A kitten eating litter is possibly sign of a serious medical condition. Although curious kittens may eat litter, excessive and persistent litter eating should be a concern for pet owners.
Potential Problems
A kitten eating litter consistently may have
medical problems and should be taken to the vet at the earliest
opportunity. Besides the problems that may be causing the kitten to
exhibit this behavior, eating litter can lead to intestinal blockage,
particularly if the litter is clumping clay litter.
While the kitten is eating litter, change
clay and clumping litter to non-toxic biodegradable alternatives, such
as litter made from wheat or corn. Litter made from paper, pine chips
and cedar may also pose less of a potential problem, especially since
they are non-clumping, but to be on the safe side, owners should
consider litter made of more digestible ingredients.
Curiosity
A kitten may be eating litter simply out of
curiosity. Still, it is better for the owner to err on the side of
being too cautious and to have the kitten tested for possible medical
conditions. Any kitten eating litter should have clay and clumping
litter replaced with non-toxic biodegradable litter until the behavior
ceases.
Deficiency
A kitten digesting clay litter might be
subconsciously attempting to compensate for a mineral and/or vitamin
deficiency. While eating litter is hazardous and not an adequate source
of these minerals, the cat doesn't know where else to get the nutrition
it needs. After a vet examination, the kitten's owner may be advised
follow a more balanced and regulated diet plan for the kitten and
replacing the litter with non-toxic alternatives. The vet may also
prescribe a vitamin supplement, which should be administered either in
pill form or in drops squirted over food.
Anemia
Anemia, or insufficient red blood cells, may
also be the cause of a kitten eating litter. Anemia can be caused by
parasites, particularly fleas, kidney disease and other diseases and
conditions. The most common cause in kittens is parasites, so the
solution may involve medication, anti-flea baths and a balanced diet.
To check for anemia in the kitten, gently
pull back its lips and look for signs that the gums are pale. White,
blue or very pale pink gums may be a sign of a blood problem. Cats'
gums are usually a dark pink color, although some other dark splotches
may be visible according to the individual cat's pigmentation. Owners
should familiarize themselves with the cat's usual gum colors so that
identifying paleness when a problem occurs becomes easier.
Renal Failure
Although rare in kittens and more a problem
in aging cats, eating litter is sometimes a symptom of chronic renal
failure, a gradual shutdown of the kidneys. Kittens with this condition
are usually not given optimistic prognoses, but this is rarely the
cause of kittens digesting litter.
A kitten eating litter consistently likely
has a medical condition, although it is possible the kitten simply is
curious. To avoid possible complications from ingesting litter, the
best course of action for a concerned owner is to switch the litter to
a biodegradable litter alternative immediately and have the kitten
examined by a vet.