My kitten is almost 1 year. She was a stray and got her at about two
months. She eats cotton. Shirts, shoe laces, wash clothes. We keep
everything out of sight at this point but this is a difficult problem and I
wonder if she has any diet issues that would cause her to like to eat
fabric. Also, she loves lettuce and demands it each morning and evening. I
just thought you’d want to know that.
Anyway, I’m concerned with this and wonder if you would know how to treat
this.
Sincerely,
Kathy
This habit was first seen in Siamese and was named “wool-sucking”, but many non-Siamese do it, too, and it is frequently not wool. It is uncertain why they do this but one theory is that it stimulates nerve receptors in the lips that cause release of endorphins and cause a “feel-good” sensation similar to nursing. Unfortunately it can ruin fabrics and risk ingestion of foreign materials that can require surgery. One treatment that is often successful is to put the cat on amitriptyline. It seems that it makes them feel good anyway so there is no special thrill in sucking and they then stop doing it. Ask your veterinarian about it!
Melinda R. Burgwardt, DVM
Melinda R. Burgwardt, DVM
Lancaster, NY
1. Have her checked for anemia and retroviruses.
2. Add fiber to her diet (Vetasyl)
3. Grow fescue for her to eat.
Phillip McHugh, DVM
Park Veterinary Hospital
Durham, NC