MeOW Welcome to Service Cat Monday. Sorry ‘bout last week, seems winter has arrived and with it winter storms. Anyways, let me get the business outta the way and we’ll get on with today’s posty. The followin’ post will be written in human English fur reader and translator ease. Our Service Cat Monday posts aren’t intended to be an all inclusive Trainin’ Manual but rather Tips, Tricks and Techniques used/developed by mommy A thru her many years of animal trainin’, cats in purrticular. And to offur insight into your questions about Feline Behavior. Ifin you have any questions or topics you would like us to cover, purrlease let us know in the comments section or send us an email. When asking behavioral questions, purrlease be as specific as pawssible. And, ifin you’ve missed any of the posts in this series, you can ketch up by clickin’ the links at the end of this post. Always remember, Training is all ‘bout Repetition and Rewards.
So, the last topic we dealt with was inappropriate licking and Chewing. We’re going to take that a bit further today and meow about something called Pica. Pica is an actual defect that goes beyond the casual curiosity chewing of cords and other non food items. Did you know that some humans are affected by Pica too? Sure ‘nuff, but today we’re dealing with kitty/doggy Pica. First let’s explain what it is. A cat/dog with Pica will regularly eat or try to eat things like wool, socks, plastic (baggies), cotton, cords, boxes and other non food items. Pica is actual ingesting and not just chewing/suckling. Pica is not about your animal being hungry. Starvation is a whole other issue and not one a well cared for pet should be in danger of.
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This behavior (Pica) can be extremely dangerous, even deadly. Eating any of these items can cause tummy upsets, choking, unknown health issues/diseases or obstructions that require expensive surgery. We often see kittens kneading and “suckling” those soft floofy blankets/throws and think it’s cute. We have some really cute videos of me doing just that. You just watched one of them. Mommy needs to replace our blanket and throws every year because of it. Thankfully, me doesn’t actually eat the blankets/throws, but some kitties/doggies do. And, it’s NOT cute, it’s very Dangerous.
You can sort of see the suckled parts of this throw. Sis Lexi
and me both luvved it.
What causes Pica you ask? There are several possible causes: Nutritional Deficiency, Boredom, Anxiety, Teething, Early Weaning, Compulsive Disorder, and some Diseases and Health Problems, such as Diabetes, Leukemia, Tumors, Anemia and more. So again we say, Pica is not cute. It’s an outer symptom of an inner problem. If your cat/dog is exhibiting signs of Pica, DO NOT jump to conclusions or think the worse!!! We are NOT Vets nor is this post a means of diagnosing an illness.
See that spot behind me that looks a mess? Well, me just couldn’t help
me’s-self. Every meownin’ and night when me would give mommy a
massage, me would suckle the blanky.
What should you do if you cat/dog is exhibiting signs of Pica? Make an appointment with your VET to rule out any medical causes/diseases/illnesses or Nutritional deficiencies. Once kitty/doggy has been given a clean bill of health, remove the tempting items from kitty/doggy’s reach. This is a cautionary step and one that is often hard to continue for the life of the pet. Altho’ your pet’s health should be just as important as your own. However, we suggest finding the cause of the behavior and Re-Training/Directing the animal to proper behavior.
Me just can’t help me’s-self.
We believe in treating the underlying issue so that kitty/doggy can live a full and happy life. Put on your detective’s hat and watch kitty/doggy closely for signs of stress, anxiety and/or boredom. Try to determine the Triggers, the Duration of the Licking/Chewing, what type of Object is chosen (the item may be different for different triggers), and the time of day/month/year. Holidays may cause your pet to become more stressed and thus cause Pica to be more prevalent at those times. Do you have guests? Is there a new family member, furry or not? Are you away from the home more than before? A little detecting will lead you to discover the cause or behavioral Pica.
Inneractive play helps keep kitty from getting bored.
Some quick fixes/things to try, can be to set up a Decompression Room. Or, just spending more time with kitty/doggy. If kitty/doggy is bored, implement more play time. Maybe Train kitty to wear a harness and take them for walks. Please be aware of dangerous things kitty/doggy might try to eat while outside and avoid them. Redirect kitty/doggy immediately to an appropriate toy to play with. Include interactive play. Remember, Do Not Punish kitty/doggy, instead Always use Positive Reinforcement when they respond to Redirection. NEVER Hit your kitty/doggy. This will accomplish Nothing and only serve to diminish your relationship. You may also try medications. These should only be used under the direction of a licensed VET, and as a last resort. (in our opinion)
Who? Me? I’s only suckle mommy.
One last thing, Suckling and Eating are 2 separate things. However, a cat/dog that suckles may progress to eating, so keep an eye on your pet and make sure that doesn’t happen. There’s no way we can cover every possibility here, but we do hope we’ve helped you to begin to understand Pica and how to help your kitty/doggy.
We’re gonna wrap it up today. Remember, ifin ya’ have any questions or topics you’d like us to address, leave them in the comments section, or send us an email. And, as always, you can ketch up on any post you may have missed by clickin’ the links below.
Till the next time……………………………………Be Blest!!!
Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses
Deztinee and RaenaBelle
Service Cats U.S. 
I’d never heard of pica in cats – but it makes sense. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve met who’ve been shocked cats get diabetes, cancer, etc just like us humans. I guess they just never thought about it. Then again, so many people don’t take their pets to the vet at all. Sending hugs to you beautiful ladies!
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You’re so right ’bout dat last statement awnty Kat. ‘Specially in our area. Cats are such third and fourth rate citizens it’s not even funny. We just wish there were more stufies bein’ done on at health and diseases. Maybe someday… Big hugs to ya’ll.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
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I never heard of the term. At first I though you were writing about the animal “pika”, but I didn’t see any! Luckily I don’t seem to have ever seen this trait in any of my pets. Hopefully I won’t!
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MOL MeOW, It’s actually very purrevalent among anipals, peeps just don’t realize that’s the purroblem. But, we’re glad you don’t have any kitties with it. Always a good thing to have a house full of happy healthy kitties. Big hugs
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
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That’s interesting. When Nellie was in an international study of purebred Siamese cats, they asked several questions about wool sucking. When I spoke with the researcher on the phone, she told me they suspect it is a genetic component in all Oriental breeds, as well as their crosses. In their study, more that 90% of the Siamese cats did it (yes Nellie did too). We made sure that whichever item became her current “favorite” was made out of a material that could not harm her, and when it got to worn, it was replaced. Oh yes, she did the “kneading” at the same time too!
thanks for the wonderful memories, they made me smile.
Love Barb
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Yep, Pica is purrevalent in Siamese ‘specially. It would make sense that Orientals would be also. We’re glad our posty brought back fond Nellie memories awnty Barb. Mommy always luvs thinkin’ ’bout sis Lexi too. Big hugs
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
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Chuck was most definitely a wool-sucker when he was smaller, and he chewed on lots of things but we never thought it was pica. Even today, he’s fascinated by string and the cords to my earbuds!
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I did not know all that about Pica! Wow fascinating! As far as repetition and reward go – my guys sure have the reward part down!
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Glad we could help you unnerstand it better. Mommy says we have da reward pawrt down too. MOL Big hugs
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
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Very interesting, I am glad my kitties don’t have this. I think I did when I was a toddler, I still have stuffed animals from then that I ate all the fur off of.
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Oh awnty Ellen, bless your heart. We’re glad you outgrew it. Big hugs
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
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I will have to keep an eye on Brother Simon, he rips apart cardboard but so far I haven’t seen him eat any of it. Love ya sweeties!
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Really good one. We have this problem with both our dogs. Our Max eats the unmentionable and our girl Bella anything she can get her mouth on and we have problems with both of them vomiting off and on. They have each other, play with each other, have a big yard to roam and in house beds during the day when they want to come in and at night. No idea how to break them of the habit. Both have had chronic health issues: Max was from a puppy mill and has congenital issues, including but not limited to three paws and Bella has a serious health issue which has brought her to ICU several times. Currently they are both stable but that doesn’t stop the in-the-mouth issues. Unfortunately we can’t be outside with them all the time to do the positive redirection. We’ll try to work on it more when we are around. Thanks for this. ❤
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Oh awnty Paulette, we’re so sorry to hear ’bout Max and Bella’s health issues. But we are so grateful you saved them and luv them. While we purrfur other methods, Redirection and so on, you might check with their VET and see if a low dose anti-depressant might help. Or another low dose drug used to treat Pica. It sounds as ifin Max’s might be from stress or anxiety. Puppy mills are horrible and leave animals in such a state once they have freedom. We’re glad they are doin’ well now and continued purrayers fur them and you. big hugs
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
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dezi N raena…tho itz knot AZ bad, eye haz pica when it comez ta chewin lectric stuff…eye haz been like thiz frum adoptshun…..cordz. pipez, toobz….if it haz jooce runnin threw it…eye am total lee ther…..de food servizz gurl haz nothin plugged in….troo lee….less its sum thin eye canna get bee hind like de dresser//clock
tuna of moon ~~~ ☺☺♥♥
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Oh Toona, you sound like Raena. Fankfully, she doesn’t go fur the juiced items, but metal ain’t much better. We’re just glad you’re so luvved and well taken care of. Big hugs
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
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My sister Talley likes to Chew on the fringe of our throws, She doesn’t eat them though. She also like to chew dad’s hair while he is sleeping he often wakes up with Talley pulling his hair!
Thank you for the informative articles they are very much appreciated!
Purrs and hugs
Pete and the whole family
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Oh Pete, dat Talley does sound da character. Sis Lexi used to suckle mommy’s hair at night. Glad Talley’s not eatin’ any of dat hair. Big hugs
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
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