Can Cats Eat Cardboard?

Seeing your feline eat cardboard boxes, including diaper boxes, paper towels, paperback books, and so on, may seem like odd behavior, but it is not that uncommon.

A cat chewing on non-food products, such as cardboard, is quite common. There are several reasons that can lead to this situation. However, the real question is, can cats eat cardboard?

Then the answer is, NO! Generally speaking, cardboards are not edible for cats. However, this action might help your little feline friend soothe. So, if your feline has a habit of chewing on cardboard, make sure it doesn’t have sharp ends and chemicals. 

Cat Chewing on Cardboard – Reasons

There are numerous reasons that can lead to a cat chewing on cardboard. In most cases, you don’t have to worry because it is surely a harmless habit. Here are some of the most common causes why your cat is chewing on cardboard boxes:

To Relieve Boredom

No two felines are the same. Therefore, it is nearly impossible to make rock-solid rules about their behavior. It’s a possibility that your little furball is bored and wants to play with cardboard. They are probably enjoying the rough texture of cardboard and exploring its sound.

Marking Habit

We all know cats like to mark their territory. Besides a specific place, cats also make their owners, favorite toys, and many other things. If your cat is excessively chewing on cardboard, they are probably marking it as their own.

Cats have an impressive sense of smell. According to studies, their sense of smell is fourteen times stronger than humans. Therefore, they try to rub their face against other objects to leave a familiar scent.

Teething and Health Concern

Felines use their strong teeth to drink and eat, so chewing on cardboard might feel good. Just like humans, a teething milestone can bring a lot of pain and irritation to your little feline. If your kitten’s adult teeth are coming out, they will chew on cardboard to get comfort.

Predatory Instincts

Cats are hunters by nature. They have both curiosity and a strong sense of smell that can drive them to discover the new world. For cats, licking, chewing and scratching on cardboard stimulate instinctual behavior. Once your feline finds its new target, it will automatically stop chewing on cardboard.

How to Stop My Cat from Eating Cardboard?

Eating cardboard is surely not an ideal thing for a cat. Cardboards don’t offer any nutritional benefits, and they might be loaded with germs and bacteria. Therefore, you should try to discourage this behavior in cats.

To stop your feline from eating cardboard, you can redirect their behavior. Distract them with their favorite toy or offer them some treats. You can also play with them to stop this action. Another approach is to remove the boxes or use scent and taste deterrents.

Final Verdict

Cats chewing on cardboard is quite common. Several reasons can lead to this behavior, such as predatory instincts, marking, teething and more. However, if you are wondering, can cats eat cardboard? Then the answer is, NO!