#Pica treatment full
#Pica treatment free

For those cats that idly chew it is often possible to deter them by using Olbas Oil (eucalyptus oil) or Bitter Apple (used to deter animals from chewing at stitches in surgical wounds) to coat the item of choice. Not all pica habits represent serious addictions. Your vet can recommend a diet that may be suitable.

Some cats benefit from a dietary change to one with high fibre content or the introduction of softened hide sticks (usually given to small dogs) with a drop of fish oil added as an acceptable object to chew. It is advisable to remove all materials that are consumed (this may involve locking them away) and increase opportunities to play with moving objects, such as fishing rod toys.

#Pica treatment free

The ideal solution is free access outdoors if this isn’t possible then a secured garden or outside pen may be an option. These cats need a great deal of stimulation indoors to give them things to do that enable them to behave in a natural way for the species. Sufferers tend to have restricted lifestyles, for example living exclusively indoors, or may be particularly susceptible to stress. What should I do if my cat eats wool or other material? These signs are vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation (straining unproductively) and general listlessness. If you know your cat suffers from pica, it is important to be vigilant and monitor for signs of a blockage in the intestines. What signs should I look for if my cat has a blockage?

#Pica treatment full

Sections of the gut may need to be removed in severe cases but, despite this, cats usually do make a full recovery afterwards. Unfortunately, many of the substances chosen cannot be digested in the same way as food and there is a risk that it will cause an obstruction in the intestines and require surgery (called a laparotomy) to remove the material (referred to as a ‘foreign body’). This then becomes addictive and, if a cat is observed ‘wool eating’, the expression does appear to be one of sheer ecstasy! Is pica dangerous for my cat? It is not fully understood why sufferers appear so highly motivated to consume fabric but one theory suggests that the act of chewing causes chemicals to be released in the ‘pica brain’ producing a feeling of intense pleasure. The behaviour is highly rewarding for susceptible individuals and many will go to great lengths to seek out the favoured material. A pica sufferer will take the chosen object in its mouth and grind repeatedly with the back molar teeth before swallowing in a sequence that can take just a few seconds. Many cats will chew and tear at objects when exhibiting predatory behaviour during play but pieces are torn off and not consumed. However, for some, the habit continues well into adulthood and can be highly resistant to intervention. Some kittens arrive in their new home at the age of three months or even younger already chewing their bedding but may grow out of the habit as they mature.

Objects made of rubber, wood, leather, plastic, cellophane, paper and cardboard are also popular. However, this consumption can generalise to other natural and synthetic fabrics, with some individuals favouring one particular texture.

The behaviour seen predominantly in the Oriental breeds is referred to as ‘wool eating’ as this is often the material chosen. However other domestic cats with no known Oriental ancestry can also suffer from pica. It is most frequently seen in certain breeds, such as Siamese, Burmese, Tonkinese and other Oriental types, leading to the suggestion that there may be a genetic component with the trait passing down particular family lines. Pica is a term used to describe the consumption of non-edible materials.