Is It Normal For Cats To Clean Kitty Litter In Themselves

Why is My Cat Eating The Litter?

Cats sometimes do mysterious things. And sometimes, to our shock, that includes eating cat litter. What in the world possesses a cat to eat cat litter—and is it fifty-fifty safe for them to eat? As it turns out, there are a lot of reasons why a cat might show an unusual interest in their litter.

Your cat'due south peckish for true cat litter tin can exist acquired by a range of medical issues, by what the litter itself is made of, and can fifty-fifty be caused by genetic predisposition.

Some cat litter is naturally "tasty"

While most litter is made from clay or crystals, some litter is made from more edible, and perchance more than enticing, sources. This includes litter made from corn, walnut shells, coconut husks, grass, wheat, or paper. The smell of these types of litter may encourage your true cat to take a seize with teeth, and the foodlike taste might go along them coming back for more.

What is pica?

Your cat could be eating litter for reasons that have aught to practice with the smell or taste of information technology, though. Pica is a texture-based compulsion to eat, lick, or suck on nonfood items, and this condition is fairly common in cats. Some cats lick plastic. Others fixate on fabric. And some are drawn, inexplicably, to litter.

Pica isn't the only reason that your cat might develop a sense of taste for cat litter, though. Here are some of the top causes that PetMD lists for unusual cravings—including craving cat litter.

Reasons Why Cats Swallow Litter

Litter made from nutrient-based products
Pica
Dietary deficiencies such as anemia
Feline leukemia
Feline immunodeficiency virus
Diabetes
Brain tumors
Boredom
Stress

Is Cat Litter Toxic to Cats?

Whether your cat eats litter due to pica, colorlessness, or another reason entirely—your commencement business concern might exist for your true cat'southward rubber. Litter isn't meant to be eaten, but is it dangerous for cats?

Litter is not skilful for cats to consume, but some litter is more dangerous than others. Clumping litter contains sodium bentonite, and information technology is especially dangerous for cats. The sodium bentonite can clump within of their intestines and crusade a blockage. In farthermost cases, it can even cause bentonite toxicosis when ingested.

Not all litter is created equal. If you are worried most the adventure of sodium bentonite, consider looking into a different type of litter. For a litter that doesn't contain sodium bentonite, consider one fabricated from nutrient-based products such as wheat or corn.

How to stop your cat from swallow litter

Information technology isn't skilful for cats to eat cat litter, but you may be lost on how to help them break the habit. How can y'all finish a true cat from eating litter?

Since stress can lead to eating inedible substances, start with monitoring and reducing stressors in your cat. Stress can exist acquired past a variety of sources, and can be diffused past keeping your cat mentally stimulated, giving your true cat plenty space, playing, or even introducing a horomone diffuser to help your true cat experience safety.

Colorlessness is also a potential culprit. Ensuring that your cat gets plenty of practice and interaction and has lots of fun toys to play with will help gainsay that. Information technology may besides help to give your cat toys they can safely chew, such every bit one in which yous can hide an edible care for.

Anemia or dietary imbalances can crusade strange cravings. Ensure that your cat is eating a high-quality cat nutrient that provides them with the vitamins and minerals that they demand to stay healthy.

If your cat continues to eat litter, consider switching to a dissimilar litter. This may stop the coercion. Switching to a natural litter may also decrease the risk of complications from eating litter. A litter made out of wheat, corn, or a similar substance is less probable to course internal blockages and does not carry whatever risk of bentonite toxicosis.

If these don't assistance with the problem, consider taking your cat to the vet. A more serious cause could exist at the root of this. Your cat may be eating litter due to a medical or psychological reason that your vet volition be able to help with navigating. Your vet will also be able to advise you lot on what lifestyle changes will assist your cat to kick their compulsion for good.

Whether your cat is eating litter out of boredom or due to a serious medical status, taking steps to ensure your cat has plenty of stimulation, low stress levels, and the veterinary care they need will help them to pause their unsavory habit. If you have even more questions almost cat litter or cat anxiety, check out the manufactures below for even more than information.