The Plastic Attraction: Why Cats Love This Material

Cats are known to be attracted to plastic, with some cats compulsively chewing on and eating plastic bags, straws, milk jug rings, and other plastic objects. This behaviour can be caused by various factors, including boredom, stress, anxiety, underlying medical issues, or dietary deficiencies. Some cats may also be attracted to the smell or texture of plastic, which can contain animal by-products or chemicals that mimic pheromones. Ingesting plastic can be dangerous for cats, leading to intestinal blockages, choking hazards, and injuries to the mouth. It is important for cat owners to keep plastic out of their cat's reach and provide appropriate toys and mental stimulation to discourage this behaviour.

The sensory experience of plastic

The crinkling sound of a plastic bag, the lingering scent of food, and the smooth texture under their paws make plastic an enticing sensory experience for cats. This combination of auditory, olfactory, and tactile stimulation can trigger a cat's hunting instincts, making plastic an irresistible object of play and exploration.

The sound of plastic rustling mimics the sound of prey moving through grass or leaves, stimulating their natural hunting behaviour. The texture of plastic also provides a unique sensory experience for cats, offering a bit of bendy resistance that feels like chewing on a mouse. Cats also enjoy licking plastic, perhaps due to the different textures it provides or the chemical scents it carries.

Additionally, the strong sense of smell in cats allows them to detect even trace amounts of food odours on plastic items. This scent attraction is particularly potent with plastics that have contained strongly aromatic foods like fish or meat. Even plastics that have been in contact with cleaning products or other household chemicals can carry scents that mimic pheromones or other attractive odours for cats.

Beyond the sensory experience, some cats may chew on plastic due to nutritional deficiencies or underlying health issues, such as pica, a condition that causes animals to eat non-food items. It is important to consult a veterinarian if you suspect any health issues or nutritional deficiencies to ensure your cat's well-being.

Nutritional deficiencies

Cats can experience nutritional deficiencies due to various factors, including an inadequate diet, underlying medical conditions, or age-related changes in nutritional requirements. For example, a calcium deficiency can lead to poor bone density, resulting in unexpected fractures. Similarly, a thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency can cause weight loss, vomiting, diarrhoea, and severe neurological issues, such as stumbling and swaying.

Additionally, deficiencies in vitamins A, D, and E can have significant impacts on a cat's health. A lack of vitamin A may lead to retarded growth, a decline in appetite, eye infections, poor muscle coordination, and brain damage. Vitamin D is essential for bone health, and a deficiency can cause osteoporosis and fractures. A vitamin E deficiency can lead to steatitis, a potentially fatal disorder characterised by inflammation of the body fat.

Mineral deficiencies can also affect cats' health. Copper deficiency, for instance, causes a dull and dry haircoat, patchy hair loss, and loss of normal hair pigment. Zinc deficiency can lead to hair loss, skin ulcers, and thickened, cracked skin, especially over joints and foot pads.

While nutritional deficiencies are not commonly seen in cats fed a good-quality commercial diet, they can occur with homemade diets or poor-quality commercial food. These diets may lack essential vitamins, minerals, proteins, and fats that are vital for a cat's health.

If you suspect your cat is attracted to plastic due to nutritional deficiencies or any other underlying health issues, it is important to consult your veterinarian for advice and to develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Health issues

Cats are attracted to plastic due to several reasons, including the crinkle of plastic, the smell of food that was contained in it, and the smooth surface. However, this attraction can lead to serious health issues.

Firstly, cats that eat plastic are exhibiting a dangerous behavioral urge called pica, which is the ingestion of non-food items. Pica can be caused by a variety of factors, including breed, poor diet, and certain medical conditions. Some cat breeds, such as Burmese and Siamese, are genetically predisposed to pica. A poor diet that does not provide all the necessary nutrients can also induce pica as cats may try to source essential nutrients from non-food items.

Additionally, several medical conditions can trigger pica in cats, including dental disease, anemia, hyperthyroidism, and brain tumors. It is important to monitor your cat for any signs of ill health, such as changes in appetite, urine, or feces, as well as alterations in behavior and sleeping patterns. If you suspect pica, it is recommended to seek advice from a veterinarian, who can rule out any underlying medical causes.

Furthermore, chewing on plastic can pose a choking or suffocation hazard for cats, as small pieces of plastic can get stuck in their throat or block their airways. Ingesting plastic can also lead to intestinal blockages, causing serious health issues such as lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea. In some cases, surgery may be required to correct the blockage.

To prevent these health issues, it is crucial to keep plastic items and bags out of your cat's reach. If separation from plastic is not possible, consider coating the items with a cat-safe bitter spray to deter chewing. Provide your cat with alternative safe chewing options, such as Nylabones, soft animal chews, or cat grass. Interactive toys, cat trees, and perches can also help distract your cat from chewing on plastic.

Boredom

Cats are naturally curious and playful creatures, and they require mental and physical stimulation to stay entertained and healthy. If they don't receive enough stimulation, they may turn to plastic bags and other non-food items to satisfy their curiosity and sensory needs. The crinkly sound of a plastic bag, for example, may trigger their hunting instincts by resembling the sound of a rodent moving through grass and leaves. The smooth, cool surface of plastic may also feel pleasurable on a cat's tongue.

Additionally, boredom can cause stress in cats, which can lead to compulsive behaviours such as plastic licking or chewing. This can be a mild version of a compulsive disorder known as "wool sucking," which is linked to pica. Pica is a disorder that causes animals to eat non-food items and can indicate a more serious illness, such as feline leukemia.

To prevent boredom in cats, it is essential to provide them with interactive and engaging activities, such as puzzle feeders, catnip toys, and scratch posts. Providing a window with a clear view of nature, such as birds and squirrels, can also help keep them entertained. Regular playtime with toys designed like fishing poles can simulate the movements of prey and satisfy their hunting instincts.

If you are unable to provide constant entertainment, consider getting your cat a playmate or a new pet sibling. This can help alleviate boredom and provide companionship, especially for cat breeds that are more prone to boredom, such as Siamese and Oriental Shorthairs.

In summary, boredom is a significant factor in why cats are attracted to plastic. By providing mental and physical stimulation through interactive toys, scratch posts, and playtime, cat parents can help reduce boredom-induced plastic licking and chewing, ensuring the health and well-being of their feline friends.

The smell of food on plastic

Cats have a highly developed sense of smell, far superior to humans, allowing them to detect even trace amounts of food odors on plastic items. This scent attraction can be particularly strong with plastics that have contained strongly aromatic foods like fish or meat products.

Cats can also be attracted to the chemical scents in certain types of plastic, which can mimic pheromones or other attractive odors. Biodegradable plastic, for example, is made from plant-sourced oils and may still contain remnants of these oils, which cats can detect and be attracted to.

Additionally, some cats may be driven to chew on plastic due to nutritional deficiencies or pica, a condition where animals crave and eat non-food items. Pica can be caused by a lack of nutrients in the diet or deeper health issues, and it is important to consult a veterinarian if this behavior is observed.

To prevent cats from chewing on plastic, it is advisable to keep plastic items out of their reach and provide alternative sources of sensory stimulation, such as toys and safe chewing spots.

Frequently asked questions