My cat is licking metal. Is she missing minerals or has a health issue?

Pets can certainly exhibit some odd behaviors. If you are feeding a commercial diet that is AAFCO Certified, it is unlikely he is suffering any deficiencies. These diets are tested and certified to meet all the nutritional needs of pets. It may be related to the novelty of the texture. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.

It's very rare for a cat to eat his own poop and the fact that he is also licking the walls make me suspect that he might be suffering from some sort of mineral or vitamin deficiency. i would recommend to take him to the vet for a checkup and in order to have a blood test done, hopefully this will help diagnose the condition.

This is problem (called pica commonly) is sometimes related to anemic state or metabolic disorder (hyperthyroidism for example). Considering there is hyperactivity as well related to it I would recommend a check up and possibly a blood test to investigate further this clinical sign. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

This can be due to a nutritional or vitamin deficiency, or a serious disease like feline leukemia or kidney disease. Have Smog checked out by a vet to make sure everything is healthy, and feed him a high quality kitten food.

Licking can be a compulsive behavior in cats, but the answer to your question depends on whether you are talking about your cat licking himself or routine household objects. When cats lick themselves excessively, that's often referred to as "over-grooming," and it's usually in response to itchiness or pain. When cats lick objects, like the floor or furniture, it's often a sign of gastrointestinal disease, and I would look for intestinal parasites or other problems, like inflammatory bowel disease.

This does seem like a strange behavior but I wouldn’t be too overly concerned about it. Your cat may have smelled something on the sheet and she was just interested in it. As long as she isnotherwose acting normally, eating and drinking well, and usingnher litter box then I would not be to concerned.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It should be fine if he licks it but ingesting too much could be harmful (obstruction). I’d consider having Micole examine by your Vet and some blood work done. Pica can be a sign of an underlying condition, deficiency or inflammatory bowel disease. I hope this helps!