Why do cats lick plastic bags?

It’s not random behavior, and it’s not “cute” either.

Most plastic bags are coated with fatty acids and chemical residues from manufacturing.

Cats have an extremely strong sense of smell, so these scents can be strangely attractive to them.

Other common reasons include:

• Stress or anxiety (licking works as self-soothing)

• Boredom or lack of stimulation

• Pica-like behavior, where cats lick or chew non-food items

• Sometimes even nutritional deficiencies

The real concern:

Plastic licking can turn into chewing or swallowing, which may cause:

• Choking

• Intestinal blockage

• Stomach irritation

What cat parents should do:

• Keep plastic bags out of reach

• Provide safe chewing alternatives

• Increase playtime and enrichment

• Talk to a vet if the behavior is frequent or obsessive

When you understand why cats do this, it becomes easier to protect them.