If your cat has been licking plastic a lot, this post will show you likely reasons why and what you can do about them.
So, why does my cat lick plastic? Likely reasons why your cat licks plastic are that your cat is thirsty, your cat likes the feeling, compulsive behavior or illness.
There are a variety of possible reasons why your cat licks plastic 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 them.
Why does my cat lick plastic?
Below are likely causes and what would make each of them more likely.
Thirst
One reason why your cat has been licking plastic could be that your cat is thirsty and your cat is licking plastic for some of the moisture on it. This would be more likely if your cat has been doing it more when it does not have access to water and if your cat has been licking plastic that has some moisture on. In this case, it would help to make sure that your cat does have access to water whenever it might need it.
Liking the feeling
It could also be the case that your cat simply likes the way plastic feels on its tongue. This would be more likely if your cat has not been doing it excessively and if it also tends to do it at the same time that it is licking itself.
Compulsive behavior
It might also be the case that your cat has been doing it due to a compulsive disorder. This would be more likely if your cat has been licking the plastic constantly. In this case, the best option would be to take it to a vet for a checkup.
Illness
Another possible cause is that your cat has an illness and it is licking plastic as a way of soothing its tongue and stomach. This would be more likely if your cat has started doing it suddenly and if it has been showing other signs of having an illness such as vomiting a lot. In this case, the best option would be to take your cat to a vet.
Things to consider
Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main cause.
If your cat has always licked plastic
If your cat did not always lick plastic, it would help to consider what else happened when your cat first started doing it. If it started doing it suddenly, it might be due to things such as illness, losing access to water or something causing it to start being anxious.
If there is a certain time your cat licks plastic
If there is a certain time that your cat tends to lick plastic, it would also help to consider what is different about the timing. For example, if your cat tends to do it when it is licking itself, it would be more likely that your cat likes the feeling of the plastic on its tongue and because your cat naturally wants to lick things when it is grooming itself.
What to do about my cat licking plastic?
Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main cause.
Give your cat access to water
If your cat does not currently have access to water, at around the same time that it normally licks plastic, it would help to make sure that your cat gets access to water.
Ensure your cat is getting the right diet
It would also help to make sure that your cat has been getting the right diet since an issue with its diet might have been contributing to the behavior.
Get help
If your cat has been doing it excessively, it would help to take your cat to a vet for a checkup. By doing so, you should be able to get expert advice tailored towards your particular cat and to rule out medical causes.