Why does my cat like to lick rocks and plaster?

My cat loves to lick rocks that I have from lake Michigan so he will just walk up to my bin of them and starts liking them do you know why? He also loves to lick the plaster figures that you can paint. Like the white ones you can by at mickles and other craft places. Do know why he likes to lick those things? I don't want him to be sick and suffering. He us already 17 in human years. (84 cat years) pleas give me answers it has been going on for a while and I want him to get better.

Hello @smooshiebunnie.

I think your 17 year old cat might be anemic.

Are you able to take him in to your Vet, and have a blood test done. That way you would know for sure, and the Vet would advise you on what to do next.

There are different reasons that may cause anemia.

(In my rainbow cat, Sparky's case, he started to lick the concrete and cat litter, but he was very sick with felv+ and Fiv+, and only 2 years old.)

With your cat, this is NOT the case, but having a blood panel run on him, would help the Vet diagnose him properly.

There is also something called 'pica' in cats, where they like to eat strange things...but it sounds more like Anemia.

Either way, a vet visit would help your cat get proper treatment.

Good Luck to you and your cat.

Hello smooshiebunnie, welcome to TCS

Agree with cat nap , its best to have your kitty checked by the vet.

Do post photos of her for us to see and what's her name?

Feel free to ask questions and do check out the many interesting articles on the red tab at the top of the page and also check out the rest of the forum pages which have very informative threads from cat health to cat grooming