Generally, your cat is smart enough not to swallow something she may choke on.Įven so, if she is regularly eating dirt, she faces the risk of damaging or breaking her teeth on hard objects like stones. Each mouthful your cat takes runs the risk of her swallowing something.Ĭonsequently, there is a real risk of your cat choking if she routinely eats dirt. Chokingĭirt is full of rocks, roots, clumps, and all sorts of other objects. Your cat could become very ill very quickly if she ingests something that is poisonous to her. Unquestionably these chemicals are not meant to be eaten, least of all by your cat. Varying on where you live, the dirt your cat is eating could contain a mixture of pesticides or other toxins. People often say that kids who grow up swallowing a bit of dirt have more robust immune systems.īut the reality is that eating dirt could do your cat severe harm. On the face of it, you might think it’s harmless enough. But now, you’re probably wondering if it could do her any harm. Related: Can Cats Eat Almonds? Is it Safe? The Dangers of Your Cat Eating Dirtīy this point, you have a better idea of why your cat eats dirt. While many of the kittens grow out of it, it would suggest that some breeds are more likely to suffer pica than others. Genetic Compulsive DisorderĪ study reports that Siamese and Birman cat breeds are more prone to sucking and chewing wool as kittens. Wool is the most common material eaten by stressed cats, but every cat is different, so it’s important not to rule stress out just because your cat is eating dirt. Eating foreign objects is one method some cats use in order to overcome their anxiety. Pica is a recognized symptom of stress in cats. However, if she starts chewing stones and plants, she may add dirt to the menu. If your cat doesn’t get enough exercise, stimulation, or enrichment, she may take steps to entertain herself.īoredom is more likely to result in chewing behavior than your cat eating dirt. Medical ReasonsĬats suffering from iron deficiency anemia may eat dirt in an attempt to increase their iron intake.Ĭat pica can also be associated with feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia. So if your cat is eating dirt, it may signify that she is suffering from a mineral deficiency. If your cat isn’t getting the nutrients and vitamins she needs from her diet, she may eat dirt in an attempt to make up for it. Many things can cause pica let’s take a look at them now. Mild chewing isn’t a huge deal, but when it becomes an obsession, and your cat is also eating the substance, it can be problematic. Cats chew on wood, metal, fabric, and toys, amongst other things. Vets report that our kitties chew on a wide range of objects. Pica is an eating disorder where cats, and other species, eat things that have no nutritional value or other benefits. Learn more about the signs in the video below. Under those circumstances, eating dirt could be a sign that your cat is suffering from pica. In older cats, eating dirt and other foreign objects is not normal and can signal that something is up. They will soon learn that dirt isn’t food. One of which is putting everything in their mouth to taste, chew and even eat.Ī kitten eating dirt is likely experimenting with the world around them. Much like children, kittens explore the world in several ways. Many unusual cat behaviors are quite normal and make sense when we take time to look at the world from their perspective. Read on, and we’ll take a look at the potential reasons for this behavior & find out where it should rank on your “freak out meter.” Why Does Your Cat Eat Dirt? Our loveable little furry friends do all sorts of odd things, and some are far more worrisome than others. “Why does my cat eat dirt?” is just one of the many bizarre things you never thought you’d be asking when you brought your first cat home.Īnd yet, no veteran cat owner would bat an eyelid if you brought this up in conversation.
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