![]() ![]() 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. Yes.Pica is a term used to describe the consumption of non-edible materials. But manufactured vegetarian cat food containing all the necessary nutrients. These foods will not cause iron deficiency pica! It is just that the protein comes from plants. These are balanced diets because the foods contain all the usual nutrients that a domestic cat requires. PS: on the market at present there are commercially prepared cat foods using plant protein. ![]() That’s handy as most domestic cats like or love tuna. Tuna treats are also good as an iron supplement. When one cause is iron deficiency, it is a box that a cat owner can tick and resolve by feeding iron rich foods lean meat such as turkey, pork, beef and chicken and of course standard cat food of a high quality which automatically contains enough iron. It is often considered to be idiopathic (without a clear cause). I just want to flag up a possible reason for pica which is a rather enigmatic feline health problem. In rare cases, exposure to toxins may also cause iron deficiency anaemia in cats. This may occur if the cat’s caregiver is a vegan or vegetarian and is feeding their cat poor-quality food, low in protein resulting in health problems including iron deficiency.Īn instinctive, unconscious response of the cat might be to eat non-nutritious foods to make up for the iron deficiency. There are many causes of anaemia one of which is bleeding too much! That sounds crude but an injury would be a cause.Īnother, relatively rare cause would be a poor diet. Without enough iron there aren’t enough red blood cells. Iron is a major component of haemoglobin, a type of protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs of a cat to all parts of the body. Wild Cats of Asia (for kids) Menu Toggle.
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