Rubber is a common material for teething rings because it has some give in it, but paper and cardboard are more accessible, more available, and easier for your cats to chew. Chewing on something can provide great relief from the condition, as parents of teething children can attest. As their adult teeth begin to break out, it can cause irritation and some pain around the site.
One of the reasons for this may be that they are prone to teething. Pica is more common in kittens and young cats than in older cats. If you can identify any of these in your cat, it could be the underlying cause of the condition. They do not usually contain the same array of chemicals, so if you know your cat is a paper eater, you are unable to keep the source of paper away from them, and you can dictate what type of paper it is, this may be a better alternative to other forms of paper.Įxperts are unsure exactly why cats eat objects like paper and cardboard, but there are several likely causes. Hemp papers offer a natural alternative to other papers. They also contain dyes, adhesives, and if the material has been used as a container, you also have to consider the former contents. Paper often contains staples and other fastenings that are designed to connect multiple sheets. There are other dangers associated with your cat eating cardboard and paper. It is quite conceivable that your cat’s non-edible habit could lead to such products getting stuck in their throat. Paper is very dry and cardboard can be stiff with sharp corners. Your cat may find it difficult to chew and swallow larger pieces of these materials. They should be able to digest the material, as long as they can effectively chew and swallow it in the first place. They can be difficult to digest, but if your cat has eaten a small or modest amount and it is a one-off, you shouldn’t worry. Your cat may grow out of it, but this isn’t guaranteed, and there are some very viable reasons to try and stop your cat from eating cardboard and paper.Ĭardboard and paper are not meant to be eaten. Pica syndrome tends to be more common in young cats, and experts are unsure as to the precise cause of this unusual complaint but have speculated as to several potential causes. This condition can be witnessed in people, and it is more common than you might imagine in cats, considering they can be such picky eaters at other times.
For cats, common objects include hair bobbles and bobby pins, plastic, wood, and paper-based products. These are several potential causes of this action, a host of ways you could potentially stop it, and plenty of reasons to stop your feline friend from feasting on non-food fiber. In other cases, the cat might be tempted by the smell or taste of what was formerly inside the paper.īut there is a surprisingly large number of cats that suffer from something referred to as Pica Syndrome, or the urge to eat non-edible materials. Sometimes, owners mistake their cats playing with the toilet roll as a desire to eat it. Believe it or not, cats eating cardboard and paper is a common problem.