Is Your Cat Eating Litter? Check Out these 5 Simple Tips

Dec 23, 2022by Suzie Cyrenne

If we’re being honest, one of the things you’d never want to see as a cat parent is your feline family member eating his own poop. Besides making him prone to health risks like tummy upsets and parasites, it could also be a sign that your beloved pet is in need of immediate care and attention.

Still having a tricky time finding out how to stop your cat from eating litter? Then you’ve come to the right place. Apart from walking you through the possible reasons why cats eat poop, I’m also going to let you in on simple ways to correct this problem using natural means.

Let’s start the discussion by finding out if this behavior is normal among cats…

 

Is it normal for a cat to eat litter?

Small kitten in blue plastic cat litter

While this may sound surprising (and a bit yucky), all cats have the tendency to lick or taste their litter out of sheer curiosity. This usually happens when they are still very young and they’re just beginning to discover their inquisitive nature.

However, this phase usually goes away as a cat grows older and finds out more about his environment and the activities he could engage in, as well as having regular interaction with his human family members and other fur babies that may also be in the household.

It is important to keep in mind that this only becomes a problem when a cat develops the habit of tasting poop compulsively or acquires a liking for the taste and smell of the same. If not taken care of properly, it is also uncommon that a cat may develop a taste for the poop of other animals sooner or later.

Next, let’s find out if eating litter is the same as pica…

 

Is eating poop the same as “pica?”

cat playing with red string

The short answer is no. When a cat eats his litter on a regular basis, it is technically referred to as “coprophagia.” On the other hand, “pica” involves the consistent tasting and eventually the ingestion of non-food items such as pieces of plastic, rubber bands, wool, hair ties, cables, shoelaces, twigs, and even houseplants.

Now we’ve got that covered, let me walk you through the possible reasons why your feline family member is eating poop…

 

Possible reasons why your cat is eating litter

cat litter

If you notice your feline family member eating poop, chances are this behavior is set off by the following factors:

 

Lack of activity

cat playing with toy

While cats may be known as “low-maintenance” pets due to their sheer independence, they still need to be engaged in stimulating activity on a regular basis. Or else they will become restless and resort to unusual pastimes sooner or later for entertainment, which could include eating litter.

 

Just being nosy

cat lying on a white rug

Your feline family member is inherently inquisitive and may be tempted to sample a bit of his poop, especially when he still hasn’t reached four months of age. However, this behavior tends to disappear by itself as your cat becomes older.

 

A symptom of anemia

cat tore up papers on the floor

A cat suffering from anemia usually eats litter to “reabsorb” fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins that his body unintentionally discharges due to this health issue. One way to confirm this is to check your pet’s gums. If they have a bluish or whitish shade, it’s highly likely that your cat has anemia.

For this part of our discussion, let’s go through the ways to get your cat to stop eating litter…

 

How do I get my cat to stop eating poop?

Here are the strategies you can use to deter your feline family member from this distasteful habit:

 

Tip #1: Go for a much more diverse diet plan

 Cat eating natural food from a bowl

Nutritional deficiency is one of the possible reasons why your cat is eating litter. I highly recommend changing up his diet for the better. Besides integrating feline-safe fruits and vegetables with his regular meals, you can also pull this off by going for more nourishing cat food options.

 

Tip #2: Serve meals at set times

 cat eating on a metal bowl

Interestingly, your cat is very much into routine and he expects to be fed at a consistent schedule. And if this isn’t the case, chances are he will become impatient to the point of being anxious sooner or later, which is a key trigger of poop eating.

 

Tip #3: Have a regular schedule for playtime and bonding

 cat playing with the young girl

Keeping your feline family member busy with games and similar stimulating activities can help get his mind off this rather disgusting quirk. One no-fuss activity I can suggest is tying a feather or a piece of colored paper on a string and dragging it on the floor. This will activate your kitty’s natural stalking and hunting instincts in no time.

 

Tip #4: Check his poop for worms

cat sitting on litter box

Although this isn’t really a tip for keeping litter eating at bay, taking time to examine your cat’s poop for worms is also very important. The presence of these unwanted visitors means you should get rid of them as soon as possible. Click here to find out how to do this naturally.

 

Tip #5: Correct not scold

Owner scolding her cat for dropped vase

Sure seeing your feline family member sampling his own poop can be rather bothersome and irritating, but scolding him is a big no-no if you’re looking to resolve this problem. This is because doing so will only make him feel more anxious, which just prolongs the issue. On the other hand, correcting him in a more positive way works wonders.

As a bonus tip, I’d just like to share my favorite natural product that’s designed to help keep your cat as calm and relaxed as can be…

 

Does your cat have anxiety issues that set off poop eating? This natural product can help

CALMPET is a homeopathic blend that helps maintain your pet’s nervous system balance and improve his social behavior. This product’s various natural homeopathic ingredients work in synergy to promote an overall sense of serene well-being.

CALMPET works in cases of tremors, fear, nervousness, hypersensitivity to noises, apprehension, as well as other indications of anxiety and restlessness that can lead to odd behaviors such as litter eating.

 

Conclusion

Stopping your cat from eating poop can be a bit tricky, but it sure isn’t impossible with the tips that I’ve just shared. And if you’re looking to find out more about how homeopathy can help keep your pet as healthy and happy as can be, make sure you contact us as soon as possible.

When your pet is going through some health issue, reaching out to a trained professional remains a priority. That’s why we offer you to contact us easily at any time.

 

 


About the author

Suzie Cyrenne
Suzie Cyrenne

HOMEOPATH & CO-FOUNDER OF ZUMALKA

Suzie Cyrenne has dedicated more than 20 years of her life in making and improving natural animal health solutions in the global setting.

Being the co-founder of Zumalka, Suzie is a forerunner in enhancing the lives of pets through natural and homeopathic options using the knowledge she has gained from the Classical Homeopathy School in Quebec.

Through the guidance of her mother-in-law and fellow natural health expert, Denyse Lessard, Suzie constantly devotes herself to create premium pet products that are aimed at dealing with the root causes of wellness problems and not just their symptoms.

Besides immersing herself in books, personal development and visiting new places, Suzie also enjoys keeping herself in tiptop shape by snowboarding and taking daily hikes with her husband and Zumalka co-founder, Matt Lessard, and their Golden-Doodle, Westin.

Find out more about Suzie when you click HERE.


Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.


Seeking a Natural Solution for Your Pet's Health?

We are here to listen and guide you. We're dedicated to supporting your pet's well-being naturally. Contact us to explore how we can help together!