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→Pica (Including Wool-Sucking)
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==Pica (Including Wool-Sucking)==
==Wool-Sucking)==
Some reports indicate that chewing or sucking of woolly items is commonest in early-weaned oriental breed cats, that continue to display suckling behaviour but transfer it to clothing and bedding. Typically the first sign is that the cat chews the owner’s clothes whilst being held. These cats usually stop ‘wool-sucking’ before the age of 6 months The precise reason for this delay in weaning from oral suckling behaviour is not understood but such juvenile behaviour is not considered to be compulsive and does not necessarily lead into adult 'compulsion'.
Some reports indicate that chewing or sucking of woolly items is commonest in early-weaned oriental breed cats, that continue to display suckling behaviour but transfer it to clothing and bedding. Typically the cat sucks on and chews the owner’s clothes whilst being held. Cats usually stop ‘wool-sucking’ before the age of 6 months. The precise reason for this delay in weaning from oral suckling behaviour is not understood but such juvenile behaviour is not considered to be compulsive and does not necessarily lead into adult 'compulsion'.
'''Genuinely compulsive pica in adult cats usually begins at maturity''' and can involve various different materials including fabric, wool, rubber and cardboard. Usually the cats show a specific preference for a material but this may generalise or change over time especially if the owner attempts to stop the cat from chewing the items that it currently favours. Wool is often the first target with progression from that to cotton and synthetics over time.
'''Genuinely compulsive pica in adult cats usually begins at maturity''' and can involve various different materials including fabric, wool, rubber and cardboard. Usually the cats show a specific preference for a material but this may generalise or change over time especially if the owner attempts to stop the cat from chewing the items that it currently favours. Wool is often the first target with progression from that to cotton and synthetics over time.
The behaviour may be restricted to chewing or mouthing the material, but can involve ingestion. The risk this presents depends upon the type of material being swallowed. Cats do not swallow items to carry them between locations and are also less inclined to steal and retain objects as a means of gaining attention. However, cats with existing [[Feline Attachment Problems|attachment problems]], especially oriental breeds, may steal and chew objects to get attention.
The behaviour may be restricted to chewing or mouthing the material, but can involve ingestion. The risk this presents depends upon the type of material being swallowed. Cats do not swallow items to carry them between locations and are also less inclined to steal and retain objects as a means of gaining attention. However, cats with existing [[Feline Attachment Problems|attachment problems]], especially oriental breeds, may steal and chew objects to get attention.
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==