Cat eating things other than food

Question
Help, my finicky eater Barnabas (siamese mix) is starting to gnaw on carpet,paper,cardboard,etc...He's currently on meds for a UTI, could this be what he's responding to?
He gets alot of attention and has a step-sister Ruthie (calico) six month old that hes plays with periodically throughout the day.


Answer
Lee,

I am not a vet and do not know what meds Barnabus is on.  However, if that is all that has changed, it is a good bet it is a reaction to the meds.  Fortunately, the acute stage of UTI is cured within a couple of weeks, so, hopefully, once Barnabus is off the meds, his eating habits should return to normal.

Another explanation, depending on age, is that he may be teething which will also result in gnawing on all kinds of things.  This too shall pass before too, too long.

It is not unusual for cats to gnaw on wool and shred paper or cardboard.

One thing you may want to do is to give your cats distilled water rather than tap water.

Best regards... Norm.