Why does my cat eat everything?
This cat blog will answer the main question, “Why does my cat eat everything?” we will also cover the reasons why cats eat everything, how to cope with this problem, and how you can prevent such problems from happening again.
Why does my cat eat everything?
Your cat eats everything because of the following reasons:
- Worms
- Viral diseases
- Psychological problems
- Genetic predisposition
The cat eating everything is called pica and it can be a very severe condition in cats. These are the major causes of pica. There are other causes too but they are not very common in cats.
What are the main causes of cats eating everything?
Following are the major causes of cats eating everything:
Worms
The first cause is worms. Worms limit the absorption of nutrients across the wall of the intestine into the bloodstream. This leads to increased hunger in your cat. The cat will eat everything to satisfy the needs of the body. Following are the major clinical signs of worm infestation in your cat:
- Eating mud, paper, and other non-food items.
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Rough hair coat
Viral diseases
There are several diseases that can affect the appetite of your cat. The few viral diseases are:
- Feline leukemia virus
- Feline calicivirus
- Feline immunodeficiency virus
You can diagnose these conditions by going to the vet. Your vet will perform some tests to diagnose these problems in your cat.
Psychological problems
There are many psychological problems in your cat. The first one is boredom which is the major one and the most common one among all. When boredom hits the cat they try to escape from it by doing unusual things like eating everything such as furniture, mud, and paper in the house.
The next problem is anxiety in your cat. Anxiety can be a big problem if not handled in time. You need to look for the signs of anxiety in your cat:
- Restlessness
- Shivering
- Seizures like patterns in the body during an episode.
- Unable to breath
Genetic predisposition
The pica may be due to genetic causes in your cat. Some cats are born with this trait. You need to accept this if your cat is born with such a trait.
Hyperthyroidism
The next problem is hyperthyroidism in your cat. This problem is very severe and it takes time to treat such a condition in your cat. It is due to the overactivity of thyroid glands located in the neck region.
If they are swollen you can feel them on both sides of the trachea and have two lobes. It can also affect the reproductive performance of your cat. Your cat will eat everything to overcome the activity of the thyroid gland in the body.
How to cope with such a problem in your cat?
The first thing is to identify the cause of the problem in your cat. After that, you need to consult your vet. If the cause is medical your vet will treat your cat according to the confirmed diagnosis.
If the cause of the problem is genetic then there is no treatment for the genetic cause. You have to accept it as your cat is if the cause is genetic.
If the cause of the problem is behavioral you can train your cat. You can follow positive reinforcement training techniques in your cat. Additionally, you can allow some activity in the house like playing with the toys and watching the birds chirping. This will create a positive environment in the house and this will reduce the stress on the cat.
How can you prevent such a condition from happening again?
You need to visit your vet off and on to get your cat checked by him. The routine check-up will tell you about the health status of your cat. The other thing you can do is to check the feces of your cat, this will help you to identify the problem before it gets worse.
How can you differentiate this condition from rabies in your cat?
Rabies is a zoonotic disease and is caused by a virus. It is a deadly disease in your cat and has no known cure. It has a 100% mortality rate in humans. Following are the major clinical signs of rabies in your cat:
- Excessive salivation
- Aggressiveness
- Loss of appetite
- Paralysis of jaw
- Biting and scratching everywhere
You should look for these signs in your cat. You have to vaccinate your cat against rabies in your nearest vet clinic.
Conclusion
In this cat article, we answered the major question, “Why does my cat eat everything?” we also covered the reasons why cats eat everything, how to cope with this problem, and how you can prevent such a problem from happening again.
