What it is
Kittens explore the world with their mouths, but when chewing turns into swallowing and keeps happening, it is called pica. Sometimes it is linked to boredom, stress or being weaned too early, and sometimes to a health problem such as anaemia, so the cause is worth working out together with a vet.
Long, soft things carry the greatest danger: thread, ribbon, hair ties, and pieces of plastic too. A swallowed object can get stuck in the stomach or gut and upset digestion.
Living with a cat like this, it helps to know which things draw it, and to notice when one of them goes missing or gets shorter. A detail like that can help a vet understand what is going on.
Signs you may notice
- Chews fabric or plastic
- Sucks woollen things
- Swallows thread or hair ties
- Vomits
- Struggles to pass stools
A cat sucks or chews clothes, blankets, plastic bags or cables, and sometimes vomits or struggles to pass stools.
When to see a vet
If you suspect your cat has swallowed something it should not have, or it vomits, will not eat and is listless, a vet is needed immediately. For the chewing habit on its own, book a check-up.
This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own cat's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.