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

Hi, phlanx!

I'm no expert on this, but based upon my own cat and comments from others about cats, I would say that it's common for cats of various breeds, to have a fetish for plastics. Mine is constantly rubbing himself against and chewing on plastic bags.

I've also heard that some cats can definitely have a "thing" for rubber-backed rugs.

Thanks!

Silverfoxkit

One of our cats Hefty is obsessed with plastic. He will happily just sit there and lick it for hours. I thoguht he was the only one.

Good to know my cats not the only odd ball.

Clough

Hi, Silverfoxkit!

To me, what would be really interesting to find out, would be why they can have a "thing" for plastic!

Perhaps someone here might know...

Thanks!

phlanx

Evening Clough,

So in essence then, the cure for the mountains of plastic man produces is to unleash a pack of hungary cats

Now if that isnt lateral thinking I dont know what is

As clough states, I would love to know why myself, as the only reason I can assume is they like the roughness/brush effect on their teeth, but if there are any vets out there who know specifically, please share

spitvenom

My cat has a plastic fetish but he is allergic to plastic!!!! As soon as he see's plastic he starts to chew but gets HUGE bumps on his face around his mouth. So now it is a consent job of making sure there is no plastic anywhere.

But both of my cats fetch toy mice. And they bring them into our bed and sleep with them. I wake up with cat toys all over our bed.

Clough

Does anyone think that this type of fetish might depend on the breed of the cat?

Thanks!

phlanx

I do think that siamese cats are the ones who have issues with life.

Most the cats I have had over the years, or should I say the cats who have owned me, have been a mix match, but I did have two brother cats who were half siamese

Both loved to catch things, one would catch mice and come and play with it in the living room (delightful thing), the other would wait till dark and go outisde the house windows and catch moths, bring them into the house and wait for one of us to kill it so he could eat it, give a little meow and then head off out for another

It was better than telly at night watching a cat leap up past the window time and time again

But I have to say Clough, Siamese cats seem to be the breed that demonstrates numerous mental problems, so I would be willing to bet that certain breeds have certain fetishes

Clough

Yeah, I definitely agree that Siamese cats can have some mental issues! But, that's just because of my experiences with them.

Thanks!

phlanx

I have often thought, when you stare at a cat after it has done something incredibly stupid, the cat is starring back thinking,

"You think I am mad, you should see what I see Monkey Boy"