What Are The Causes Of Cats Eating Dirt?

Cats that eat any non-food item suffer from a disorder called pica. Multiple measures can be taken to address this pathology from home.

There are behaviors that may seem strange to us in pets, but many of them have a scientific explanation. For example, cats eating dirt or anything other than food can have various causes, both physiological and emotional.

This behavior is called pica and can occur in animals of all species and races. In the face of this type of disorder, it is necessary to pay attention, since the ingestion of foreign bodies can end up being a danger and, in addition, with the pike the animal can manifest a problem that has not been detected.

Is it normal for cats to eat dirt?

When an animal tries to ingest non-food items such as stones, dirt, plastics, cords or textile fibers, it is said to suffer from pica. This disorder can have many different causes and is corrected by solving the factor that triggers this atypical behavior.

Sometimes cats do not fully eat an object, but they can bite or lick it, so they ingest small pieces. Each feline can develop itch for a certain object, for example, Siamese and Burmese cats frequently show itch for wool.

Normally, the most common cause of pica is a high level of stress or boredom. On the other hand, when the reason is behavioral, it can be solved by trying to improve the animal’s environment.

Stress in cats is a common cause of pica

Changes in the feline’s routine, a move, an unstimulating environment or the presence of a new pet can trigger a lot of stress in cats. Stress can manifest itself in many different ways and pica can be one of the most common forms of its expression.

Is it dangerous for cats to eat dirt?

With the ingestion of soil, the animal may be putting any type of object or substances that are in it in its mouth, as well as parasites, bacteria and other pathogens. To avoid problems such as an intestinal obstruction or an infectious disease, you must eliminate these types of habits in the feline quickly.

In addition, this disorder can be accompanied by other symptoms of stress that can cause different problems in domestic cats, both behavioral and physiological.

Pica can also be a symptom of some diseases, so it is recommended that you consult your veterinarian about this problem in case it is necessary to carry out some type of review.

You can check if your cat has eaten dirt by looking at the feces in the litter box. If the amount of soil has been large enough to cause digestive problems, you can see the following symptoms simultaneously in the feline:

• Retching and / or vomiting.
• Constipation or trouble having a bowel movement.
• Presence of blood in the stool. This is due to obstructions or the passage of stones or sharp objects through the digestive tract.
• Loss of appetite

Finally, it is necessary to emphasize that eating dirt is not the same as consuming grass to purge oneself, a fact much more common in felines. To meet this last physiological need, you can buy and plant catnip at home that the cat can access whenever he wants.

How to prevent pica in cats

To avoid pica, the source of stress in the cat must be eliminated. Pay attention to their needs, find out the cause of stress, and try to reduce their anxiety with these tips:

• Offer him a complete and balanced diet: a good quality feed adapted to his age or a correct BARF diet are two good options for feeding a cat.

• Increase environmental enrichment at home: buy toys, scratchers and hiding places that provide enough stimulation for the animal. You can also secure a window so it can look outside. The catnip is also a great enrichment for the cats.
• Keep its litter box clean: a cat will not use the litter box if it considers it dirty, so it may end up relieving itself outside and ingesting dirt on the spot.
• Spend time with him: It is important to spend time with pets to strengthen the bond with them.
• Calming hormones: in the face of changes – or simply to improve the coexistence between domestic cats – you can place a calming hormone diffuser at home. These elements are usually very effective for felines.

Stress can trigger many physiological and behavioral disorders in cats, such as eating dirt or any other object. The best way to prevent them is to keep the animal in a sufficiently spacious and stimulating environment.

In addition to mental well-being, a physiological balance is also necessary, which is achieved by offering the cat a complete and balanced diet. It is also important to go for regular check-ups at the vet to check his health.