The Ugly Truth About WHY DOES MY CAT CHEW PLASTIC

Some cats like to chew plastic objects, and others do not. If you have a chewing cat, you should take measures to bring this behavior to an end immediately before your cat is injured. Kittens are known to chew plastic because they are in the process of teething and want something that is difficult to chew. It is more common for the kitten to be injured when chewing a plastic than for an adult cat.

Here are the reasons as to why does my cat chew plastic-

1. Attractive food odors.

Some soft plastics are porous and trap the smell of what they contain. The sense of smell of cats is even stronger than that of dogs, and as we put everything in plastic, from meat to fish to sandwiches, it makes sense that the slightest smell of tempting treats leads to licking and maybe even to chewing of plastic.

2. Crinkly pleasure

Some plastic bags make all kinds of cool noises that mimic the sounds of small rodents running in the grass and leaves.

3. The corn starch factor.

More and more plastic bags containing biodegradable materials containing corn starch are manufactured. Some cats seem to find the smell and taste of cornstarch attractive.

4. Washable lubricants.

Plastics are treated with stearates, derived from sebum. Some sources say that lanolin (the oil that gives the layers of sheep a greasy feel) is also used in plastic production. Any of these things could be tempting for a curious carnivore. Gelatin is also used in photographic emulsions so that it can explain the strange charm of these old Kodak moments.

5. It’s a texture thing.

Some experts think that the soft texture of plastic feels good on a cat’s tongue. Some people believe that the temperature of the plastic may also be a factor, but in my experience, the plastic quickly increases the ambient temperature of the room in which it is located.

6. Pheromones

Some plastics contain chemicals that can mimic pheromones or other attractants, and plastic licking may be an extension of the Flehmen reaction (behavior in which an animal tears the upper lip, breathes, and holds that position). For several seconds). This could also explain why some cats like to chew plastic.

7. Mental short circuit

Some cats are used to eating foods that are not foods. This condition, called pica, is sometimes considered mental stress and is sometimes seen as an attempt to get the necessary nutrients that are not present in the cat’s diet.

How to stop your cat from chewing plastics

For healthy cats that chew plastic, you can discourage their chewing habits by using the following strategies:

Getting cat-friendly plants:

Cats have a natural desire to eat vegetation, and their houseplants can become a target. Some of these plants, such as azaleas, ivy, mistletoe, and poinsettias, can be extremely toxic to them. Discard these plants or discard them altogether. Now place the plants that your furry friends love, such as lemongrass, thyme, and mint, to prevent them from chewing their other plants.

Relieve boredom

Provide a variety of toys to your animals. This will occupy them and avoid the tendency to chew plastics. Try different types of toys to see which ones you prefer. Keep the collection out of reach and give them only 2 or 3 items at a time. In order not to get bored with toys, rotate them every two or three days

Use a deterrent –

Apply a sour apple spray to the plants, furniture and almost anything your cats like to chew. The bitter apple spray is non-toxic and can be used safely. This will not harm your animals but will make the items you spray horrible.

Chewing cats is a serious problem. Not only does it damage property and valuables, but it is also a hazard to your pets and can cause minor shock or even death. Be sure to correct this problem as soon as possible.