Eating the cat litter!

bagheera

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Mar 20, 2005
Messages
7
Purraise
0
Bagheera has developed another worrying habit. He loves to eat the cat litter! I know kittens will tend to do this but he is about 15 years old and adopted us about six weeks back (See Vet thinks its FIP...)
The litter we are using is a natural clay. We are worried that it seems to be making him thirsty and putting him off his normal food. Any suggestions?
 

hissy

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 19, 2001
Messages
34,872
Purraise
76
I would take him in for blood work. It could be his diet needs adjusting or he is becoming anemic- this type of behavior though common in some kittens, is not normal for older cats and suggests some internal problem might be developing-
 

rarepuss

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Jan 2, 2005
Messages
1,189
Purraise
24
Location
garden state, NJ
Originally Posted by hissy

I would take him in for blood work. It could be his diet needs adjusting or he is becoming anemic- this type of behavior though common in some kittens, is not normal for older cats and suggests some internal problem might be developing-
i KNEW my answer was too easy...
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

bagheera

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Mar 20, 2005
Messages
7
Purraise
0
Thanks for the responses from Rarepuss and Hissy,
Have tried changing the cat litter twice. Have now resorted to torn paper which he refuses to eat but unfortunately also makes him reluctant to use the tray. After he adopted us about six weeks ago he had a full set of blood tests which proved to be fine except for thyroid and some liver damage. Will keep trying for a solution!"
 

stephenq

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jun 19, 2003
Messages
5,672
Purraise
944
Location
East Coast, USA
While you evaluate a possible medical condition that could cause him to eat his litter you could also switch to a litter that would be safe to eat like "worlds best" which is made from 100% corn. Not ideal but at least it won't hurt him to eat it.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #7

bagheera

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Mar 20, 2005
Messages
7
Purraise
0
Thanks to everyone who responded to my query.
Sadly Bagheera was put down on Thursday after a new vet discovered he had massive tumours on his liver. (Please see My vet thinks it is FIP... on the health forum for further details).

Michael
 

xocats

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Mar 26, 2005
Messages
20,608
Purraise
16
I am so sorry for your loss. Be sure to visit the pet grief site...and read about the Rainbow Bridge.http://www.petloss.com
My furbaby Bartholomew has a tribute there. It has really helped me deal with his death....which was almost 5 years ago but I still get really sad sometimes.
 
Top