Annoying cat problem please help with advice?

[DodgerGirl]

My mom and I have started noticing a new habit that my cat has started to do that is becoming so annoying that I don't know what we can do about it. My cat has started licking things around the house and I want to know if anyone's cats also has this habit as well. The two things my cat likes to lick are the garbage can and our house floors and my mom and I haven't found the answer to what he is licking. When my cat does lick he also makes chewing motions with his mouth but Mom has looked in my cat's mouth and finds nothing. We try covering our bathroom garbage can with a trash can liner but my cat will lick and lick and then another thing he licks is plastic bags and anything plastic. Could my cat's licking habit be caused by something the matter with him and what should we do about it? I never known cats to have this habit so what do you recommend?
Dodger

 

[Scotgirl]

My mom and I have started noticing a new habit that my cat has started to do that is becoming so annoying that I don't know what we can do about it. My cat has started licking things around the house and I want to know if anyone's cats also has this habit as well. The two things my cat likes to lick are the garbage can and our house floors and my mom and I haven't found the answer to what he is licking. When my cat does lick he also makes chewing motions with his mouth but Mom has looked in my cat's mouth and finds nothing. We try covering our bathroom garbage can with a trash can liner but my cat will lick and lick and then another thing he licks is plastic bags and anything plastic. Could my cat's licking habit be caused by something the matter with him and what should we do about it? I never known cats to have this habit so what do you recommend?
Dodger

Our cats lick plastic things when they need to get rid of a hairball. It's the indoor cat equivalent of eating grass.
As longs as there's nothing toxic for them we just leave ours to get on with it.

 

[DodgerGirl]

Our cats lick plastic things when they need to get rid of a hairball. It's the indoor cat equivalent of eating grass.
As longs as there's nothing toxic for them we just leave ours to get on with it.

Mom and I have found that my cat does get hairballs but he not only licks the bathroom garbage can but also the floor in my room but we give him cat treats with hairball remedies but it doesn't work and he still licks
Dodger

 

[Pea-n-Me]

My mom and I have started noticing a new habit that my cat has started to do that is becoming so annoying that I don't know what we can do about it. My cat has started licking things around the house and I want to know if anyone's cats also has this habit as well. The two things my cat likes to lick are the garbage can and our house floors and my mom and I haven't found the answer to what he is licking. When my cat does lick he also makes chewing motions with his mouth but Mom has looked in my cat's mouth and finds nothing. We try covering our bathroom garbage can with a trash can liner but my cat will lick and lick and then another thing he licks is plastic bags and anything plastic. Could my cat's licking habit be caused by something the matter with him and what should we do about it? I never known cats to have this habit so what do you recommend?
Dodger

Yes, absolutely, there can be something wrong with him! Don’t you watch Dr Pol?

Maybe he’s having pain in his mouth and somehow the licking relieves it. Cats can get tumors in their mouths, things stuck in their throats, rotten teeth and a whole host of other problems that they are incapable of telling you about. You have to watch them to realize something might be wrong, and I’d say this qualifies. So make a vet appt. And if it comes back that all is good, then you can start looking at behavioral solutions. There are lots of great cat people here.

 

[kymom99]

I’ve had lots of cats and I’ve never seen this issue. Sorry I’m not more help.

 

[AppleDumpling]

If the licking leads to actually ingesting any non-food material, it is a common condition in cats called pica. My cat loved to lick, chew on and eat plastic bags, as well as the edges of cardboard boxes and scotch tape or packing tape. Often it would make him vomit. We had to keep those things away from him but it was difficult. It could be caused by anxiety, boredom or any number of underlying medical issues. Definitely have him checked out by a vet.

 

[LuvOrlando]

When I had cats they did this with photographs, must have been something they smelled, they would make the funniest faces.

Is there a chance it could be what you are cleaning with these days, or if something was dropped? Lots of cleaners are plant based now and maybe the cat thinks it is food,. I'd switch cleaning brands and wash everything with something unscented and new, the pail is easy enough to replace.

 

[NotUrsula]

Does she have enough water? Sometimes cats will lick shiny surfaces because they think they are wet. A water fountain sometimes will attract them to drink more water than just putting it in a bowl.

Mine will chew plastic bags, purely as a stress response. When my other cat upsets her, no plastic bag is safe, and especially not sacks of potatoes. We have to make sure that anything in a bag is well up off the floor or kept behind a hard-to-unlatch door.

 

[BrianL]

I think you should definitely have him checked out at hte vet, even if it may not be a serious issue. If hairballs are an issue, I love a product called Cat-Lax. It's a paste which helps my cat with hairballs. She's had a few get all stuck in her stomach, but that stuff really helps. It tastes good for cats too so they consider it a treat.

 

[Imzadi]

As a PP mentioned, the cat could have a deficiency of certain nutrients and cause Pica, which causes him to try to leach out the nutrient from non-food materials.

How old is your cat? My cat died of tongue cancer. It's a very common cancer cats develop when they reach a certain age. The vet oncologist said the current medical theory is that cats lick, eat or ingest certain toxic chemicals in their environment, or it gets on their fur and they eat it as they lick and wash themselves. And it builds up over time and develops into cancer.

Definitely have your cat checked out. They shouldn't be licking items like this. Also, when you wash your floors, do NOT use a pine cleaner which is toxic to cats. And make sure whatever cleaner you use is really well rinsed off so your cat is not licking and ingesting any residue.

 

[2Lunds]

Is the cat really overweight? Could be re-directing the inability to lick him/herself and groom effectively.

Once you rule out anything medically wrong with a vet visit, you can pick up an anti-chew remedy and spray it on the surfaces the cat seems really attracted too.

Try a lick pad with some food on it as well as a positive outlet for this behaviour.

 

[mom2rtk]

Time to visit the vet. Might be nothing, but might be a clue about a medical concern.

 

[dizneegirl]

We have a dumb cat that rubs everything, and likes to lick... always has. She doesn't chew what she licks, just likes the feeling, I think. I have to stay covered at night, or I get licked as well... such an annoying habit.

 

[Chili327]

Does she have enough water? Sometimes cats will lick shiny surfaces because they think they are wet. A water fountain sometimes will attract them to drink more water than just putting it in a bowl.

I definitely would start there (Vet).
Put a few water bowls around the house. Other than that, id go see a vet just in case.

 

[john7994]

Would second other poster's advice to consult with a vet ... Our cat was fond of licking cardboard of any variety. We thought it was a hairball thing as well, it was later found to be a very rare salivary gland cancer. Not wanting to overtly concern you over anything serious, but would seek a vet opinion.

 

[DodgerGirl]

I've never even heard of Pica but another thing my cat likes is the smell of Clorox and used to lick it but he stopped doing it. But he does eat dust bunnies but we vacuum my room before he goes in there
Dodger

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

Honestly I have absolutely no idea. My cat is 19 years old and she has never done anything like this.