• 435-644-2001 • www.bestfriends.org Pica: The Un-Finicky Feline By Karen Sueda, DVM What is pica? Pica is the act of eating non-food items. In less serious cases, cats may chew or suck on objects, but not actually swallow them. Common targets include yarn or string, fabric, wool, phone or electric cords, and plants. Any object may be a potential target, however. Why is pica dangerous? Other than its destructive potential, pica can be extremely hazardous to your cat’s health if non-food items are consumed. Ingested fabric, string, or other materials can lodge in your cat’s stomach or intestine. The blockage prevents the passage of food and may cut off the blood supply to these organs. Both are life-threatening conditions. Cats that chew on power cords may be electrocuted. Additionally, many common houseplants are toxic to cats; chewing or eating these plants can cause a wide range of symptoms, from drooling to death. If your cat has a history of ingesting non- food items and becomes lethargic, vomits, or displays other behavior that concerns you, take him or her to your veterinarian immediately. Why does my cat eat or chew on non-food items? No one knows exactly why some cats exhibit pica behavior. Because pica has been associated with a variety of diseases, including feline leukemia and feline immunodefi - ciency virus, a veterinarian should examine any cat with pica. A genetic component is also suspected, since wool or fabric sucking/chewing is more commonly found in Orien- tal breeds such as Siamese cats. Although it is normal for cats to eat small amounts of grass, consumption of large amounts of plant material may be an indication of a dietary defi ciency or illness. Once medical causes are ruled out, behavioral reasons for pica can include boredom, attention-seeking, attractive odors, hunger, and learned behavior. What is the treatment for pica? Once your veterinarian has ruled out medical causes, you can discuss what steps you can take to modify your cat’s behavior. These may include the following: • Remove the targeted items. Placing clothing, blankets, houseplants and electric cords out of the reach of your cat is often the easiest solution. Storage containers, electric cord guards, and other useful items are available at most home supply stores. • 435-644-2001 • www.bestfriends.org • Provide alternative items to chew or eat. Food-dispensing toys, durable cat toys, or pieces of rawhide can be used to redirect your cat’s chewing behavior to more appropriate and safe items. For cats attracted to houseplants, small fl owerpots of grass or catnip can be planted and kept indoors. You can also purchase “cat greens” at pet supply stores. • Provide lots of structured play. Many cats chew on household items out of boredom. Provide interactive toys and set aside time each day to play with your cat. • Increase dietary fi ber. It may help to increase the amount of fi ber in your cat’s diet. Besides providing more dietary fi ber, high-fi ber foods usually contain fewer calories. Your cat may be able to satisfy her craving to eat more while still maintaining her weight. Consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your cat’s diet. • Make targeted items aversive. You can buy spray-on products at pet supply stores that are distasteful (but safe) to cats. Occasionally, applying one of these substances to an item may deter a cat from chewing it. You could also try spraying a strong-smelling substance (such as citrus air freshener or potpourri) or using a physical deterrent (such as an upside-down carpet runner) around an object to see if it prevents your cat from approaching the object. • Consult with a veterinary behaviorist. If your cat continues to ingest non- food items despite all your efforts, get a referral to a veterinary behaviorist. Further environmental and behavior modifi cation plans, specifi cally tailored to your pet, may be needed and, in some cases, medication may be helpful. Karen Sueda is a veterinary behavior resident at the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Clinical Animal Behavior Service.