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Why Is My Cat Consuming Cat Litter? 10 Vet-Reviewed Causes

Why Is My Cat Consuming Cat Litter? 10 Vet-Reviewed Causes

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Cats are able to doing many factors that go away us feeling bewildered and scratching our heads. It’s usually troublesome to search out out if one issue that’s unusual to us is actually frequent for cats.

In relation to consuming cat litter, we’re able to safely say that this isn’t frequent habits no matter how fairly rather a lot your cat tries to make it appear frequent. Consuming cat litter is commonly related to an underlying successfully being drawback that requires medical consideration. Listed under are just a few doable the reason why your cat could also be consuming cat litter and what you’ll do to assist them cease this habits.

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The ten Causes That Cats Eat Cat Litter

1. Pica

Pica refers to a state of affairs the place cats will chew or eat inedible offers and objects. Cats with pica are acknowledged to eat objects like cardboard, vegetation, soil, and picket. They might furthermore develop a habits of consuming cat litter.

Pica might be attributable to quite a lot of elements, it might be seen as an indication of an underlying medical state of affairs or it might be a behavioral drawback. Some medical circumstances which have been linked to pica embody endocrine sicknesses, gastrointestinal sicknesses, and parasitic infections.

cat sniffing cat litter
Picture Credit score rating score: Lightspruch, Shutterstock

2. Dietary Deficiency

Normally, cats can begin to eat cat litter and completely totally different offers on account of a nutrient deficiency. They do that in an attempt to compensate for any important dietary nutritional vitamins that they lack of their on each day foundation meals routine. Attributable to this reality, it’s necessary to hunt suggestion out of your vet and guarantee your cat is consuming high-quality cat meals and consuming related parts. Making healthful modifications to their meals routine would possibly put an finish to your cat’s litter-eating habits.

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3. Anemia

Anemia might be associated to nutrient deficiencies, significantly iron deficiency, so some anemic cats would possibly begin to eat cat litter. Riboflavin, vitamin B12, and niacin deficiencies could even set off anemia.

Fully totally different indicators of anemia embody low vitality, little stamina, pale gums, and lethargy. After a cat has been restored to successfully being and any nutrient deficiency has been addressed, the cat litter-eating habits normally goes away.

tabby cat sniffing the litter box
Picture Credit score rating score: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock

4. Curiosity

Cats are curious animals, so they could merely be involved in having enjoyable with with and tasting cat litter. Cat litter would possibly really actually really feel fulfilling or have a novel texture that cats should sort. Normally of curiosity, your cat will normally sort cat litter just some occasions ahead of they alter into disinterested. So, in case your cat continues to eat cat litter on quite a lot of events, it’s protected to say that it’s not due to they’re excited by it.


5. Model

Normally, cats can revenue from the fashion of their cat litter and develop a liking for it. This normally occurs when their cat litter is made with pure offers like grass, wheat, or corn husks.

In case your cat likes the flavour of their cat litter, it is doable you may attempt switching to a definite cat litter that’s made with a novel provides. Likelihood is you may as successfully attempt offering them with cat grass as a protected different.

cat sniffing litter in the box
Picture Credit score rating score: Duet PandG, Shutterstock

6. Coprophagia

Coprophagia refers to a state of affairs that causes cats to eat their very private feces. Cats with coprophagia would possibly look like they’re consuming cat litter, nonetheless they’re really consuming their very private poop.

Coprophagia is commonly an indication of 1 totally different underlying successfully being state of affairs, resembling malnutrition, colitis, or dementia. Attributable to this reality, it’s necessary to get your cat your veterinarian throughout the event that they begin to eat their very private poop.


7. Boredom

Cats who really actually really feel bored or wired would possibly resort to consuming cat litter. Consuming litter could also be a technique for bored cats to basically actually really feel stimulated, or it might very effectively be a habits that cats develop as quickly as they’re feeling wired or anxious.

Guaranteeing your cat will get sufficient follow and playtime will help alleviate boredom. Offering mentally stimulating actions like address dispenser toys could even stop boredom. Assuaging boredom might set off your cat’s litter consuming habits to go away by itself.

cat climbs to the litter box
Picture Credit score rating score: Oleg Opryshko, Shutterstock

8. Hyperthyroidism

Normally, cats with hyperthyroidism would possibly begin to eat cat litter. The acute ranges of thyroid hormone can improve a cat’s urge for meals and metabolism, which may make them consuming inedible objects like cat litter.

Hyperthyroidism is the most common endocrine illness in cats, and it’s most prevalent in older cats. Fully totally different indicators of hyperthyroidism are weight low cost, consuming higher than common, poor physique state of affairs, and an enlarged thyroid gland.


9. Ideas Tumors

Ideas tumors are a peculiar type of most cancers and an unusual motive for a cat consuming litter. Nonetheless, ideas tumors can have an effect on a cat’s habits relying on their location and it’s doable for them to extend starvation.

Older cats who’re over 10 years earlier have a larger threat of rising a ideas tumor.

cat using the litter box
Picture Credit score rating score: Danielle Masucci, Shutterstock

10. Intestinal Parasites

It’s not completely clear what the hyperlink between intestinal parasites and pica is, nonetheless some cats with intestinal parasites resembling worms may additionally develop pica. Cats would possibly develop to be constantly hungry, which may set off them to begin consuming inedible objects.

Treatment will fluctuate since there are quite a few types of intestinal parasites. As shortly as your cat is free from an intestinal parasite infestation, their pica furthermore normally goes away.

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Is It Protected for Cats to Eat Cat Litter?

It’s not protected for cats to eat cat litter, so it’s necessary to go searching atmosphere pleasant selections to forestall them from consuming it. Some cat litter isn’t protected for consumption and should set off intestinal blockages. Clumping clay litter and silica litter are each types of cat litter which might be notably unsafe for consumption. It’s normally okay if a small quantity will get in your cat’s mouth, nonetheless consuming large parts will set off factors contained in the gastrointestinal system.

Consuming cat litter might be unsanitary. Ingesting parasites and micro organism from soiled cat litter can result in gastrointestinal factors.

cat sitting next to the litter box
Picture Credit score rating score: Oleg Opryshko, Shutterstock

Simple methods to Stop Cats from Consuming Cat Litter

Step one to stopping your cat from consuming cat litter is to take your cat to your veterinarian. Since consuming cat litter is commonly related to a medical drawback, it’s necessary to get your cat in for a bodily examination. Your veterinarian could run diagnostic exams to go searching the rationale behind your cat’s litter-eating habits. In case your veterinarian finds a prognosis, they’ll have the ability to present a remedy plan to assist your cat return to good successfully being. In quite a few instances, cats will cease consuming cat litter as shortly as they’ve gotten bigger.

In case your cat continues to eat cat litter, attempt switching to a novel model or type of cat litter. This would possibly make the cat litter rather a lot a lot much less palatable to your cat and discourage them from consuming it. Be certain that to furthermore play collectively alongside together with your cat recurrently and distract them with one totally different prepare while you happen to search out them going to their litter self-discipline to eat cat litter.

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Conclusion

Cats can begin to eat cat litter for quite a lot of causes, nonetheless this habits is commonly tied to a successfully being drawback. Attributable to this reality, it’s greatest to get your cat to your veterinarian as shortly as doable while you happen to search out that they’re beginning to eat cat litter. Your veterinarian will make it simpler to know what’s inflicting this habits and the way in which one can stop it from occurring.

Together with getting your cat medical assist, it’s necessary to make sure they’re residing a healthful life-style that consists of a nutritious meals routine, adequate parts of follow, and mentally stimulating actions. Prioritizing your cat’s wellness can stop them from consuming cat litter and rising completely totally different unsafe or unhealthy habits.


Featured Picture Credit score rating score: Oleg Opryshko, Shutterstock

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10 comments
CatWhisperer88

It’s good to have an overview of potential health problems linked with cats eating litter. The suggestion to consult with a vet for any concerning behaviors is definitely sound advice that all cat owners should follow.

MeowMaster5000

This article raises awareness about a lesser-known issue in feline health. The connection between mental stimulation, boredom, and litter consumption is crucial for pet owners to understand in order to prevent such behaviors.

SunnySide

The article provides a thorough overview of why cats might eat cat litter, highlighting the potential health issues involved. It’s crucial for cat owners to monitor their pets and consult with a veterinarian if they notice unusual behaviors.

CuriousOtter

I appreciate how the article emphasizes the importance of addressing underlying health problems in cats that eat litter. Keeping an eye on their diet and providing stimulation can make a significant difference in their behavior.

FelineExplorer

The information on pica and its possible causes is particularly enlightening. It’s essential for cat owners to recognize signs of dietary deficiencies or boredom that could lead to such behavior, ensuring a happy and healthy pet.

BlueSky99

It’s concerning to learn about the possible medical conditions linked to cats eating litter. The preventive measures suggested are quite helpful, and I believe regular vet check-ups are essential for keeping our pets healthy.

WhimsicalPaws

I appreciate the thorough explanation of various reasons cats might eat litter. It’s interesting to see how behavioral and medical factors intertwine, and it emphasizes the importance of consulting a veterinarian for our furry friends.

CuriousCat123

This article provides valuable insights into why cats may exhibit the unusual behavior of eating cat litter. Understanding the potential underlying health issues can help owners take appropriate actions to ensure their pets remain healthy.

Gizmo123

I found the information about pica and its causes particularly interesting. It makes sense that dietary deficiencies could lead to such behavior. I appreciate the suggestions for managing these issues and ensuring the cat’s well-being.

WhiskersNinja

This article sheds light on a behavior many cat owners may overlook. Understanding that curiosity can play a role in this habit is important, but it’s still alarming to think about potential health risks associated with it.

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