![]() Uncharacteristic aggression toward other cats, especially males.Swollen belly with bright, prominent nipples (pinking up).Pregnant cats could be eating for as many as 13. You have heard of the saying, “eating for 2,” when referring to a pregnant human, no doubt. Pregnant cats will be much hungrier than usual. A lack of iron is most concerning as this can lead to anemia. If your cat only eats kibble, consider introducing supplements into its diet. Wet food is also preferred for resolving food-related issues. Check that your cat’s preferred meals are age-appropriate. Once a cat reaches 10 years of age, its nutritional requirements change. If so, ensure that your cat is fed a high-quality, age-appropriate diet. Your cat eats non-food items in an attempt at balancing the vitamins and minerals in its body. Shortages of iron, zinc, and calcium are most commonly linked to pica. When adopting a kitten, ensure that it has spent sufficient time with its mother and littermates. Scientific Reports link early weaning to aggression later in life. The habit may start with sucking on wool or fabric but will soon graduate to swallowing. The cat is attempting to replicate the experience of suckling and getting nourishment from a teat. Kittens separated too soon, or rejected by their mother, often develop pica. By the time that they reach this age, the cat will have been taught to eat solids. Kittens should not leave their mothers until they are at least 8 weeks old. Pica has been linked to cats being weaned too soon. If an older adult cat is showing signs of pica, there will usually be a reason: Early Weaning As explained by Applied Animal Behavior Science, pica is common in kittens and young cats. If your cat is very young, the cat is likely to outgrow the behavior. Feline pica syndrome is most common in these breeds: ![]() Some cats are genetically predisposed to pica. What Causes Pica in Cats?Ĭauses vary from physical ailments to phycological distress. Any non-digestible item must be removed from a cat’s stomach. X-rays may be required to determine what is causing the problem. If you notice these symptoms in a cat with pica, seek immediate advice from a vet. Fever or low body temperature (anything above or below 100 degrees Fahrenheit).Pain in the belly (verbalizations, refusal to be touched).Also, check for warning signs of digestive difficulties. If you know that your cat has pica, restrict access to anything the cat may eat and keep it indoors. Worse still, your cat may eat something that causes a digestive blockage, such as a plastic carrier bag. For example, your cat may eat dirt or soil that contains dangerous bacteria. If your cat is eating strange or unusual household objects, though, this is more of an issue.Įating items that aren’t food can be fatal. ![]() Cats can be fed dog food in an emergency. Equally, a cat eating human food or dog food is likely born out of curiosity.Īs long as the food is not damaging to the cat, it is not a concern. This is an extension of the feline hunting instinct.
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