Pica

Pica is the repeated chewing, sucking or swallowing of items that are not food. Cats may go for wool and cotton, rubber bands, plastic bags, cardboard, houseplants, hair ties or litter. A form called wool sucking is seen in some Siamese, Burmese and other Oriental-type cats, often starting in the first couple of years.

There is no single cause. Boredom, stress, a lack of stimulation or early weaning may play a part, and so can medical conditions such as dental pain, anaemia, bowel disease or diet problems. That is why a vet check comes first.

The danger is what the cat swallows. String, thread, ribbon and tinsel can cause a linear foreign body, where one end snags and the gut bunches up on it. Other items can block the bowel. Repeated vomiting, loss of appetite, a painful belly, lethargy or straining to pass stool after a cat has chewed something is an emergency, so call a vet at once. Store sewing supplies, cords and bags out of reach, offer safe chew toys, cat grass and plenty of play, see enrichment, and ask your vet for more help.