7 Reasons Why Your Cat Eats Paper, and How to Stop It
Some cats have eating and chewing paper. Cats have been known to sometimes behave strangely for a variety of reasons, which is why their owners wonder. Although eating paper is generally harmful to cats, there are some potential dangers.
Why do cats eat paper?
Cats are curious creatures that use their nose and mouth to explore the world by smelling, tasting, and chewing on interesting objects. They can smell and taste things that humans cannot detect. As strange as it sounds, paper and cardboard are attracting a lot of cats. Depending on the cat, this can include printer paper, bills, books, magazines, cardboard boxes, toilet paper and paper towels.
Cats may lick and chew paper to find or play with, then realize they enjoy the smell and taste. Some cats just chew on paper and cardboard, but others will actually swallow it.
Cats are carnivores that naturally enjoy hunting. It is possible that tearing paper and cardboard mimics the act of tearing up their prey.
Picas are forced to eat non-food items that offer no health benefits. This condition is seen in humans, cats, dogs and other animals. Eating black pepper causes a form of pica in cats and some possible causes reasons for it.
- Curiosity
- Depression
- Fun/Game (Cats often enjoy makeup)
- teeth in kittens
- stress or anxiety
- uncontrolled obsession disorder
- medical condition or malnutrition
Is it safe for cats to eat paper?
Paper-chewing cats usually only swallow small amounts. However, eating too much paper can cause health problems. Paper is made from cellulose fibers extracted from wood or similar material and may contain a variety of chemicals used in processing. Finished paper often contains ink and color. The chemicals in some papers can be toxic if taken in sufficient amounts. Fortunately, creating a poison would require a lot of paperwork.
The biggest risk associated with eating paper in cats is gastrointestinal obstruction. A small amount of paper can usually be digested in the stomach. However, large amounts of paper can absorb fluid and lump in the stomach or intestines. If large enough, piles of paper can block food from passing through the GI tract. The body shall attempt to eject or pass the paper. Your cat may vomit all or part of the paper. However, there is a risk of underwear getting stuck in the gastrointestinal tract, which can lead to blockages. This is a serious condition, so that requires immediate call your vet.
Possible early symptoms of GI blockage include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and drowsiness. Abdominal pain and/or bloating may occur. If you see these signs and suspect that your cat has eaten something unexplained, go to the nearest Open Veteran immediately. GI blockage can be detected by radiographs or ultrasound. If a foreign body is in the abdomen, it may be possible to remove it with an endoscopy. Bowel obstruction requires abdominal surgery.
Contact your veterinarian if you notice that your cat is eating large amounts of paper, other inappropriate foods, or if your cat is showing any signs of illness. Before you attempt to correct the behavior, it is important to rule out medical or nutritional causes for pica.
How to stop your cat from eating paper
The best way to prevent your cat from eating paper is to Keep books and magazines on shelves or drawers. Store important papers in drawers or plastic folders (unless your cat eats plastic). If your cat eats large amounts of cardboard, do not leave the cans outside.
Take steps to improve your cat's environment and reduce boredom. Spend some time with your cat. Keep cat toys and scratches around the house to keep your cat busy. Consider adding vertical spaces to the home, such as the cat cabin on the wall.
Training can help you stop your cat from eating paper. Some cats are stubborn and self-determined, but most cats actually respond well to clicker training, especially if they are motivated by food. Try teaching your cat actions with specific prompt words, then use the clicker to reinforce the necessary behavior. Once you've click-trained your cat, use a pre-trained cue word to get your cat's attention off the paper. When your cat is trying to eat something, it shouldn't. If your cat chases, click and then reward.
Comments
Post a Comment