Wool Sucking Cats

Sucking on wool or other fuzzy fabrics seem to be a common occurrence among cats. This can be merely an annoying habit, potential health issue or an indicator of a physical or emotional problem. Wool sucking can be a life-long habit but, in many cats, it begins in mid-life. The exact cause(s) of this behavior have not been fully studied but, many theories abound:

1. Early Weaning - Most domestic cats are weaned at 6-7 weeks but, sometimes early weaning occurs, due the death of the queen or someone adopting out the kittens before they are fully weaned. The instinct to suckle is very strong in young kittens and they may continue to try to suckle anything soft, warm and fuzzy that resembles a mother cat. This may be a blanket, a toy or your favorite cashmere sweater.

2. Genetics - Oriental breeds, such as Siamese, Balinese, Tonkinese and their crosses seem to be more prone to wool-sucking than European or North American breeds.

3. PICA - This is the abnormal compulsion to eat non-food substances, such as clothing, plastic, wood, etc. It is most often associated with pregnant women but is also seen in non-pregnant women and animals.

4. Stress - If a cat is stressed, it may exhibit obsessive-compulsive behaviors, of which wool-sucking is one. Others include fur-pulling, paw-sucking, tail-chewing or flank-licking.

5. Diet - The wool-sucking cat may be lacking fiber in its diet and cats cannot distinguish dietary from non-dietary fiber. If the cat confines its sucking to wool only, it may be attracted to the taste of lanolin (this may also be the reason cats like to lick human skin after lotion has been applied).

In addition to being hard on your wardrobe, wool-sucking can lead to health problems for the cat. Just like hairballs, ingested fibers can impact in a cat's digestive tract, causing obstructions requiring veterinary care, up to and including surgery or (in extreme cases) euthanasia. If the cat becomes lethargic, constipated and/or begins vomiting excessively, have it checked by a vet for a vitamin/mineral deficiency or gastrointestinal obstruction.
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