Cats Eating Dirt - Signs of Pica in Cats

Although we may tolerate some seemingly odd behavior in our pets, cats eating dirt is not one of them. It is not normal, it is not acceptable and, importantly, it is not harmless. This anomalous behavior indicates that their well-being is compromised. Furthermore, if we do not act quickly, it can lead to serious health problems.

By eating dirt, your cat might also be ingesting excrement, toxic substances, bacteria, parasites and any other nasty material which shouldn't be eaten. This means the dirt can become a means of contagion for many of the common diseases in cats. This is particularly the case if you see cats eating litter from their litter box. Eating the material onto which cats urinate and defecate can be very dangerous.

In addition to bacteria and other infectious materials, the consumption of foreign bodies can cause physical problems. Indigestible material can irritate and inflame the gastrointestinal system, particularly the intestinal lining. The resulting inflammation is known as enteritis, although stomach inflammation (gastritis) can also occur. If inflammation occurs, it can lead to severe blockages which are life-threatening. If there are sharp objects such as stones in the dirt, intestinal perforation can occur. Internal hemorrhages can be fatal.

Why do cats eat dirt? What reason could lead to them eating litter? There is no single reason for this behavior in cats. To identify the reasons for your cat eating dirt, we need to look at the greater context. Pay special attention to any changes in their routine, nutrition, health or day-to-day behavior.

Considering all the possible risks of your cat ingesting dirt, we recommend you take them to the veterinarian. If they are carrying out odd behavior, there may be various factors involved. Only a qualified vet will be able to determine an accurate diagnosis. Below we detail some of the causes which may lead to such a diagnosis. If you know what your cat has eaten, tell the vet how much and when; this can help them assess the risk. Do not try to make your cat vomit unless a veterinarian tells you to.

While there are many reasons behind the behavior of cats eating dirt, there are some main factors we can look at. Here are the five main reasons why a cat eats dirt to help us answer our questions:

1. Pica Syndrome: this health problem is characterized by the ingestion of inedible material with no nutritional value. Although it does occur, it is more common in dogs than cats. The cat may begin to consume material such as plastic, wood, stones or, in this case, dirt. Pica may involve one type of material or several, and repeated ingestion can increase the risk of injury or blockage.
2. Stress, boredom or anxiety: cats need to have their body and mind well stimulated to maintain balanced behavior. If your cat does not have an enriched environment, does not do enough exercise or have ways to express their intelligence and curiosity, they will likely develop stress or boredom. The habit of eating dirt may be a behavioral change which indicates the accumulation of stress and/or anxiety. Changes in the home, daily routine or access to quiet resting places can be worth noting, as these may help a vet understand what is affecting your cat.
3. Demand for attention: although cats are often characterized as being aloof or even solitary, they are more sociable than they are given credit for. They develop a strong bond with their guardians and company is essential for a happy and healthy life. If you have recently been very busy, you may not have been able to dedicate enough time to play and bond. If your cat wants your attention, they may engage in abnormal behavior, eating dirt being one of them. Try to respond with calm interaction and play rather than scolding, which may add to their stress.
4. Intestinal parasites: it has been demonstrated that certain animals in the wild consume grass and other foods to purge themselves of an intestinal parasite infestation. This is one of the reasons it is essential we visit the vet to rule out this cause. However, eating dirt does not confirm that parasites are present, so testing and veterinary assessment are needed.
5. Kittens eating dirt: lastly, it is important to point out why kittens eat dirt. As they are starting to discover their environment, they may test the water by trying to eat certain objects such as dirt. However, they should learn fairly quickly this does them no good. If you see a kitten eating dirt, it can be particularly worrying thanks to their vulnerable state. Keep them supervised and remove access to dirt or small objects they might swallow.

Many tutors will be unable to spend all day with their cat. For this reason, the cat may be eating dirt without us noticing. One of the most common signs is that, since the dirt is indigestible, it appears in the cat's feces. If the cat is eating litter, then we need to be careful to notice the difference between litter which is in the box and that which has been digested.

In cases where the cat is suffering from pica (the chronic ingestion of inedible material), then we need to look out for certain symptoms. In cases where cats ingest a large amount of dirt, earth, stones or other foreign bodies, they may present the following symptoms:

• Recurrent gagging and vomiting.
• Constipation or difficulty defecating (the accumulation of dirt, sand or stones can generate an obstruction in the intestinal tract, preventing the feline from defecating normally).
• Presence of blood in the stool (may result from obstruction or the consumption of stones and sharp objects).
• Symptoms common to gastritis in cats, such as vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, diarrhea, dehydration, lethargy, excessive drooling, etc.
• Weakness and lack of interest in their daily activities.

If your cat is vomiting repeatedly, seems painful or weak, cannot pass stool, or has blood in its feces, contact a veterinarian promptly. These signs can indicate a blockage or injury, and waiting for them to resolve on their own may be dangerous.

While we have detailed some common causes of cats eating dirt, we want to highlight pica as a particularly dangerous issue. Pica is a disorder which can also be found in humans. It often leads to similar serious problems as the inedible material becomes lodged in the gastrointestinal tract. With humans, however, we can discuss with patients the reasons behind this behavior. It is often something which is linked closely with mental health issues.

For cats, determining mental health problems is even more difficult. There have been observations of dogs eating non-nutritive objects linked to being crated for too long^[1]. However, there is little similar medical evidence to support the same conclusions in cats. We may presume that stress behaviors might be at fault, but a report from 2015 reports that “the ingestion of inedible items... does not seem to be the consequence of a suboptimal environment or early weaning”^[2]. This does not mean that a suboptimal environment or being taken away from their mother too early do not cause problems; it is just unclear whether pica is one of them.

It has been posited that nutritional deficiencies may be linked to pica in cats. The publication Emergency Procedures for the Small Animal Veterinarian claims that pica in cats may be related to immune-mediated hemolytic anemia^[3]. This iron deficiency may help explain why a cat might eat metal objects or even lick the ground. They may be trying to find minerals of which they are lacking. However, the behavior alone cannot tell us whether a nutritional deficiency is present, so a vet should assess the cat before any supplements or diet changes are made.

Genetics may also play a part in this behavior. ‘Oriental’ breeds such as the Siamese cat are known to engage in this practice more than others. The most common material ingested by cats in a study from 1997 was wool^[4]. Unfortunately there is little consensus as to the exact cause of pica in cats. What is generally agreed upon is that it is dangerous behavior and should be stopped. A veterinary assessment can help distinguish pica from a one-off exploration or from behavior linked to another health problem.

As we state, cats eating dirt is not good for them as an organism. It is important to consider that this behavior might also be linked to a secondary disease, illness or behavioral issue. Lack of appropriate nutrition is one such issue which can manifest itself in various ways. This is why choosing alternative diets such as the BARF diet needs to be done carefully and under a veterinarian's supervision.

We also stress how important it is to take your cat to the vet if you have evidence they are eating dirt routinely. After ruling out possible pathological causes, it will be important to pay special attention to the cat's diet, environment and routine to treat and prevent this type of behavior. In this regard, we provide you with some basic guidelines to prevent your cat from eating dirt or any other foreign bodies which can cause them harm:

• Diet: you must provide a complete and balanced diet which meets all of the cat's nutritional needs. This diet also needs to be adapted to the individual and the various factors which affect their dietary requirements. These include the cat's age, health status and other factors. You may be able to provide the cat with homemade food, but you need to ensure it is nutritionally correct. Ask your vet before making major changes, and introduce any new food gradually.
• Well-being: it is fundamental for a cat's mental well-being for them to live in an enriched environment so the cat has positive ways to release energy, stimulate their mind and have fun. This is especially so when you are not at home. Provide places to climb, scratch and rest, as well as safe toys that can be rotated to keep their environment interesting.
• Games and socialization: it is essential to reserve time each day to interact with your cat. The best thing you can do is to play intelligence games and engage in fun activities. Simply spending time and petting them is also important to keep them happy and strengthen your bond together. Short, regular play sessions can fit into a busy routine and give your cat a predictable way to use their energy.
• Hygiene: maintaining optimal hygiene is also very important in reducing behaviors such as eating dirt. If the dirt eating is indeed related to a parasitical infestation, then keeping them clean will best avoid this happening in the first place. Cats are also very clean animals, so any lack of hygiene can cause them a great deal of stress. Keep the litter box clean and prevent access to potting soil, contaminated outdoor areas or other materials your cat may try to eat.
• Preventive medicine: we also need to do all we can to reduce the risk of certain diseases. Closely follow the cat's vaccination and deworming schedules to maintain good health. Similarly, a vet visit every 6 to 12 months is the best way to highlight possible issues and deal with them in a prompt manner. If the behavior begins suddenly or continues despite changes at home, mention it at the appointment rather than waiting for the next routine visit.

If you want to read similar articles to Cats Eating Dirt - Signs of Pica in Cats, we recommend you visit our Behavioral problems category.