Cat nibbling litter from tray

[Nostradamus231]

My 8 year old cat has suddently started nibbling litter from his litter box periodically. A form of "PICA" I believe is what it is called.

Not great huge quantities of litter granules (paper based and non-clumping variety) but should I be concerned that he is eating it at all I wonder? His diet has not changed in any shape or form and he otherwise appears perfectly fit, well and happy. His appetite for his usual food is normal. He rarely vomits indoors and/or rarely overeats either.

Maybe he's just bored and doing it for attention but a friend says maybe he is deficient in a mineral and I should ask vet to do a blood test to make sure all is o.k. in that respect. Would welcome other cat owner's comments on this point.

[mruffruff]

I think I would check with my vet on this. He might be trying to tell you he needs a check up.

I took my cat to the vet last Thursday because of 'inappropriate unination' (he sprayed my paper towels, washing machine and counter top), thinking UTI. The vet tested his urine and it was fine. Yesterday I noticed that his jaw was VERY swollen. Back to the vet. He was telling me he had a problem, but I was translating wrong. He had an abcess and was treated today.

[Catlady711]

If it was me, I'd definately make a trip to the vet for blood work and stool sample check.

I'm not sure with cats, but dogs can have a amino acid deficiency that shows up when owners notice them eating their own stools. ewww

Good luck

[lvpets2002]

Yes my RB Spenda did that.. She had alot of problems though & was at the Vets every weekend.. The Vet said that her state was due to Chemicle & Mineral Imbalance in her system.. I would go to the Vet with this baby..

[jennielynn1970]

I took my cat to the vet last Thursday because of 'inappropriate unination' (he sprayed my paper towels, washing machine and counter top), thinking UTI. The vet tested his urine and it was fine.

I almost wish mine would exhibit some sort of malady to let me know why they do this. They hit EVERYTHING. It's so frustrating. Countertops, stove, papers, dining room table, side table, walls and floor moulding. AND it's only the girls! I'm just so upset with them. I spend as much time as I can with them, I hardly have a social life to speak of and do nothing but be with them all on the weekends, and they still pee everywhere!!!! GRRRRR!

I've thought about the bringing the good foster cats down, and putting the bad personal cats upstairs in seclusion for a while, but I think they'd just pee all over up there, and then it would be doubly messy. I'm about to catheterize them, I swear!

[Nostradamus231]

Got this curious behavioured feline booked in at vet's for a check up prior to administering sedative for car travel of over 200 miles over Christmas period (past experience has taught us he is not at his best in the car over such distances). Will mention the other concern re. nibbling litter at the same time and see what the experts have to say then take it from there.

Thanks for your comments. I will let you know how we get on. Hopefully there is nothing too much to worry about.

[lvpets2002]

OMG you have to go over 200 miles for a Vet..?? My dear know wonder you need sedatives for your baby.. I & my girls both would need them.. Good Luck & let us know ok..

[Nostradamus231]

No, you've misunderstood me ........... our (lovely person as it happens) vet is just down the road (within walking distance of home actually) - the 200 mile plus trip each way comes after that - which is why we need the sedatives in the first place.

On previous trips my baby usually lasts a mere 10 mins. in the car until he "soils" by way of protest at been cooped up in his travel box - a little bit longer if one of us sits in the back with him (held on a leash & Harness) with the litter box between us (which he invariably uses repeatedly during the journey - often straining to "go" after the first couple of times) - and on one journey by car he even began hyperventilating on the back parcel shelf until we pulled over a let him have a "rest" - that's why we thought we might try to sedate him this time.

We don't feed him much before we set off by the way. Only a few little treats for the journey at regular intervals if he is "good" for us by way of reward. His main meal is reserved for the final destination.

[Nostradamus231]

Well ......... I've been to the vet re. this issue as suggested might be necessary.

Vet was of the opinion that the issue is "BHEAVIOURAL" rather than "MEDICAL" and, provided I am keeping an eye on kitty to ensure that the quantities of ingested litter are kept to a minimum, am using non-clumping variety of litter etc. she did not immediately see any problem though did agree that the behaviour was highly unusual.

She thought (as the litter was paper-based) that he simply "like the taste of paper" and suggested that I try to find a sand based substrate I could use instead which, being more granular in texture, would perhaps discourage him from trying to eat it.

As my local supermarket does not sell anything remotely fitting the description I am trying instead wood pellets mixed with some of the old litter and some granular salt normally used for the dishwater (all mixed together). I will keep you posted as to whether or not this makes any difference to kitty or whether it causes even more problems that it solves. I am hoping that if he eats either a wood pellett or granule of salt he will hate it so much he will spit it out and quickly move away never to try to eat it again. That's the theory anyway. May work, may not - we'll just have to wait and see. If this doesn't work I may try to get hold of some fine stones and/or sand for the litterbox and try that instead.

In the meantime the vet has given kitty a thorough physical check-over, tells me he's about the right weight for his breed/age etc., he is generally in tip-top condition, looks healthy, his teeth/gums are fine also and I therefore have nothing whatsoever of a medical nature to worry about with this cat.

On the question of blood and/or stool tests she advises that she needs to have him in for a day to take the blood so that he can be properly sedated and thus allow the blood to be taken from a vein without a struggle. I hve thus deferred this procedure for the time being until we see how it goes with the change of cat litter first. Once again I will keep you all posted.

Cheers and Merry Christmas everyone.