Is it normal for a cat (siamese) to have a fetish for plastic?

My sister in law has had a siamese kitten now for 3 months

She has an enormous desire to chew on plastic, whether it be the plastic wrapping you get on products, duct tape, or even the plastic cap on laces

Her favourite toy is a peice of duct tape rolled lengthways and folded over itself

To the point where she now brings me the tape and sits there waiting for me to throw it

When I throw it for her, instead of normal cats playing with it by themselves, she brings it back

This is continous - a game of fetch with a cat, I have seen the You tube vids showing this with other cats, but never thought I would see a cat do it with my own eyes

So is it normal or even healthy for a cat to chew plastic?

And if not how do you stop her from doing it?

Clough

You foolish human! What do you know? I can find water when you have know idea where to search. I can ingest things into my body that would make you sick if you did so, but they have no effect on me.

Also, how's your night vision human, as well as your ability to right yourself and land safely, if dropped from a great distance?

Thanks!

ohsohappy

I think just about all cats like plastic. They like the crinkling sound. My cat licks plastic bags.

They like paper bags too, because of the noise.

Clough

Hi, ohsohappy!

Okay, I can agree that maybe a noise might be an attraction. But, what about those that seem to have an affinity for relieving themselves on rubber-backed throw rugs, please?

Thanks!

phlanx

When we were kids, one of my sisters had a cat that loved to goto sleep on newspaper, this we put down to the fact that when he was born, his basket was fall of newspaper, so its a familarity that promotes a certain attraction to materials

But where in the heck does plastic come into play?

My sister in laws cat can be as snug as a bug in a rug, but as soon as you start ripping duct tape, the thing goes mental (full moon or not) and starts hopping around you - and yes like a cat on a hot tin roof - sorry

I just cant figure out where the association of familarity comes from with plastic

Silverfoxkit

I don't think my cat cares about the sound. He licks any plastic whether on not it makes noise and he doesn't care for paper. I think he may just like the way it feels on his tongue.

morgaine300

I don't think this has anything at all to do with breed. I've never had a Siamese, but I've had several cats who have a thing about plastic, foil and similar stuff. One of my current cats is like that, the other one is not. The one who is like that is your basic American shorthair tabby. I had another cat who had a really big hangup on snack bags, like potato chip bags and such. He'd chew and lick it.

Overall, it appears pretty common. People always seem to think their cat is unusual or something... but cats are just weird, that's all there is to it. Being abnormal is normal for a cat.

tany072075

I also think it has nothing to do with the breed. I have a ragdoll. He will lick any plastic he can get too. Whether it be a plastic sack or a pack of toilet paper. I have found, however that he does it more around the time that I usually feed him. When I get up in the morning, he follows me to the bathroom and licks the pack of toilet paper if its on the floor. At nite he'll find any plastic he can get his paws on and drives me crazy til I feed him. Full stomach......no more plastic.

ohsohappy

Wow nice observation.

shazamataz

Now there's a thought!

Do you feed your cat out of a plastic dish?
Maybe they have associated plastic with food?

Clough

Excellent thought there about the possible association with a plastic food dish, shazamataz!

My cat usually only shows an interest in plastic bags of any kind in the morning before feeding.

Thanks!