Kitty Korner


Her kitty’s addicted to plastic


Blog reader Liz has a problem–or, to be more precise, her kitty does. The cat is hooked on plastic. Whenever Liz’s boyfriend unwraps a package of cigarettes and happens to leave the plastic wrappings around, kitty is in ecstasy. Pounces on the crinkly stuff; licks it and sometimes even ingests it, throwing up little pieces later.

Poor addicted kitty can’t seem to leave plastic alone. Talk about substance abuse! Talk about a bad habit! And needless to say, Liz is worried. She wants to know what in the world is going on with her feline who fancies this odd non-edible even more than tasty food and traditional treats. Has the animal gone crazy?

Well, we pondered this problem. We talked with some experts in animal matters. We researched a bit online. Discovered that odd kitty cravings aren’t at all unusual. And, Liz, there are other cats out there that share your pet’s strange habit. We read about a feline that fancies plastic bags.Read about another that licks that emulsion stuff off photos.Thought about my own Missy who will try to eat the artificial fern in the living room if I don’t watch out. Considered my Tony who goes for those little stringy things that appear on well-used and wearing-out carpeted cat trees. Remembered a friend who had a cat that would go wild for wool. So, Liz, you aren’t the only feline owner with a crazy cat.

Why do cats decide to do this and drive us crazy?

Several online sources I found, including, alluded to the fact that some plastics are made of rendered animal fat, gelatin or petroleum- type substances that have great appeal. Others mentioned the attractive crinkle/rattle that cats, hunters by nature and keenly attuned to such noises, have a hard time resisting–and then things just escalate from there. In rare cases, attraction to the non-edible can come from having a disease called Pica, which can involve the ingesting of strange things like bamboo or wood.

Eagerness to eat unusual things also could occur because something essential is missing in the kitty’s diet. Maybe an important nutrient, say, and so the cat resorts to dining on an oddity. Therefore, if a feline insists on eating things that are bad for him/her, the first line of defense is to check with a medical professional in animal matters and see if anything physically is wrong. If, however, it’s a more simple matter of simply pouncing on the strange object and/or licking it rapturously, the best and easiest thing to do about it is to just not allow the object anywhere near the cat.

Of course, I realize that this is easier said than done. But since you don’t want to take chances with your precious kitty, Liz, and since plastic could result in swallowing/ suffocating issues, I guess the best solution is to advise the boyfriend that he must never, ever be careless about cigarette wrappers. And one more suggestion to help your kitty kick the habit: Buy some safe crinkle balls at the pet store. Made of cat-safe materials, they have a lovely sound when a feline bats them around. My cats are crazy about them. Perhaps your kitty will be, too. And in time your kitty may forget all about that potentially dangerous plastic.

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Rose Mary Budge Budge

Rose Mary Budge Budge

One Response

  1. Liz says:

    Thank you so much for investigating that my cat is not alone. Christmas time was driving everyone crazy. We couldn’t leave any presents and bows unattended because he would hide them and then munch on them at night.

    I will make sure to stop at the vet and have him get a through check up.

    Once again thank you for all your advice. This is the second time that you have assisted me with my cat [Twinkle] problem. The first advice you gave me worked like a miracle. He stopped peeing on everything. My boyfriends cat has also helped train Twinkle to use the kitty box and well we are all at peace, minus the plastic. But i know that we will get that solved.

    Once again thank you for your advice, and have a very blessed New Year.