Why Does My Cat Lick Metal – Pica & Other Factors

Have you ever caught your cat licking a metal appliance or metal piece of furniture? You might find yourself wondering if the metal has a good flavor or what would make a cat want to lick an inanimate object. You might also worry that licking metal could be toxic or dangerous for your cat. Now you’re wondering, why does my cat lick metal? 

Cats lick metal because they enjoy the taste of metal.  Nutrient deficiencies, stress, or conditions such as Pica are also linked to cats licking metal. Compulsive metal licking is usually a coping mechanism and can be trained out of your cat’s behavior. 

While licking metal might seem weird at first, it’s not usually harmful to cats. In this article we’ll explain some signs to look for that may be causing your cat to behave this way.  

Reasons Your Cat Licks Metal

 There are a few common reasons your cat licks metal listed below:

1. Your cat licks metal because they like the way metal tastes.

2. Your cat has an upset stomach and is trying to eat something to settle its stomach.

3. Your cat could be suffering from the condition Pica.

4. Your cat is upset and is licking metal to act out and get your attention.

5. Licking inanimate objects like metal could be a new habit or tic your cat has developed.

6. Your cat has a nutritional imbalance and is licking metal to try and fix this.

 Beyond that, there’s not much more to it. The one cat owners will run into most often is Pica, the enjoyment of the flavor, or just a newly developed hobby. Again, it’s nothing to worry about, cats do this sort of thing with other inanimate objects, not just metal. The best thing you can do is monitor your cat, and if it seems excessive, get them to a vet. 

Is It Normal For Cats To Lick Metal 

It is not normal for cats to develop a habit of licking metal objects or surfaces. If you see your cat do this very randomly or infrequently, it is not a reason for concern. However, if your cat has suddenly developed a habit of licking metal, it could be an indicator of a change in their health or overall wellbeing.

Cats are very habit-driven creatures, so it is rare for them to develop a brand new habit without a cause. If you see your cat constantly trying to lick metal in your home, this could be tied to a new issue. The first step to take is to investigate whether your cat is feeling well.

Start taking note of your cat’s litter box patterns to see if they are using the bathroom on their regular schedule. If you notice a decrease in bowel movements, this could indicate a problem taking place with your cat’s digestive system.

If your cat’s digestive system is not operating correctly, it may be feeling bloated or in a little discomfort. Cats have developed ways to try and resolve health problems over centuries. Sometimes when cats are having intestinal problems, they will eat random objects to try to make themselves get sick, which may be why they are trying to lick metal.

Cats can develop intestinal problems due to their grooming habits. Cats ingest a lot of hair from licking their fur, and this can cause hairballs to build up in their digestive tract. They may try to make themselves ill to remove the blockage from their system, but often this situation will require vet assistance to resolve fully.

If you see your cat licking or trying to eat many foreign objects, make sure to watch closely to see if they also seem to be having stomach troubles or feel poorly.

Is Metal Bad For Cats

 Licking metal should not cause any adverse health reaction for your cat. However, licking or ingesting any ethnic cuisine or object is dangerous for your feline. Cats have very delicate digestive systems that are best suited to only digest their prescribed cat food.

Eating any other type of object is sure to cause a problem for your cat. It would be very dangerous for several reasons if your cat happened to swallow a piece of metal. The first is that metal has sharp edges, and they could seriously damage their organs if the metal they swallowed had a sharp corner and cut them.

Secondly, it would be tough for a cat to pass metal through its digestive tract, and it would likely require a somewhat complicated surgery to remove the metal from your cat’s body. It would also be a very painful and traumatic process for both you and your cat to go through.

Knowing all of this, do your best due diligence as a cat owner to ensure your animal stays far away from any harmful objects they could try to eat.

Are Cats Allergic To Metal

While not all cats are allergic to metal, your cat can have a metal allergy. If your cat is allergic to metal, you will have to make specific changes in their life to ensure they stay healthy and avoid having an allergic reaction. Having a metal allergy goes behind avoiding metal objects. There are trace amounts of metal in some food and water as well.

Cats with a metal allergy will need special dry food and will not be able to eat out of any metal bowls. They also may need filtered water or more frequent water bowl changes. Outside of these adjustments, your cat should be able to lead a relatively everyday life, even with a metal allergy.

You can typically tell if your cat has an allergic reaction based on the symptoms they are exhibiting. Generally, allergic reactions in cats will cause a lot of irritation and itching. They could have itchy skin, eyes, ears, or tails. They often gnaw on their paws when they have an allergic reaction to relieve the itching symptoms. 

 If you believe your cat is having an allergic reaction to metal or any other object, take your cat in for a visit with their veterinarian. Your vet may be able to run blood tests or suggest a specific diet to pinpoint what is causing your cat to feel bad. Your vet will also be able to guide you on whether their allergies could lead to other health problems later in life.

 Cats are pretty tough animals, and it is not always easy to tell when something is wrong, so it is up to you as a responsible pet owner to keep a close eye on your cat’s behavior. If you notice them having a strange reaction or a change in habits, this can often indicate something has changed with their mental or physical health. Take your cues on how your cat is feeling from how their energy levels and how they act.

How Do You Know If Your Has Pica

You can tell if your cat has Pica if they continuously try to eat random, non-edible objects. Pica is the name for the behavioral disorder cats develop where they try to eat things like wool, paper, plastic, or cardboard.

This condition usually reveals itself when cats are very young and less than a year old. While there has not been much research about why cats develop Pica, some doctors believe it is due to dietary deficiencies, a compulsive disorder, or being weaned too early from their mother.

The good news is that cats who develop Pica can outgrow the disorder as they get older. If you notice your cat has this condition, your cat will need special attention and care. Ingesting a random object could potentially be fatal for your cat if it goes untreated. Additionally, the surgery required to remove foreign objects from your cat’s stomach is very invasive and expensive.

Other Factors To Consider

If you think your cat has Pica, you can help them overcome the disorder with specific guidance from their vet. No matter what caused your cat to develop this disorder, you can take actions to keep them occupied and distracted from acting out. It is essential to keep your cat mentally stimulated with toys and activities like catnip and scratching posts to ensure they have a healthy outlet for their feelings and this condition.

Cats with Pica will usually also have other secondary symptoms outside of eating inanimate objects. Keep an eye out to be using the litter box less frequently, and have an upset stomach or diarrhea. All of these are signs your cat may have a stomach blockage from eating something foreign to their system.

Cats with Pica are more high maintenance pets because you must keep a close watch on them to ensure they are not trying to eat anything dangerous. If your cat has Pica, you should go through your home and try to remove any loose objects that they have shown interest in eating to prevent them from having a problem.