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==Pica & Wool-Sucking==  

==Pica & 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 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'.

Some reports indicate that chewing or sucking of woolly items is most common 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 onto adult 'compulsion'.

If the behaviour persists beyond the gas of 6 months, then it may be considered abnormal. 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 sucking or chewing the items that it currently favours. Wool is often the first target with progression from that to cotton and and other fabrics over time. Cats may also start to suck and chew leather, cardboard and other items.

If the behaviour persists beyond the age of 6 months, then it may be considered abnormal. 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 sucking or chewing the items that it currently favours. Wool is often the first target with progression from that to cotton and and other fabrics over time. Cats may also start to suck and chew leather, cardboard and other items.

The behaviour is usually restricted to chewing or mouthing the material, but i some cases can involve ingestion. The risk this presents depends upon the type of material being swallowed. Unlike dogs, cats do not deliberately swallow items to carry them between locations, and they 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 is usually restricted to chewing or mouthing the material, but in some cases can involve ingestion. The risk this presents depends upon the type of material being swallowed. Unlike dogs, cats do not deliberately swallow items to carry them between locations, and they 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.

==Investigation==

==Investigation==

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

Young cats that wool-suck before the age of 6 months will probably stop spontaneously, but should be provided with an enriched environment and access only to safe objects to chew. Food that is chewy may also help to redirect the behaviour. Hide-based dog chews are too hard for cats, and have little flavour, but they can be softened by soaking in warm water. It can also be flavoured to make it appealing, for example with a few drops of fish sauce added to the water used to soften it. The pieces must be sufficiently large that they cannot be swallowed whole. Other alternatives include dental hygiene dried cat food, which comes in large pieces, or meat jerky sold for human consumption.

Young cats that wool-suck before the age of 6 months will probably stop spontaneously, but should be provided with an enriched environment and access only to safe objects to chew. Food that is chewy may also help to redirect the behaviour. Hide-based dog chews are too hard for cats, and have little flavour, but they can be softened by soaking in warm water. They can also be flavoured to make them more appealing, for example with a few drops of fish sauce added to the water used to soften the chew. The pieces must be sufficiently large so that they cannot be swallowed whole. Other alternatives include dental hygiene dried cat food, which comes in large pieces, or meat jerky sold for human consumption.

The same diversionary tactic can be tried with adult-onset cases of pica and the texture of the chewing substitute should be matched to the cat’s existing preferences. These cats should also be provided with general environmental enrichment and any specific underlying environmental or social stressors should be dealt with. Psychoactive medication may be used. Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SRI) and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) drugs can produce significant improvement in both juvenile post-weaning and adult-onset cases of pica. [[Clomipramine]] should be given at low-end initial dose, rising to a higher dose if there is insufficient response after 4-6 weeks.

The same diversionary tactic can be tried with adult-onset cases of pica and the texture of the chewing substitute should be matched to the cat’s existing preferences. These cats should also be provided with general environmental enrichment and any specific underlying environmental or social stressors should be dealt with. Psychoactive medication may be used. Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SRI) and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) drugs can produce significant improvement in both juvenile post-weaning and adult-onset cases of pica. [[Clomipramine]] should be given at low-end initial dose, rising to a higher dose if there is insufficient response after 4-6 weeks.

*Investigate and treat underlying social or environmental maintaining factors.

*Investigate and treat underlying social or environmental maintaining factors.

*Provide environmental enrichment to use up the cat’s time and activity budget: activity feeding, play, increased access to height, and a range of additional toys and feeding sites.

*Provide environmental enrichment to use up the cat’s time and activity budget: activity feeding, play, increased access to height, and a range of additional toys and feeding sites.

*Provide substitute to chew and consider feeding a chewy dental diet.

*Provide substitutes to chew and consider feeding a chewy dental diet.

*Psychoactive medication; [[Clomipramine]] or [[Fluoxetine]] are first choices.

*Psychoactive medication; [[Clomipramine]] or [[Fluoxetine]] are first choices.

'''Cats with pica represent a serious risk to themselves, as ingested material may cause gastrointestinal obstruction'''. Withdrawal of successful therapy may cause further potentially life-threatening bouts of pica, so the aim is to maintain a stable and low-stress environment compatible with producing the minimum amount of abnormal behaviour. In some cases long-term medication may be needed.

'''Cats with pica represent a serious risk to themselves, as ingested material may cause gastrointestinal obstruction'''. Withdrawal of successful therapy may cause further potentially life-threatening bouts of pica, so the aim is to maintain a stable and low-stress environment compatible with producing the minimum amount of abnormal behaviour. In some cases long-term medication may be needed.

 

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{{Jon Bowen written

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[[Category:JBowen reviewed]]

[[Category:JBowen reviewed]]

[[Category:To Do - Behaviour References]]

[[Category:To Do - Behaviour References]]

[[Category:Feline Compulsive Disorders]]

[[Category:Feline Compulsive Disorders]]