Ballpoint Pens and cats

My cat Maynard likes to lick the ink from ballpoint pens. It's almost impossible for me to write with one in the house anymore, because she can recognize the sound of the pen on paper and will come running! Usually I have to scribble on some scrap and distract her while I continue to write what I need to. (It's awfully embarrasing giving your landlord a check covered in cat spit, which I've done before)

Is there anything wrong with letting her do this? Everyone I know with a cat has never heard of anything like this. Any comments?

I myself do not think its a good idea for her to be licking on pens.. What if she gets ink or something.

Although you have a behavior question, I moved your thread because of your oversized photo in your post.

You should not encourage your cat to lick the ink from ballpoint pens. I know that newspaper ink is toxic to cats, so it is likely that ballpoint ink is as well.

Well, doesn't sound like a good idea.

But what a beauty

Every cat in our family loves pens -- but not so much to lick as to bat at, spin around, and fling under the nearest piece of furniture that's too heavy for me to move. :-) I've been concerned about them ingesting ink, though, so I only buy retractable pens now, and I make sure to retract them when I'm not writing...

very gorgeous!

He is adorable!!...as far as the pens go not a good idea to let him lick them...cats are alot like children..they will get into all kinds of things that aren't good for them!