Factors affecting pica in the domestic cat

摘要: Abstract A postal survey was conducted of the owners 152 cats, mainly oriental breeds, which exhibited pica (defined broadly, as chewing, sucking or ingesting non-nutritive materials). The most common material wool (93% cases), followed by cotton, man-made fabrics, rubber/plastic and paper/cardboard (8%). Actual ingestion likely to occur in Burmese cats Siamese, contradiction a report from USA (Houpt, 1985). Pica appeared be linked infantile behaviour non-oriental but possibly not orientals. Onset could at any time during first 4 years cat's life, frequent 2 months following rehoming. other cases rehoming, tended between 6 18 age, may therefore onset sexual maturity territorial behaviour. Neutering had little effect on expression pica.