opened the express box and threw it aside, but the cat suddenly showed a strong interest in the box.
not only curiously approached the box to smell and look around, but also directly opened his mouth to bite the carton with his pointed little tiger teeth.
The cat gnawed more and more vigorously, and soon a row of tooth marks were left on the box!
Looking at this scene, I sometimes even worry about whether the cat will eat the carton into its stomach...
But it's okay. Many times, they just play.
In this case, do you know why cats are so interested in cardboard boxes? Why do they have to show their face when faced with cartons?
2 possible reasons why cats chew cartons
- may have pica
Pica is actually a feedback of a normal eating disorder. If cats have pica, they may choose to chew the carton and look forward to tasting it. The smell of cardboard.
If you observe your cat swallowing after chewing on a cardboard box, please consider the possibility of pica.
There are many causes of pica in cats. Among them, there is a relationship between some underlying diseases and pica.
For example, leukemia and immune function defects may cause pica, diabetes, hyperthyroidism and other factors may also cause pica. If your cat has pica, we recommend that you take your cat to the hospital for a full physical examination.
In addition to obvious diseases, nutritional deficiencies are also the main cause of pica, especially the lack of certain micronutrients.
When there is a nutritional deficiency, cats’ bodies will tell them to get more food, and cardboard may be one of the foods they choose.
In addition, certain environmental factors may also cause acute pica in cats. Cats are animals that like to stay in their familiar territory, and if their surrounding environment changes, they are likely to become anxious.
Anxiety may cause cats to eat things they would not normally eat, and sometimes cardboard boxes are such things.
- Cats may chew cartons just because they like them.
Many cats chew on cartons often out of love. They regard cartons as fun toys and enjoy the process of chewing on cartons.
Some cats may like the feeling of rubbing the cardboard box with their teeth, while other cats may like the sound of chewing the cardboard box, and some cats will attract the attention of the cat by chewing the cardboard box.
A cat chews on a cardboard box, plays with it for a few minutes, and then walks away quietly. This is an extremely normal behavior. If your cat doesn’t put the carton in its mouth, there’s no need to worry about this behavior.
It is an effective and inexpensive toy for cats who like to play with cardboard boxes. If you are worried about your cat accidentally eating a cardboard box, you can buy some safer toys to replace the cardboard box.
Is it safe to chew on cardboard?
If the cat simply chews the cardboard, there is a high probability that there will be no problem. Of course, the premise is that the raw materials used to make the cartons do not contain certain toxins.
Some express boxes are sealed with staples or tape. These items are very dangerous to cats. When your cat chews on a cardboard box, please check the condition of the box first.
If the cat is not only chewing, but trying to eat the carton, then there is definitely a risk.
Cartons are difficult to digest and can easily cause intestinal blockage, which is very risky for cats. Some kittens ingest carton scraps just out of curiosity, which can be dangerous.
If you want to avoid this risk, you can choose some other chew toys for your cat.
Conclusion
The main reasons why cats like to chew on cardboard boxes can be roughly divided into two, namely fun and pica.
The former is generally safe for cats, while the latter requires vigilance on the part of the cat.
