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

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


Dr. Amanda Charles Photo
Dr. Amanda Charles Photo

The data is present and up-to-date in accordance with the most recent veterinarian analysis.


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Cats are able to doing many issues that go away us feeling bewildered and scratching our heads. It’s usually difficult to determine if one thing that’s unusual to us is definitely regular for cats.

On the subject of consuming cat litter, we are able to safely say that this isn’t regular habits regardless of how a lot your cat tries to make it appear regular. Consuming cat litter is usually related to an underlying well being subject that requires medical consideration. Listed here are a couple of doable the reason why your cat could also be consuming cat litter and what you are able to 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 situation the place cats will chew or eat inedible supplies and objects. Cats with pica are recognized to eat objects like cardboard, vegetation, soil, and wooden. They might additionally develop a behavior of consuming cat litter.

Pica might be brought on by a wide range of elements, it may be seen as an indication of an underlying medical situation or it may be a behavioral downside. Some medical circumstances which have been linked to pica embody endocrine ailments, gastrointestinal ailments, and parasitic infections.

cat sniffing cat litter
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2. Dietary Deficiency

Generally, cats can begin to eat cat litter and different supplies because of a nutrient deficiency. They do that in an try to compensate for any important vitamins that they lack of their day by day weight loss program. Subsequently, it’s essential to hunt recommendation out of your vet and guarantee your cat is consuming high-quality cat meals and consuming acceptable parts. Making wholesome changes to their weight loss program could put an finish to your cat’s litter-eating behavior.


3. Anemia

Anemia might be associated to nutrient deficiencies, particularly iron deficiency, so some anemic cats could begin to eat cat litter. Riboflavin, vitamin B12, and niacin deficiencies may also trigger anemia.

Different indicators of anemia embody low power, little stamina, pale gums, and lethargy. After a cat has been restored to well being and any nutrient deficiency has been addressed, the cat litter-eating habits often goes away.

tabby cat sniffing the litter box
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4. Curiosity

Cats are curious animals, so they may simply be keen on enjoying with and tasting cat litter. Cat litter could really feel enjoyable or have a novel texture that cats wish to style. Usually of curiosity, your cat will often style cat litter a few occasions earlier than they turn into disinterested. So, in case your cat continues to eat cat litter on a number of events, it’s protected to say that it’s not as a result of they’re inquisitive about it.


5. Taste

Generally, cats can benefit from the taste of their cat litter and develop a liking for it. This often occurs when their cat litter is made with pure supplies like grass, wheat, or corn husks.

In case your cat likes the flavour of their cat litter, you may strive switching to a different cat litter that’s made with a unique materials. It’s also possible to strive offering them with cat grass as a protected different.

cat sniffing litter in the box
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6. Coprophagia

Coprophagia refers to a situation that causes cats to eat their very own feces. Cats with coprophagia could appear to be they’re consuming cat litter, however they’re really consuming their very own poop.

Coprophagia is usually an indication of one other underlying well being situation, reminiscent of malnutrition, colitis, or dementia. Subsequently, it’s essential to get your cat your veterinarian in the event that they begin to eat their very own poop.


7. Boredom

Cats who really feel bored or stressed could resort to consuming cat litter. Consuming litter could also be a manner for bored cats to really feel stimulated, or it might be a behavior that cats develop after they’re feeling stressed or anxious.

Making certain your cat will get sufficient train and playtime might help alleviate boredom. Offering mentally stimulating actions like deal with dispenser toys may also forestall boredom. Assuaging boredom could cause your cat’s litter consuming behavior to go away by itself.

cat climbs to the litter box
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8. Hyperthyroidism

Generally, cats with hyperthyroidism could begin to eat cat litter. The excessive ranges of thyroid hormone can improve a cat’s urge for food and metabolism, which may make them consuming inedible objects like cat litter.

Hyperthyroidism is the most typical endocrine illness in cats, and it’s most prevalent in older cats. Different indicators of hyperthyroidism are weight reduction, ingesting greater than common, poor physique situation, and an enlarged thyroid gland.


9. Mind Tumors

Mind tumors are a uncommon kind of most cancers and an unusual explanation for a cat consuming litter. Nonetheless, mind 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 previous have the next threat of growing a mind tumor.

cat using the litter box
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10. Intestinal Parasites

It’s not totally clear what the hyperlink between intestinal parasites and pica is, however some cats with intestinal parasites reminiscent of worms can even develop pica. Cats could turn into constantly hungry, which may trigger them to begin consuming inedible objects.

Remedy will range since there are various kinds of intestinal parasites. As soon as your cat is free from an intestinal parasite infestation, their pica additionally often 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 essential to search out efficient options to stop them from consuming it. Some cat litter isn’t protected for consumption and might trigger intestinal blockages. Clumping clay litter and silica litter are each varieties of cat litter which are notably unsafe for consumption. It’s often okay if a small quantity will get in your cat’s mouth, however consuming giant quantities will trigger issues within the gastrointestinal system.

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

cat sitting next to the litter box
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Learn how 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 usually related to a medical subject, it’s essential to get your cat in for a bodily examination. Your veterinarian might also run diagnostic assessments to search out the explanation behind your cat’s litter-eating habits. In case your veterinarian finds a analysis, they’ll be capable to present a remedy plan to assist your cat return to good well being. In lots of instances, cats will cease consuming cat litter as soon as they’ve gotten higher.

In case your cat continues to eat cat litter, strive switching to a unique model or kind of cat litter. This may make the cat litter much less palatable to your cat and discourage them from consuming it. Be sure that to additionally play together with your cat frequently and distract them with one other exercise if you happen to discover them going to their litter field to eat cat litter.

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Conclusion

Cats can begin to eat cat litter for a wide range of causes, however this habits is usually tied to a well being subject. Subsequently, it’s finest to get your cat to your veterinarian as quickly as doable if you happen to discover that they’re beginning to eat cat litter. Your veterinarian might help you perceive what’s inflicting this habits and how one can forestall it from occurring.

Together with getting your cat medical assist, it’s essential to make sure they’re dwelling a wholesome life-style that consists of a nutritious weight loss program, ample quantities of train, and mentally stimulating actions. Prioritizing your cat’s wellness can forestall them from consuming cat litter and growing different unsafe or unhealthy habits.


Featured Picture Credit score: Oleg Opryshko, Shutterstock