Let's talk licking

...and biting. Sound sexy? It might be pica.

My dear human people readers,

This issue, I want to talk about licking. 

Not just any licking, though.

I want to talk about cats that lick things not…meant for licking — the propensity of some cats to lick (and, sometimes, chew) non-edible objects and textures that strike us as weird: wool fabrics, crinkly plastic and cellophane, textured rubber, or cardboard are some of the most common substances, though cats are, uh, widely varied in their preferences. 

Wait, wut?

Yup. I'm talking about the cats that love to lick and bite substances that aren't food, when they are not otherwise engaged in play.

I mean, all cats will chomp and bite toys (or what they think are toys) when they are playing, especially when the play is a "hunt and pounce" kinda thing. That's not what I mean. I mean cats who mouth specific not-food things when they are not playing, and are otherwise relaxed.

In the cat behaviorist/veterinarian biz, we refer to this behavior as being "pica." However, true pica involves actual ingestion of these kinds of materials. But, the licking and chewing that seems so bizarre — while yet, so common — still falls under the pica umbrella. 

If your cat likes to lick and chew your wool socks or blanket, lick the cellophane packaging of, say, a new roll of paper towels, or suckle the ear of your childhood stuffed rabbit or the shoelaces of your work boots — your cat is engaging in pica behaviors.

Now, many cats indulge in pica behaviors, but just as many do not. So, if you have zero idea what I'm talking about, your cat is just fine (while those of us with compulsive plastic-lickers or blanket-chewers also have cats who are, also, probably, just fine).

And, know: if your cat does not engage in this kind of stuff doesn't mean they never will. Some cats engage in this kind of behavior their whole lives. Others do it for a while, then, inexplicably, stop. Some don't, then start at some random point in time. (And, again, some never, ever do it, ever, and never start).

Why?

There are some breeds who are, apparently, predisposed towards pica licking and chewing. It appears that as Siamese, Burmese, and Tonkinese cats have a higher chance of indulging in this, but, really, any cat, any breed, any age can participate. The short answer is that we don't really know why, we don't really know which cats will and won't, and we can only speculate as to what they get from the experience. 

There are a lot of theories, and all seem plausible, because most of them have to do with it being a means of self-soothing (kinda like when we bite our nails or bounce our legs). It seems to be a common behavior among cats who were not fully weaned and formerly feral cats (though there are also studies that refute this is actually true).

There's an interesting theory that indoor cats engage in pica as a way to instinctually replace some of the dirt, bark, rocks, and whatever else they would have been in mouth-contact with, if they were outdoor cats. It's possible, but again, no irrefutable proof that this is why. As a human with a plastic-licker (my dear old man, Paul, looooves licking the outside of toilet paper packages, so much), the self-soothing theories seem more likely. 

Is it bad? Should I do something about this?

Well. Maybe. If your cat is actually EATING, as in swallowing, non-food objects, then, yeah. This is not great. They need some medical attention. They may have a dietary deficiency or have an underlying medical condition (diabetes, leukemia) that is causing them to actually eat things they shouldn't be. Consuming inedible objects can cause blockage anywhere along their digestive system. In this case, BAD. No. Get assistance.

If your cat seems compulsive about licking/chewing -- as in they get really, really upset when the object is taken from them -- they should also be seen by a vet. If you can't easily redirect their attention by offering actual food or a treat, a toy or some pets, they may be developing a compulsive disorder (treatable, and when treated, makes for a way happier cat).

If your cat's pica behaviors seem to have started or intensified alongside a set of big life changes, such as a new cat coming to live with y'all, a move to a new place, an injury or a recent physical altercation, it may be a serious stress response. If it doesn't subside when things calm down, consult your vet.

And, OF COURSE, if your cat is licking or chewing anything that is poisonous to even lick or chew (many houseplants, interior paint, and so on), then it needs to stop asap. Remove all the preferred-but-deadly objects from your cat's reach right now. A vet or a cat behaviorist can help you make a plan to help manage the ensuing stress.

But, ultimately, if your weird little pal is not eating the object, if the object isn't made of literal poison, if they can be (at least temporarily) redirected to do something else without too much kerfuffle, and if things have been quiet and otherwise stress-free, then it probably is not a problem. Do pay attention if any of these change, however. You are the best judge if something that has otherwise been harmless has gotten bad-weird…as opposed to just, yanno, normal-weird cat business.

Thanks for reading, as always. If you like the Clowder Room, will you share it with another cat loving friend? 

Note: I'm not a medical professional. As always, you know your cat best. Follow your common sense and consult with your veterinarian. If you need low-cost veterinary services, the Humane Society has some options, but you can always call 211 for your area (in the US) to find out about clinics near you.

See you next time,

Clowder, etc.