If your cat has been eating cardboard, this post will show you likely reasons why and what you can do about them.
So, why does my cat eat cardboard? Likely reasons why your cat eats cardboard are that your cat has Pica, an issue with its diet or that your cat simply likes the taste and feeling on its mouth.
There are actually a number of possible reasons why your cat eats cardboard and it might be due to a combination of them. However, there are some things you can consider to help figure out the main cause and there are some things you can do about it.
Why does my cat eat cardboard?
Below are likely reasons why your cat eats cardboard and what would make each of them more likely.
Pica
Pica is a medical condition where cats start eating things they shouldn’t. If your cat has started eating cardboard suddenly, it has been eating other things that it shouldn’t and it has been behaving unusually in other ways too, it would be best to take your cat to the vet for a checkup.
Anxiety
The cause might also be that something has been causing your cat to get anxious and to behave unusually. This would be more likely if your cat tends to eat cardboard at a time when it is more likely to be anxious such as when there are loud noises inside or when you are leaving home.
An issue with its diet
The cause might also be that there is an issue with your cat’s diet. It could be the case that it has not been getting the right amount of calories or that it has not been getting the right nutrients in its diet. This would be more likely if it has started doing it since a change in its diet. In this case, it would help to ensure that your cat has been getting the right diet.
A mouth injury
Another possible cause is that your cat has been doing it to soothe a pain in its mouth. This would be more likely if your cat has been rubbing its mouth on the cardboard more than it has been eating it.
Nature
It could also be the case that your cat has been doing it due to naturally wanting to tear things like it would to potential prey. This would be more likely if your cat also rips up the cardboard.
It likes the taste
The cause is likely to be that your cat simply likes the taste. This would be more likely if your cat has not been behaving unusually in other ways.
Things to consider
Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main cause.
If your cat has always eaten cardboard
If your cat has not always eaten cardboard, it would help to consider if anything else changed when your cat first started doing it. If it started doing it suddenly, it could be due to things such as a change in its diet, something causing it to get anxious or that it started doing it for extra attention.
The timing of when your cat eats cardboard
It would also help to consider the timing of when your cat eats cardboard since the timing could have something to do with it. For example, if it tends to do it more when you are not home, the cause could be separation anxiety or hunger.
What to do about my cat eating cardboard?
Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.
Limit your cat’s access to cardboard
The easiest thing to do would be to limit your cat’s access to cardboard by keeping boxes and packaging out of its reach
Get help
If you are unsure of why your cat has been doing it, it has been eating cardboard excessively or it has been behaving unusually in other ways, the best option would be to take it to a vet. By doing so, you should be able to get expert advice tailored towards your particular cat and to rule out medical causes.
Ensure your cat is getting the right diet
As mentioned above, it could be due to an issue with its diet. It would help to ensure that it has been eating enough calories and that it has been getting the right nutrients in its diet.