A few cats have developed a habit of chewing or devouring paper. For a number of reasons, cats have been observed to occasionally display strange behavior, leaving their owners perplexed. Cats eating paper is typically safe, but there are a few possible risks.
Why do cats eat paper?
Why do cats eat paper?
Cats are inquisitive animals who use their lips and noses to taste, sniff, and even gnaw on interesting objects to learn more about their surroundings. Things that humans cannot sense, they can taste and smell. Despite how bizarre it may sound, many cats find paper and cardboard to be enticing. This could include toilet paper, paper towels, cardboard boxes, bills, books, and periodicals, depending on the cat.
Cats may discover they like the taste and scent of paper after licking and chewing on it to investigate or play. While some cats may just chew on cardboard and paper, others will really swallow it.
Being carnivores, cats have an innate need to seek prey. It's probable that ripping cardboard and paper simulates their behavior of tearing into their prey's flesh.
The urge to consume non-food objects that have no nutritional value is known as pica. Humans, dogs, cats, and other animals can all suffer from this illness. Cats who eat paper may have pica, and there are a few potential causes.
1: Inquisitiveness
2: Boredom
3: Play/fun (cats frequently love the texture)
4: Kittens teething
5: Anxiety or stress
6: Compulsive-obsessive behavior
7: A medical ailment or a lack of nutrients
Are paper products safe for cats to eat?
Cats who chew paper often only consume tiny amounts of it. On the other hand, consuming a lot of paper can be unhealthy. Cellulose fiber from wood or other comparable materials is used to make paper, and during processing, different chemicals may be added. Ink and dyes are frequently found in finished paper. Certain papers contain substances that, in large enough quantities, could be harmful. Luckily, a large amount of paper would not be hazardous.
The biggest risk connected to cats chewing paper is intestinal blockage. Paper can typically be broken down in small amounts in the stomach. On the other hand, a lot of paper might absorb moisture or clump in the intestines or stomach. Clumps of paper may prevent food from entering the GI system if they get big enough. The body will attempt to pass or eject the paper. Parts or all of the paper may be regurgitated by your cat. But there's a chance the pants will get stuck in the digestive system and block it. This is a dangerous condition that has to be treated by a veterinarian right away.
Vomiting, diarrhea, appetite loss, and lethargic behavior are possible early indicators of gastrointestinal blockage. There could be pain and/or bloating in the abdomen. Visit the closest open vet as soon as possible if you see these symptoms and think your cat may have eaten something that isn't edible. An ultrasonography or radiograph may reveal a GI blockage. If so, it will be necessary to remove the foreign body. An endoscopy may be able to remove the foreign body if it is in the stomach. Abdominal surgery is required for intestinal blockages.
If your cat is displaying any symptoms of disease or if you observe them eating significant amounts of paper or other improper objects, get in touch with your veterinarian. Before attempting to modify the behavior, it's critical to rule out a medical and dietary explanation for the pica.
How to stop your cat from eating paper?
1: Keeping paper out of your cat's reach is the best way to stop them from eating it. Arrange books and magazines in drawers and on shelves. Put vital documents in plastic folders or drawers (unless the cat also likes plastic). Refrain from leaving out cardboard boxes if your cat has a tendency to devour a lot of them.
2: Take action to lessen boredom and improve your cat's surroundings. Play and spend time getting to know your cat. To keep the cat busy, place scratchers and toys throughout the house. Think about putting cat shelves along the wall or other vertical space additions in your house.
3: Your cat may stop eating paper if you train them to do so. While some cats are intransigent and obstinate, many cats, particularly those who are food-motivated, react well to clicker training. Try using particular cue phrases to teach your cat new actions, and then apply the clicker to reward the desired behavior. Use a cue phrase that your cat has already learned to draw their attention away from the paper and towards you once they have been clicker-trained. Say a command word to the cat when she tries to eat something that she shouldn't.
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