There are many reasons why cats develop a penchant for plastic, and these include medical, dietary and psychological reasons. For example: 1. Dietary and nutritional deficiencies However, just giving a cat one or two boring toys to chew on is not going to do it – you need to find toys that will challenge your cat and that your cat enjoys playing with.

Shopping bags may be particularly appealing if they have taken on some of the food odors when transporting our groceries—especially meat or fish. 3. Breed Pica can be the sole issue, but many diseases cause additional signs. For example, with dental problems, you may also notice that your cat has more drool, bad breath, or sore gums. If you are concerned that your cat is unwell, always seek advice from a veterinarian. Why Is Eating Plastic Bad for Cats? If you think your cat has eaten plastic and is displaying any of these symptoms, you should take her to the vet as soon as possible. Final words In terms of chewing and swallowing the plastic, even if it’s by accident – that can be dangerous, because it can lead to an obstruction or cause your cat to choke and/or suffocate. In the case of plastic bags, as well, there’s a risk of suffocation if a cat crawls in and runs out of air. So it’s best to keep those out of reach.

Other steps to take

In most cases, your cat will be fine as long as prompt advice is sought from your veterinarian. Your vet may even advise you to monitor your cat, particularly if they only ate a small amount of plastic or are not showing signs of ill health.

Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they get all their dietary requirements from eating meat, so cat food that contains high proportions of other ingredients is not advisable. At the same time, cats that are stressed or suffering from anxiety may also display similar behaviors, and this could be due to anything like children playing with them too much, a new baby arriving in the house or being bullied by another cat. While it can be amusing to see him playing with elastic bands, plastic sweet wrappers, or tinsel, don’t encourage it since your cat may accidentally swallow them. You should get your cat to play with appropriate cat-safe toys instead. Monitor these toys for any signs of wear and tear and replace them if they become broken.Remember how I said most sources online seemed to make the connection between chewing plastic and pica from the get go? Let’s start there. Some Cats Chew Plastic Because They Have Pica Conversely, if you don’t give them enough time and love, they will develop undesirable behaviors, which may include eating plastic, among others. All senses It doesn’t matter how meticulously clean you keep your home; cats have a way of finding the weirdest things on the ground to try and play with or eat, including plastic. As soon as you hear your cat starting to chew on plastic, try to get it away from them as soon as possible. Keeping your cat mentally stimulated and well-exercised will help keep boredom at bay and reduce destructive behaviors. Invest in puzzle feeders or interactive toys to help keep them amused and provide lots of positive interaction through regular play and grooming. Cats enjoy playing and interacting with people, and they benefit from the time you spend with them.