Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/My cat eats my hair

Advertisement

Expert: Dear Tabbi - 4/10/2009


Question
One of my cats likes to eat my hair while I sleep.  She wakes me up with the "smacking" of her feeding and I end up with short strands of hair in my usually mid-back length hair!  I know this isn't good for either her or my hair, how can I get her to stop?

Answer
Tami,

NO, that is NOT healthy for the cat. The hair can get wrapped around her intestines or cause a fatal blockage.

That behavior is more common to the Siamese or Oriental breeds, but it can be exhibited by any breed. It can be a sign of affection and a way of the cat 'grooming you', like she would a kitten. Some say it is an anxiety/emotional problem, or possibly because the kitten was weaned too early. It may also be that the cat needs a high fiber diet. There is medication for a cat's anxiety. You would have to speak to your vet about it.

I would play with the cat before you go to bed (a pet laser light is great for that) so that the cat gets tired. Then feed the cat a can of catfood. Being tired and having a full tummy should help the cat sleep. As for your hair, I would find creative ways to keep it covered, braided, or put up, where the cat won't have any temptation.

Tabbi  

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Dear Tabbi

Expertise

My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.

Experience

Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).

Education/Credentials
***********

Awards and Honors
* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.