The cat is eating litter. What to do?

This phenomenon even has a special name – picacism or allotriophagy. This is a perverse appetite, which is characterized by a craving for eating inedible objects, including tray filler.

This behavior can occur for various reasons. If your cat is eating litter, it could be either health related or behavior related. If you suspect this is a health problem, you should contact your veterinarian immediately, especially if this behavior has come on suddenly. You can even consult with a veterinarian online – on our website or in the Petstory mobile app.

Among the possible diseases, a symptom of which is picacism, are anemia, leukemia, kidney disease.

Another possible cause is a power issue. The cat may eat filler due to the fact that it lacks some substances in the food. Lack of vitamin A, vitamin B1 (thiamine), L-carnitine, magnesium, sodium, or taurine can cause these behaviors in cats. Therefore, it is so important to feed a cat with ready-made balanced diets, which take into account all the necessary vitamins and minerals.

How to wean a cat to eat filler?

First you need to understand the cause and only then proceed to correct the behavior. Once you are sure your pet is healthy, you can try the following steps.

First, try changing the filler. They come in many varieties, and your cat may lose interest in the new species. Read more about fillers in our article.

Secondly, review the cat’s diet. Make sure she gets everything she needs from her daily food.

Thirdly, play more with your pet. Perhaps your cat eats litter simply out of boredom. Buy her new toys, treats, and give her more attention.

February 5 2021

Updated: 1 March 2021