In both of the studies stress and lack of choice and control can also be implicated as factors, whether due to change in home environment or in being denied access to food. Stress occasioned behaviors may serve in some way to allow the animal to cope with the stress. It is inherently difficult, if not impossible, to tease out from observation what the benefit of pica is for the cat that performs it. Perhaps the act of suckling, chewing or ingesting an inedible object in its more work –more time performed in the suckling, chewing or ingesting - is rewarding or soothing. Or the fabric consumed is wonderfully redolent of the scent of the owner and this is rewarding. Perhaps the prolonged suckling, chewing or ingesting is reminiscent of the comfort and sustenance found in nursing from the mother. The cat alone knows the why, we can only guess and do our work in mitigating stress which may relieve the need to perform the behavior.
Not every cat that experiences stressful events will perform pica but this does not mean that these cats are not stressed. Pica is a behavior that may be harmful to a cat even as it may be stress relieving. Managing the cat’s environment to limit access to those inedible objects targeted is the first step in working with this behavior, relieving the stress and offering opportunities for other behaviors are the next steps.
The following plan of action is most effective when implemented and given time to work. Remember that cats wear a different watch than we do and need sufficient time to trust the improved environment:
Manage the environment: Limit the opportunity to consume inedible objects. If the cat consumes plastic, do not leave any lying around. Similarly, if the cat is chewing socks, shirts or shoelaces make sure these are inaccessible. Be a detective in figuring out what the cat is targeting and how to remove those objects from the environment. Lessening the occurrence of the behavior is the first step in managing it. The next step has to be addressing whatever function or relief the action is providing.
Remove any punishment: whether in your body language or the simplest admonition to more aversive strategies such as spray bottles. Punishment is not effective with cats as it increases stress, exacerbates an existing situation and creates a negative association with the human involved and not just the action. Additionally no punishment is effective as a deterrent unless it is performed at the exact moment of the behavior and if it is not continually increased which negatively impacts welfare.
Modify behavior through learning, interactions and environment: Know that to modify or change a behavior you need to offer a behavior that is equally satisfying or rewarding and to allow for the place, learning and opportunity to perform that behavior.
Offer cats an enriched home environment with the appropriate cat furniture such as raised resting spaces, multiple cat beds with at least three raised sides, places to hide (from cardboard boxes to cat igloos), scratching posts, cat toys for solitary object play and classical music.
Utilize fountains for water (only if they can be maintained, bowls instead changed daily) and place away from food- in a natural environment cats will seek out fresh water sources away from prey they have consumed.
One study showed less cats had pica behaviors when given free access to food addressing control, choice and hunger. Ditch the dry food bowls and think puzzle feeders - but do make sure they are the most appropriate ones and avoid "slow feeders" which frustrate rather then satisfy. Look to a cat’s natural hunting behavior and provide puzzle food feeders for the entire portion of the cat's dry food diet, to engage cats in those behaviors which stimulate cognition, problem solving and are intrinsically rewarding. Complex large field tray feeders and/or rolling feeders are good choices. Make any puzzle feeder easier to access initially (kibble at the ends of the tray and larger openings on the rolling feeders) and encourage use. Show cats how to use each - cats are great social learners!
Implement and do not neglect daily interactive play sessions on schedule (so they know when it will happen) with humans with fishing wand toys to stimulate and encourage play activity with all the helpful endorphins and neural firings of joyful and stress reliving activity. Keep those toys hidden when not in use to preserve novelty and for safety.
Looking at and instituting at ways to improve welfare and lessen stress contribute to the quality of life of pica cats and all the cats we know.
References
Bradshaw, J.W.S., P.F. Neville and D. Sawyer. (1997). Factors affecting pica in the domestic cat. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 52, 373-379
Demontigny-Bedard, I., G. Beauchamp, M.C. Belanger and D. Frank, (2016). Characterization of pica and chewing behaviors in privately owned cats: a case controlled study. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 18(8), 652-7
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