Why does my cat chew on plastic or fabric?
Chewing and sucking on non-food materials, sometimes called wool sucking when it targets fabric specifically, shows up more in certain breeds (Siamese and other Oriental breeds especially) and is thought to relate to early weaning, a redirected nursing instinct, boredom or genuine anxiety. It is different from a cat mouthing a new object once out of curiosity. The real danger is swallowing: plastic bags, string, rubber bands and fabric pieces can cause a genuine intestinal blockage, which is a surgical emergency, not something that passes on its own most of the time. Removing access to the specific materials she targets is the first, most reliable fix.
When to call a vet: If you ever suspect she has actually swallowed a piece rather than just chewed it, that is an emergency vet visit, not a wait-and-watch situation.
