Why does my cat chew on cloth?

One of the strangest cat behavior problems is when the animals chew on wool, plastic, or other materials. Pica is the term used to describe a cat’s abnormal craving to eat non-food items. Siamese and other oriental breeds are the most frequent offenders, but almost any mixed-breed cat can have this problem. Cats with pica will bite telephone cords, panty hose, or plastic bags.

Veterinarians aren’t sure why cats do it, but pica seems to be an obsessive-compulsive problem. In fact, some cats respond to the same drugs that are used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder in humans. Pica may also be a craving for roughage, so planting a cat garden can be another worthwhile approach.

– Dr. Larry McDaniel, DVM for the “Purina® Animal Instincts” Podcast Series

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