She likes to lick plastic

Hi, my calico cat, Julie, loves to lick plastic items, like shopping bags, plastic furniture, etc. I try to keep these items away from her because I am afraid she might pick up some dirt or bad chemical, or in the case of a bag, I am afraid that she will peel off and inhale a piece of plastic that could choke her.

Does anyone else's cat do this? Thanks!

1st off ... Welcome to Pet Talk... I think you'll like it here, they are a fun bunch! My Mocha Bean (a Meezer) lies to try and bite packages of TP (toilet paper) only. I don't let her... Don't know why she does it, she IS a weird one.:)

HI fairlady68,
None of my cats has a thing about licking plactic - but any plastic bags left lying around get a - err - spray (!) off Dan - he obviously thinks if it's in the house it belongs to him!!:D
Bagel however like nothing more than sitting on a piece of paper (newspaper, writing paper whatever!!!) and SHREDDING IT to minute pieces - this is quite funny to watch too.:D

Lynne

Welcome to Pet Talk! :)

Our cats LOVE plastic of any kind. I really think its the sound and feel of it that attracts them.

I would worry about them licking it, unless they are plastic bags, they could suffocate. Our furballs LOVE playing in plastic bags, but only get to when we are keeping a close eye on them.

If you go here, you'll see a few pictures of cats playing with plastic bags... http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthre...&threadid=7985

My kitty does the same thing. When i come from shopping as soon as i put the plastic or paper bags down, he starts playing with them. If they are empty he goes inside them, bites them and even carries them. I have never thought this could be a problem. I always let him do it because it's like a plaything for him.

My Weezie does it too!

Someone (4FelineHouse, maybe) said that they use lard to soften the bags during manufacturing, and that the cats can still smell it.

They may be tasting an odor from these products. Some plastics manufacturers use fish oils to process their bags. They may also enjoy the texture on their tongue.