Some cats are culinary snobs, turning their noses up at anything that isn't gourmet canned food. At the opposite end of the spectrum, other cats, bizarrely enough, seem to have preferences for eating pretty much anything, even items that are not truly edible, from wool to plastic bags -- ugh.
Pica
Pica is a compulsive disorder in which a cat has a penchant for eating weird and often inedible things, whether yarn, rubber bands, cell phones, napkins, grass or anything else under the sun. When a kitty has pica, not only does she chew, suck and lick on unusual items, she often will swallow them, too. The obsessive condition is possibly a soothing and satisfying behavior for various reasons, including increased attention from people or surprisingly enough, pure flavor enjoyment! Some cats may even begin eating strange things out of sheer boredom.
Wool
According to the Feline Advisory Bureau, wool is a preference for many cats that have comparatively strange palates. The unconventional taste for wool is especially common in the Siamese cat breed, and may have a hereditary factor. Not only do cats sometimes munch on and eat wool, they also sometimes suck on it, too. If your living room sofa is home to a thick wool throw, you might want to reconsider its location -- yikes.
Electric Cords
Although "weird" depends on who you ask, an electric cord for dinner probably isn't too conventional. UC Davis' Veterinary Medicine school states that power cords are another common and unusual feline dining preference. Not only can this preference be destructive to your home, more importantly it can be very dangerous to your little one's health -- think electrocution. No thank you. If you catch your pet chewing on or otherwise attempting to eat a cord, get her checked out at the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Plastic Bags
The Feline Advisory Bureau also mentions plastic bags as a big one when it comes to unusual kitty food choices. If your cat is chewing and eating plastic bags, it could lead to very dangerous consequences, so be very careful. If plastic pieces get stuck in your little one's throat, it could block her breathing passageway. In this possibly perilous situation, seek emergency veterinarian attention without wasting even a second.
Help
The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine cites a possible link between weird eating and serious medical conditions in felines, such as feline leukemia. To make sure your fluff ball's eating situation is unrelated to a major health ailment, promptly take her to the vet for a physical examination.
If you're concerned about your cat's weird eating patterns and want them to stop, consider taking her to a qualified specialist with an expertise in pet behavioral patterns. To get reputable and safe recommendations, consult your veterinarian on this matter.
Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet, medication, or physical activity routines. This information is not a substitute for a vet’s opinion.