Licking, Chewing, and Eating Issues
My cat is licking off all of her fur. Is this a sign of anxiety?
We used to think that "overgrooming" was always a sign of anxiety. Have your cat examined by the vet to see if she has fleas, allergies, a skin infection or some other medical reason for this. If she appears normal, then anti-anxiety medication can be tried.
My cat eats my jewelry, gets into the trash, eats my chapstick, chews on electrical cords and even swallowed a bread tie!
Cats are known to develop odd obsessions with certain objects or food, anything from newsprint to marshmallows, shoes, packing tape, photographs, bananas, bleach, popcorn, stuffed animals--you name it! They may be a lot like humans with these behaviors. The important thing is to not allow access to anything potentially harmful, and provide your cat appropriate things to chew like chew toys, rawhide, cat grass, toys with food inside or cat nip.
Is it normal for my cat to lick and sometimes chew on my hair?
Consider this a compliment! Cats will often groom each other as a sign of friendship (allogrooming). Unfortunately, we don't all appreciate our cat's hairstyling talents. You may need to redirect your cat to sit on your lap or engage in play instead.
My cat sucks holes in my blankets and sometimes tries to suck on me. Was he weaned too early from his mother?
Sucking is a self-soothing behavior and normal in kittens, but in adult cats may be an Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Fabrics, especially wool, are usually the attraction. It can also be an attention-seeking behavior. Try denying access to the offending items and provide alternative outlets such as chew toys, rawhide, catnip, herbs, toys with food inside, etc. When the cat tries to suck on you, redirect by removing him from the situation, do not punish! Sometimes medications are needed to resolve this behavior.