Why Does My Cat Lick Plastic?
By gewcew23
@gewcew23 (8007)
United States
July 20, 2009 8:41am CST
The first time I noticed this I just assumed that there was something on the plastic, yet she still does it and on everything that is plastic except hard plastic. I really do mean anything, this morning she she licking on the plastic from the toilet paper. Sometimes she will search for plastic to lick on. Any idea why she does it?
2 people like this
7 responses
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
20 Jul 09
like shopping bag plastic?
yea,my cats do this too-i think it may be partly due to the noise it makes.
they go nuts over tomato wrapping in particular.
i always take it away from them.i'm afraid of them choking on it or swallowing it.
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
22 Jul 09
yup-one of mine always heads for the T.P. when it comes in.
we have to put it away right away or he's into it
@kevhol2259 (182)
• United States
22 Jul 09
yeah mostly shopping bags and trash bags. or the shrink wrap plastic around packs of toilet paper seem to be the most common
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63594)
• United States
21 Jul 09
well, the larger, white-eared cat in my avatar has that "Siamese" shape and he's one of the plastic lickers we have. Now, Scamp and Frankie also lick plastic, but at least they are more obviously Siamese (Frank's a chocolate point) and Scamp is a "black" Siamese - he's got the voice and every thing BUT the points... if you check my photos there's a picture of him...
1 person likes this
@allie4712 (130)
• United States
20 Jul 09
I use to have a cat that did that and I just assumed it feel good to them. I figured she just liked the smoothness of it. I never could get her to stop but I did have to start hiding the plastic around the house.
1 person likes this
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
20 Jul 09
One of my cats does the same thing and so does my daughter's. Mine licks the plastic from the toilet paper too! Maybe it's an epidemic!
1 person likes this
@Tiamjr (435)
•
20 Jul 09
One of my cats do this with plastic shopping bags. She actually started to chew them so I always have to be on my guard not to leave any type of plastic film or carrier bags lying around my house. I don't want her to digest any.
I have heard one reason cats do this is because the platic reflects light and the cat reacts to it by going up and licking/chewing the bag. Another explanation is that it a compulsive disorder some cats develop from a kitten when they would nurse of their mother. Either way it is believed that once the cat has become accustomed to this habit they get addicted to the sensation that licking plastic creates in their mouth.
@kevhol2259 (182)
• United States
20 Jul 09
I would actually like to know the reason for this also. My cat will lick the edges of the bag on the trash can in the bathroom, or any other kind of plastic bag he can find. I used to keep a 4 pack of toilet paper on the floor next to the toilet and he would chew on the plastic holding it all together. what is with it??
