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Why Does My Cat Like Q-Tips? (5 Top Reasons)

If you have noticed your cat playing or chewing on your Q-Tps you may be wondering why this is happening and if this is normal behavior…

Why does my cat like Q-Tips?

Cats like Q-tips for several reasons such as they are great to play with, ideal weight, roll around when they push them and don’t fight back. Some cats just like to grab and play with them however, some cats take it further and try to eat them which is a problem.

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So, now you know. But, are these Q-Tips dangerous for cats? Why do some cats eat them? Can they be used in cat’s ears? Keep reading for these answers, and much more…

5 top reasons why cats like Q-Tips:

In the previous section, I mentioned, briefly, a few reasons why your cat may like Q-Tips. Therefore, in this section, I will share more reasons why and greater detail about each one:

01. Like to play

Some cats just like to play with these Q-Tips because they are fun for them. They may have no intention of taking it further, such as eating them (more on this later). They may just enjoy pushing them around.

You may even see them moving a couple, or a few at a time just for the fun of it. If you do see it playing with them it’s worth keeping an eye on them in case it tries to eat or put it in its mouth.

02. Their weight

Because these Q-Tips are so light you may find this as a reason for your cat to be attracted to them. Why? Simple, they can pick them up and throw them around with ease.

03. They roll when they push them

Cats seem to like these Q-Tips because of their shape as well. This is because they can easily push and roll them around. Another great benefit is when they roll them they do not object as a mouse would.

Also, if you have hardwood floors they will slide across the surface with ease allowing them to chase after them.

04. They can chew them

Another benefit of these Q-Tips, in your cat’s opinion, is the fact that they are small and chewy. However, this may seem good to them at the time, but long term this can be a real issue if they ingest one (more on this later).

05. They don’t fight back

Lastly, these Q-Tips can be played with all day long and they do not fight back. This is great for cats who just want to play with them and walk off when they are done.

What are Q-Tips?

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Q-Tips are a well-known brand of cotton swabs, or also known as cotton buds. They have 2 balls of cotton wool tightly packed at each end of a rod. This rod on these cotton buds is typically quite small and can be made out of one of a few materials, depending on which type you get.

They are used for various reasons such as cleaning ears, swabs, medical usage, a tool for cosmetics, etc. However, they are most commonly known for cleaning ears. But, some say they are not ideal for this purpose.

Are Q-Tips dangerous to cats?

Q-Tips can be dangerous for cats if they chew and swallow them. They may not choke from it but small pieces can be ingested that can cause issues as it flows through their system.

For this reason, it’s wise to keep your cat away from them if you have them in your home for your usage. It’s the same as if you had a baby, you wouldn’t want them playing with them, right?

Why does my cat eat Q-Tips?

Your cat may eat Q-Tips because of its size and material. Meaning, for them, they are small enough to get into their mouth easily and they can chew on them.

For this reason, they can easily chew and swallow one either on purpose or by accident. Some cats have an obsession with eating non-food items, this is commonly known as Pica.

How can I prevent my cat from getting my Q-Tips?

If you have Q-Tips in your home and have seen your cat chewing on them, or you are worried about them doing this here are some ways you can try and prevent it from happening:

01. Place your trash can inside a closet

If you find that your cat is fishing these Q-Tips out of your bin then you can get around this by placing your trash can in a closet. Therefore you can keep it behind a closed door so it can’t rummage through your trash to get it.

The reality is, it does not have to be a closet. It could easily be placed behind any closeable, or lockable door.

02. Lock them in a cabinet

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If you have a box of Q-Tips and you are sick and tired of your cat helping itself to them, or concerned it will find them, then you should consider locking them in a cabinet.

You can get lockable cabinets (Click here to see the reviews, on Amazon #Ad) that will keep them well away from it. The good thing is it can be used for other things like keeping medication away from your kids, cat, or other pets, etc.

03. Close the room door

Lastly, you can simply keep the door room closed where these Q-Tips are stored. Obviously, this largely depends on your home layout, but if it works in your home this is an easy option.

Can I use Q-Tips in a cat’s ear?

It is not a good idea to use Q-Tips or any type of cotton buds in your cat’s ear. The concern is, if used incorrectly, they could hurt your cat’s ears.

If you are keen on cleaning your cat’s ears there are wipes that you can get (Click here to see the reviews, on Amazon #Ad) that are made for this. Or consult your vet for their help or advice.

Why does my cat dig Q-Tips out of the garbage?

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Some cats really love these Q-Tips. So much so that they may start digging through your garbage and trash can. This can be a major problem because these cotton buds are small and are often in the bottom.

Meaning, your cat will typically empty the entire trash can to get to the small Q-Tip at the bottom. If this is s an ongoing issue with you consider a trash can with a simple step system (Click here to see the reviews, on Amazon #Ad), this will make it difficult for your cat to get into it.

What shall I do if my cat eats a Q-Tip?

If your cat eats a Q-Tip and you are concerned it’s best to take it to the vet to be sure. In some cases, they may swallow it in chewed-up pieces and it passes through without an issue.

However, if you notice it vomiting, or refusing to it it’s advisable to get to the vets immediately to be safe.

Is it bad for cats to play with Q-tips?

It’s not a good idea to let your cat play with Q-Tips or any cotton swab. This is because there is a chance that they may start chewing or swallowing it. And you may not see it happening.