Why Do Cats Love Tape? Understanding Their Obsession and How to Keep Them Safe

Some cats are extremely fond of biting and eating tape. They can often be found licking the adhesive part of different tapes. You can find forums full of stories about cats being addicted to tapes. So why do cats eat tape, and what is their obsession with adhesives in general? Read on to find out!

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Why do cats eat tape?

Unfortunately, the actual reason for why cats eat tape is still shrouded in mystery. However, experts have come through with the following possible explanations for this annoying habit.

Early weaning

Pica is quite common in cats. It is a condition in which felines are urged to eat inedible objects. This behavioral disease often appears in cats that are weaned too early. The younger a kitten is when it’s weaned, the stronger will be his/her drive to bite strange things.

These kittens usually suck on wool and stuffed animals. However, some of them tend to nibble on their owner’s arms or earlobes. These unusual cravings for inedible objects can also be created by dietary deficiencies. These nutritional deficits can also cause cats to eat tape.

Genetics

Pica can also be a genetic condition in some cats. This is the reason why certain cat breeds tend to eat inedible objects more than others. For example, Birman and Siamese cats often suck more on wool. In other felines, such behavior can signal a compulsive eating disorder.

Pica can also be mistaken for other behavioral problems. For instance, some cat breeds are more energetic than others and require some extra exercise. If adequate physical activity is NOT provided, these cats can start chewing on things out of boredom.

It will create a chaotic scene in the house because these cats will run all over the place. While doing so, they will keep knocking things over and can cause a lot of damage. You can try giving your cat some engaging chew toys or puzzles that could distract him/her from eating the tape. Treats are also a great way of keeping your cat distracted, but they should always be used in moderation.  I have put three below this line which I recommend. Please check them out.

Do cats eat packing tape?

For some reason, cats love things with shiny textures. Similarly, it is not uncommon for cats to rip off packing tapes from packages. In fact, packing tape is like catnip for some cats. They love rolling in packing tape while trying to chew it.