# Pica in Dogs and Cats: Why Pets Eat Non-Food Items Pica in dogs and cats is the repeated eating of things that are not food, such as fabric, plastic, paper, string, rocks, or litter. It can be a normal puppy or kitten behavior, a sign of an underlying medical problem, or a stress-related habit. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Pica is common in cats. In one UK study, owners reported pica toward at least one material type in about 43% of cats at roughly 6 months of age, dropping to about 31% by 18 months [1]. - Medical causes come first. Chronic stomach and intestinal inflammation was found in every biopsied dog and cat in one study of pets with pica and foreign bodies, so a veterinary workup matters before assuming the behavior is purely behavioral [2]. - The biggest danger is a blockage. String, fabric, and plastic can twist or lodge in the gut and become a surgical emergency. - Management combines a vet visit, pet-proofing your home, more appropriate chewing and play outlets, and stress reduction. - Punishment does not fix pica. It adds fear and can make your pet hide the behavior instead of stopping it. ## Why Pets Eat Non-Food Items ### Normal exploration in puppies and kittens Young animals explore the world with their mouths. Puppies chew on shoes, sticks, and furniture. Kittens bat at and bite string, ribbons, and plastic. Much of this fades as they mature. The cat data support that pattern. Pica toward one or more material types was reported in 42.9% of cats at about 6 months, 32.0% at about 12 months, and 30.9% at about 18 months [1]. Most cats targeted only one material type at each time point [1]. So a young cat chewing wool may simply be a young cat. ### Breed, temperament, and individual variation Some dogs seem more orally fixated than others. Retrievers, terriers, and herding breeds often carry objects in their mouths or chew intensely. This is normal breed-related behavior, not a disease. ### Boredom, stress, and under-stimulation A dog left alone with nothing to do may chew whatever is available. A cat in a stressful home may lick or eat fabric. In the cat cohort study, moving to a new house when the cat was about 6 to 12 months old, renting instead of owning a home, and living without a dog in the household at 2 to 4 months of age were linked to higher odds of chronic pica [1]. Those findings point to environment and early experience as real factors. ### Hunger, diet, and feeding setup Pets on calorie-restricted diets may scavenge or eat non-food items out of hunger. Overweight and obesity are common in companion dogs and cats, and weight management plans that cut calories sharply can leave a pet unsatisfied [3]. If your pet is on a diet, talk with your veterinarian about how the plan is built and whether the amount and timing of meals can be adjusted [3]. ### Compulsive or anxiety-driven behavior Some pets develop repetitive oral habits that look compulsive. A case report described a 14-month-old cat with pica toward wool and fabric along with human-directed aggression, and both problems worsened after an international move [4]. The cat improved significantly on fluoxetine after 6 weeks [4]. That case shows how stress and behavior problems can overlap with pica, and how medication may play a role in some cases. ## Medical Causes to Rule Out Pica can be a clinical sign of disease, not a training problem. Your veterinarian will decide which tests are needed. ### Chronic gastrointestinal disease A 2025 study reviewed 133 dogs and cats seen for endoscopic removal of a gastric foreign body [2]. Every biopsied animal (41 of 41) had chronic gastrointestinal signs, and all 41 had histologic chronic enteritis [2]. About 80% (33 of 41) had chronic gastritis, and Helicobacter species were found in 49% (20 of 41) [2]. The median age was 8 years in dogs and 6 years in cats [2]. The takeaway is simple. If an adult pet suddenly starts eating non-food items, chronic gut inflammation belongs on the list of possible causes [2]. ### Adverse food reactions Adverse food reactions are a frequent cause of chronic itching and gastrointestinal disease in dogs and cats [5]. Diagnosis is tricky because signs are not specific, and blood, saliva, and hair tests are not reliable [5]. An elimination diet trial with later dietary provocation remains the gold standard [5]. If your pet has both gut signs and pica, your veterinarian may recommend a diet trial. ### Other medical possibilities Anemia, intestinal parasites, pancreatic disease, liver disease, and neurologic problems can all change appetite and eating behavior. Your veterinarian will choose tests based on your pet's history and exam. There is no single blood test that diagnoses pica. ## When Pica Becomes a Problem Pica is a problem when it causes harm or when it does not fade with maturity. Watch for these signs: - Your pet swallows the item instead of just chewing it. - The behavior happens daily or multiple times a day. - Your pet targets dangerous materials (string, yarn, plastic bags, batteries, rocks, sharp objects). - Your pet shows vomiting, diarrhea, poor appetite, weight loss, or belly pain. - Your pet has a history of surgery for a foreign body. Any swallowed object can cause an obstruction. String and linear fabric are especially risky because they can bunch up in the intestine. This is a same-day or emergency situation, not a wait-and-see situation. ## What to Do Step by Step ### Step 1: See your veterinarian first Book an exam before you build a training plan. Your vet will ask what your pet eats, what it swallows, when the behavior started, and whether there are gut signs. Based on that, they may recommend bloodwork, fecal testing, imaging, or a diet trial [5]. If your pet has chronic gastrointestinal signs, endoscopy and biopsy may be discussed [2]. ### Step 2: Pet-proof your home Remove access to the items your pet targets. Put yarn, string, hair ties, socks, and plastic bags in closed drawers. Use covered trash cans. Pick up small objects from the floor. For cats that chew fabric, keep curtains and blankets out of reach when you cannot supervise. ### Step 3: Increase appropriate outlets Give your pet legal things to chew and chase. - Dogs: durable chew toys matched to your dog's size and chewing style, food-stuffed toys, puzzle feeders, and daily walks with sniffing time. - Cats: wand toys, food puzzles, cat grass, cardboard scratchers, and short play sessions several times a day. Rotate toys so they stay interesting. A tired, mentally engaged pet is less likely to invent its own entertainment. ### Step 4: Manage stress and routine Predictable routines help. Feed at the same times, keep a consistent sleep area, and give your pet a quiet place to retreat. If your cat eats litter, that can be its own stress-related or mineral-related issue, and it deserves a separate look. See [Why Is My Cat eating litter? Pica Mineral Deficiency and Stress](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/why-is-my-cat-eating-litter-pica-mineral-deficiency-and-stress). For cats, adding climbing space, hiding spots, and window perches can reduce tension. For dogs, crate training or a baby gate can keep your dog safe when you cannot watch them. ### Step 5: Reward the behavior you want When your pet chews a toy instead of your shoe, praise and treat right away. If your pet picks up a forbidden item, trade it for a toy or treat instead of chasing. Trading teaches your pet that giving up the item leads to something better. ### Step 6: Keep a simple log Write down what your pet ate, when, and what happened before. Patterns help your veterinarian and a behavior professional find triggers. Bring the log to your appointments. ### Step 7: Review diet and feeding If your pet is on a weight loss plan, ask your vet whether the plan can be adjusted [3]. Feeding smaller, more frequent meals or using food puzzles can help some pets feel more satisfied. Some owners ask about probiotics for gut support. Probiotics are widely used in pet nutrition, but host specificity and clinical evidence are still limited, so ask your veterinarian before adding one [6]. If you are considering a raw diet, review the safety issues first. See [Is Raw Food Safe for Dogs and Cats?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/is-raw-food-safe-for-dogs-and-cats). If you have multiple pets, keep species-appropriate food separate. Cat food is not balanced for dogs, and dog food is not balanced for cats. See [Why Cat Food Is Bad For Dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/nutrition/why-cat-food-is-bad-for-dogs) and [Can Cats Eat Dog Food](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/nutrition/can-cats-eat-dog-food). ## What Not to Do ### Do not punish pica Yelling, hitting, or scruffing does not teach your pet what to chew instead. Punishment can increase anxiety, which may make the behavior worse. It can also teach your pet to hide the behavior, which makes it harder to catch and more dangerous. ### Do not rely on myths Pica is not always a sign of a mineral deficiency. It is not always a phase. It is not fixed by one supplement. There is no reliable over-the-counter product that stops pica. Be cautious with any product that claims to cure it. ### Do not give human medications on your own Medications such as fluoxetine helped one cat in a case report, but that cat was treated by veterinarians after a full evaluation [4]. Never start a psychiatric medication without a prescription. Your veterinarian calculates the dose from your pet's weight and health. ### Do not wait out a swallowed object If your pet swallowed string, fabric, plastic, or a sharp object, call your veterinarian or an emergency clinic right away. Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian tells you to. ## When to Involve a Veterinarian or Behavior Professional ### Same-day veterinary visit Call your veterinarian the same day if your pet: - Swallowed a non-food item and is still eating and acting normally - Has mild vomiting or soft stool after eating a non-food item - Has a sudden change in pica behavior in an adult pet ### Emergency visit now Go to an emergency clinic immediately if your pet: - Is vomiting repeatedly or cannot keep water down - Has a painful or bloated belly - Is drooling, gagging, or retching without producing anything - Is lethargic, weak, or collapsing - Has swallowed string, yarn, or a sharp object ### Routine visit Schedule a regular appointment if your pet: - Has had pica for weeks or months - Has chronic vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, or poor appetite - Has pica that started after a move, a new pet, or a schedule change - Has pica that has not improved with home management ### Behavior professional Ask your veterinarian for a referral to a veterinarian who specializes in behavior or a certified applied animal behaviorist if: - Medical causes have been ruled out - Your pet shows anxiety, aggression, or compulsive behavior - Home management has not worked after several weeks - Your pet needs medication as part of a behavior plan ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian This article covers general information only. Every pet needs an individual evaluation, and only your veterinarian can diagnose and treat your pet. Pica research is still limited. The cat data come from one UK cohort [1], and the gastrointestinal study looked back at pets already sick enough to need foreign body removal [2]. That means we do not have a full picture of how often pica has a medical cause in healthy-looking pets. Your veterinarian will use your pet's history, exam, and test results to decide what fits. Contact your veterinarian promptly if pica is new, getting worse, or paired with any gut signs. Go to an emergency clinic right away if your pet swallowed something dangerous or shows signs of obstruction. Do not wait to see if it passes on its own. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is pica in dogs and cats a sign of a nutrient deficiency? Sometimes, but not usually as a simple mineral shortage. Gut inflammation, food reactions, and stress are more common explanations in the veterinary literature [2][5]. If you suspect a deficiency, ask your veterinarian before buying supplements. ### Will my pet outgrow pica? Many young pets do. In the cat study, pica dropped from about 43% at 6 months to about 31% at 18 months [1]. If the behavior continues into adulthood, or if your pet swallows dangerous items, it needs a veterinary workup. ### Can pica cause a blockage in my dog or cat? Yes. That is the main danger. String, fabric, and plastic can lodge or twist in the stomach or intestine. A blockage is a surgical emergency. Call your veterinarian right away if your pet swallowed a non-food item. ### Does pica mean my pet has a behavior problem? Not always. It can be normal exploration, a response to boredom or stress, or a sign of gut disease [1][2]. A veterinarian can help sort out which one applies to your pet. ### Can medication help pica? In some cases, yes. One cat with pica and aggression improved significantly on fluoxetine after 6 weeks [4]. Medication is not right for every pet, and it is always paired with behavior and environment changes. Your veterinarian decides whether it is appropriate and calculates the dose for your pet. ## Related Articles - [Why Cat Food Is Bad For Dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/nutrition/why-cat-food-is-bad-for-dogs) - [Why Is My Cat eating litter? Pica Mineral Deficiency and Stress](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/why-is-my-cat-eating-litter-pica-mineral-deficiency-and-stress) - [Can Dogs Eat Cat Food](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-cat-food) - [Can Cats Eat Dog Food](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/nutrition/can-cats-eat-dog-food) - [Is Raw Food Safe for Dogs and Cats?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/is-raw-food-safe-for-dogs-and-cats) - [Plants That Aren't Toxic To Cats And Dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/plants-that-aren-t-toxic-to-cats-and-dogs) - [Pica in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/behavior/pica-in-dogs-causes-treatment) - [Pica in Cats: Causes, Symptoms and How to Treat It](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/behavior/pica-in-cats-treatment) - [Why Does My Puppy Eat Everything? Pica and Safety](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/behavior/puppy-eats-everything) ## References 1. [Owner-Reported Pica in Domestic Cats Enrolled onto a Birth Cohort Study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33921455/). Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 2021. 2. [Pica as a clinical sign of a chronic enteropathy in dogs and cats](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40381647/). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2025. 3. [Overweight and Obesity in Dogs and Cats: An Exploration of Animal Welfare and Behaviour Impacts, and Recommendations for Management in Veterinary Primary Care](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42071970/). Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 2026. 4. [Human-directed aggression and pica in a 1-year-old cat, which worsened following international relocation](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37441538/). JFMS open reports, 2023. 5. [Adverse Food Reactions in Dogs and Cats](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41391959/). The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice, 2026. 6. [From conventional probiotics to precision nutrition: host-specific probiotics in canine and feline functional foods](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42591975/). Frontiers in veterinary science, 2026. ## Further Reading - [Merck Veterinary Manual: Dog Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners) - [Merck Veterinary Manual: Cat Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners) - [American Veterinary Medical Association: Pet Care](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare)