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Wendi lu who asked in PetsCats · 1 decade ago

Does anyone know why a cat might lick a shower curtain?

My male cat licks the shower curtain liner. He also licks paper, rugs, hardwood floor, toes (with and without socks), and maybe a few other odd things. Why?

Update:

He also chews shopping bags and bits of fabric that I have tied in knots so he can't eat them.

12 Answers

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  • Kris L
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    I had a cat who simply LOVED to lick plastic bags, and searched everywhere to find the 'right answer' ... which is that it is just one of those 'weird things cats do' ... and your cat seems to be doing this 'licking' to 'get a good smell/taste shot' of what it is that he's licking ... so as long as he's not EATING the stuff, let him 'lick' to his heart's content. He's NORMAL.

  • 5 years ago

    Weird Shower Curtains

  • 1 decade ago

    I think it's the salt content that each of these things may have. Also some animals just like to lick, my cat licks the shower curtain too it's a bizarre thing but animals know what to not do so don't worry about it!

  • 1 decade ago

    All cats have sences in the nose, whiskers, and on there tongues. Also some located on the roof of there mouths. An animal will like things (all kinds of weird things) for placement of thier scent, to find the scent, and to get familiar with the texture of something. If it becomes a constant habit or licks continously, then contact a vet for there might be something missing in the diet.

    Source(s): vet tech training
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  • 1 decade ago

    My cat likes to sneak into the bathtub and lick the water beads, I have never noticed if he licks the shower curtain. I will keep an eye out for that.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    My male cat George, has a thing for plastic as well. He will lick, smell, taste and nibble on just about anything plastic (bags, wrappers, ect.). I think he just likes the feel of it. He won't eat it, but will rub his mouth all over it, lick it ect. I'm not sure why they do it.

  • 1 decade ago

    It seems like he's just got a craving for different smells and flavors, and he's a bit more adventurous in that way than cats usually are. It shouldn't be a problem as long as he doesn't lick anything harmful/poisonous.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    heehee weird cat actually not so weird

    Some cats get fetishes, I have one client who's burmese is obsessed with leather & plastic and likes to lick and chew shoes, bag handles, power cords.

    The shower curtain is probably for the water and salt from your body (same for toes)

    the others must be the texture?!?!?!

    Source(s): Vet tech
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    One of my cats licks all sorts of things like a puppy dog. Cats are pretty weird sometimes!! I would'nt worry he likes plastic a lot too but make sure he doesnt swallow any!!

  • 1 decade ago

    If he is doing it obsessively, you may want to take him for a checkup. If it seems like it is just a "hobby" though, then I wouldn't worry about it.

    Just be careful he doesn't actually eat anything like that. My cat George did, and the bill was about $800 to get him all fixed up.

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