may be stronger during this time as they attempt to find relief from their new teeth.
Additionally, some cats may chew on cardboard due to underlying health issues. Pica, an eating disorder characterised by the consumption of non-food items, can be a sign of nutritional deficiency, anemia, or immunodeficiency concerns such as feline leukemia or FIV. It is important to consult a veterinarian if you are concerned about your cat's health or behaviour.
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Plastic may smell like food to cats
Cats have a strong sense of smell and are naturally curious, which drives them to explore their surroundings. They may chew on plastic because it smells like food to them. Biodegradable plastic, for example, is made from plant-sourced oils and may have remnants of a smell that cats find appealing.
Additionally, some plastic products, such as grocery bags, may smell like food to cats because they have been in contact with food items. For instance, a cat owner may have carried groceries home in a plastic bag, and the bag may have absorbed the smell of the food items, such as meat juices from a package of ground beef.
Cats are natural hunters with predatory instincts. The crinkling sound of plastic bags or the skittering of a milk jug ring on the floor may stimulate their predatory drive. The act of chewing on plastic may be the final step in their predatory sequence, which includes hunting, biting, and killing. Kittens, in particular, may chew on plastic to relieve teething discomfort as they lose their baby teeth and develop adult teeth.
However, it is important to prevent cats from chewing and ingesting plastic, as it can pose health hazards, including gastrointestinal obstructions and injuries to the teeth, gums, and intestines. If a cat consumes plastic, veterinary intervention may be necessary, including inducing vomiting or performing surgery or endoscopy to remove the plastic item.
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Frequently asked questions
Cats may chew on plastic due to various reasons, including teething, stress and anxiety, predatory instincts, or the taste and smell of the plastic. Ingesting plastic can be dangerous for cats and lead to health issues.
To prevent your cat from chewing on plastic, keep plastic items out of their reach and provide them with alternative toys and playtime to reduce boredom. You can also use bitter-tasting sprays on plastic items to discourage chewing.
Cats may chew on cardboard due to their predatory instincts, the satisfying noise and texture it provides, or to soothe sore gums during teething. Cardboard is generally safe for cats to chew on, but ensure they do not ingest any adhesive or sharp edges that could cause health issues.
