Wool sucking and pica - consuming non-food materials - are compulsive behaviours that cause welfare concerns through injury risk and underlying anxiety. Early intervention and environmental enrichment are most effective.
Wool sucking and pica indicate underlying anxiety or compulsive tendencies and represent a welfare concern in affected cats. Beyond the behaviour itself, consumption of non-food materials risks intestinal obstruction requiring emergency surgery. Early identification, addressing potential anxiety through environmental enrichment, and removing access to consumed materials prevents escalation and reduces welfare risk.