Comments on: CatFilter: why does my cat keep trying to bust into my chewable pepto-bismol?

Question: CatFilter: why does my cat keep trying to bust into my chewable pepto-bismol?

media_itoku — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 08:25:20 -0800

CatFilter: why does my cat keep trying to bust into my chewable pepto-bismol? She will roll around on the floor in front of it like it's catnip and chew on the plastic packaging if I don't stop her. And no, of course I don't let her get it!

By: amyms

amyms — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 09:00:48 -0800

Maybe she has a tummy ache? I'm not trying to sound silly, Pepto-Bismol is approved for use in humans and pets, although it should be used with great caution in cats. Maybe your cat instinctively knows (by the smell, perhaps) that the product could help her?

By: B(oYo)BIES

B(oYo)BIES — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 09:04:43 -0800

I doubt your cat is seeking medical attention, but I do imagine that there is something in the Pepto that has peaked her senses. Open the bottle and let her sniff one. She may try to lick it, but I am guessing that that will be the end of the Pepto-capades.

By: AlliKat75

AlliKat75 — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 09:06:28 -0800

I don't know about the pepto part, however, my cat loves to chew on plastic! He will not drink milk, will not eat tuna, will not even try to sneak a lick of ice cream off your cone, but he will go after plastic like it is catnip. I have no idea what that's all about.

By: pracowity

pracowity — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 09:08:53 -0800

I could give you a very long list of stuff our cat likes to eat that is not cat food. And he licks plastic bags.

If your cat likes the smell of Pepto-Bismol, maybe it's the medicine itself or maybe it's the packaging. Either way, put it away so the cat doesn't make herself sick.

By: Green Eyed Monster

Green Eyed Monster — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 09:16:49 -0800

Yeah. It's the plastic packaging. All my cats have loved it. I also had one that enjoyed licking photographs. Cats are nutty.

By: jennydiski

jennydiski — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 09:18:52 -0800

My cat snaffled my vitamin d capsule recently. Hasn't died yet, but we fight for it every morning when I put it on my desk. Also goes insane for valerian root. And melon...And salted peanuts.

By: madpogue

madpogue — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 09:43:06 -0800

Yup, it's the packaging, and here's why: A lot of plastic bags/packages are coated with micro-thin layers of (are you ready) animal oils such as fish oil. Even the bags you get at the grocery store ("paper or plastic?") often have it; it helps the nice person bagging your stuff separate the bags.

Hm, photos; I'll bet it's the same thing. A lot of photographic emulsion (for both the film and the paper) is from animal gelatin.

By: Good Brain

Good Brain — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 11:22:04 -0800

I've known a number of cats that have an affection for mint-like substances (catnips is a member of the mint family). One of our cats used to go crazy for my mother's mentholated cigarettes. Pepto has some minty notes.

I also know a lot of cats that like crinkly things, so the cellophane is probably an attraction too.

By: lampoil

lampoil — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 11:54:38 -0800

Yes, cats love mint. Mine goes after cough drops. Chewable pepto tastes like wintergreen.

Ever gotten in your cat's face after brushing your teeth with minty toothpaste? They try to climb in your mouth.

By: goethean

goethean — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 12:03:33 -0800

I've heard the photograph thing is silver nitrate.

By: loiseau

loiseau — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 13:47:58 -0800

lampoil: Ever gotten in your cat's face after brushing your teeth with minty toothpaste? They try to climb in your mouth.

Ha! No sir. Mine physically recoil with lips a-curled. They haaaate mint.

By: emilyv

emilyv — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 14:44:50 -0800

I was wondering why one of my cats kept attacking the plastic bags from the grocery store. Now I know why! Thanks, madpogue.