The Cat Bible Q&A
Tracie welcomes any and all questions about cats AND dogs on both her live radio shows. Call in to DOG TALK on Saturdays from 11-Noon (EST) to 800-394-8830 or Wednesdays 8-9 PM (EST) to CAT CHAT 866-675-6675. (You don't need to have Sirius to call in!)
Pica in Cats
We have a two-year-old female cat who, whenever she's let outside for some fresh air, starts licking the cement. We don't know if this could mean there is some type of vitamin or mineral she might be lacking. She is very small; she weighs about 5 1/2 pounds. She also scratches herself a lot, and has been treated for dermatitis from the scratching. Any help in this would be great.
From: Georgette, via the Internet
Dear Georgette,
Thanks for writing. This is a curious problem, for sure. I've consulted with Sally Bahner ("Dear Sally"), the CAT CHAT behavior consultant, to make sure I had an appropriate answer.
A few questions need to be answered before a diagnosis and solution can be found, and the facts that the cat is also scratching herself (is this being addressed by some kind of flea control program?) and has dermatitis (what's causing the dermatitis?) suggest a possible nutritional deficit.
What your cat is exhibiting is called "pica" -- the act of eating (or chewing or sucking on) non-food items. Some cats like to lick plastic bags, or photos. Siamese cats are prone to chewing wool. So let me ask you:
1) What are you feeding the cat?
2) Are you leaving her outside to lick the cement unsupervised?
3) Did this behavior just start?
4) Is there anything going on to cause the cat to be stressed?
Let me know more specifically what's going on, and we'll try to narrow it down.
Tracie Hotchner
The information contained in the answers posted on this board comes from THE CAT BIBLE: Everything Your Cat Expects You To Know, and from CAT CHAT™ The Radio Show, broadcasting live on Martha Stewart Living Radio, Channel 112 on Sirius Satellite Radio, every Wednesday from 8-9 p.m. EST.
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DISCLAIMER: Please be aware that the advice I give on the air or in emails – or those you see posted here – are not intended to take the place of a veterinarian's advice or expertise. I say this to protect myself from being misunderstood or from your over-reliance on my advice in situations where your pet may be seriously ill and you would mistakenly delay seeking medical intervention. While I am confident in the research-based facts and common-sense advice I can offer, it is never meant to be used at the exclusion of trained, accredited and board certified professionals. But I also have this disclaimer to protect your dog – because what you learn from me is not intended to take the place of medical care or professional evaluation – on the contrary, my desire is to equip you with information that will allow you to enjoy your pets to the fullest, and also to encourage you to seek professional medical attention whenever there are physical symptoms or an overall change in your pet's attitude.
Tracie welcomes any and all questions about cats AND dogs on both her live radio shows. Call in to DOG TALK on Saturdays from 11-Noon (EST) to 800-394-8830 or Wednesdays 8-9 PM (EST) to CAT CHAT 866-675-6675. (You don't need to have Sirius to call in!)
