What is pica?
Pica is a condition where a cat persistently ingests non-food items. For example, they may eat plastic, paper, fabric, string, or thread.
What causes pica?
There are multiple behavioral and medical conditions that can cause pica in cats, including:
- Gastrointestinal conditions, like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), or liver shunt
- Anemia (low red blood cells)
- Anxiety
- Compulsive disorders
- Malnutrition, including starvation or imbalanced diet, leading to dietary insufficiencies
- Diabetes mellitus
- Hyperthyroidism
- Brain conditions
What problems can pica cause?
The most common problem that pica causes is gastrointestinal obstruction due to a non-digestible object getting stuck in the esophagus, stomach, or intestines. An obstruction can cause pain, reduced appetite, and vomiting.
If the foreign object is sharp, it can damage the intestine, leading to ulcers (sores) or perforations (holes). Perforation may cause life-threatening peritonitis if the intestinal contents leak into the abdominal cavity.
Pica may also cause dental disease. When the cat eats abnormal material, it may cause a tooth fracture or lodge between teeth, leading to rapidly progressive periodontal disease, including gingivitis, gum recession, and bone loss.
What are common signs of pica?
You may see your cat eating non-food items (including chewing or sucking on inappropriate items). Other signs of pica include:
- Vomiting or defecating the abnormal content
- Bad breath if pica has contributed to dental disease or tooth fracture
- Pale gums and/or weakness if anemia is present
- Vomiting and/or reduced appetite
How is pica diagnosed?
Your veterinarian will start by reviewing your cat’s history thoroughly, including detailed information about your cat’s behavior and diet. A physical exam may reveal dental changes that suggest pica.
Diagnosing a gastrointestinal obstruction can be challenging. Regular X-rays may show the obstruction, but more commonly, contrast X-rays are needed. For contrast X-rays, a liquid that will show up on on X-rays is given orally before the X-rays are taken so the obstruction may become more visible. An abdominal ultrasound may also be recommended.
Your veterinarian may recommend blood, urine, and fecal testing to detect the underlying cause, such as malnutrition, hyperadrenocorticism, or intestinal parasites. More advanced testing may be recommended if stomach or intestinal disease is suspected, including gastrointestinal endoscopy and biopsy.
If medical causes have been ruled out, your veterinarian may recommend referral to a veterinary behaviorist.
How is pica treated?
The consequences of pica (e.g., dental fracture, gastrointestinal obstruction) may need surgical treatment. If the cause is medical, you must treat the underlying cause.
If the cause is determined to be behavioral, you will need to make several changes:
Change environment
- Prevent access to your cat’s preferred, abnormal, non-food items.
- Use feeding toys instead of bowls to encourage a cat’s typical hunting behavior.
- Ensure your cat has access to scratching posts, prey-like toys, and areas to hide in.
Change behavior
- Use positive reinforcement to train your cat to avoid non-food items.
- Use positive reinforcement to teach your cat tricks, which gives them more mental stimulation and enrichment.
Avoid punishment
- Punishment can increase anxiety, potentially worsening the behavior.
Consider a diet change
- Your veterinarian may recommend changing your cat’s diet or feeding pattern.
Give medications as directed
- Your cat may need medications to reduce anxiety or manage compulsive disorders, in combination with behavior modification. Your veterinarian will discuss options appropriate for your cat.
Can pica be prevented?
Pica can be a natural behavior in kittens that are exploring their new world, but ongoing pica can be prevented with careful supervision, along with a complete, balanced diet and regular mental and physical enrichment. You may need to create barriers to prevent your cat from accessing their favorite non-food.
