Answer: This habit of sucking or chewing woolen articles is common in certain strains of cats, particularly of the Siamese breed. In these individuals the behavior usually being around puberty and in most cases lasts only for a period between a few months and a year. But unfortunately, there are some cats that persist in this undesirable habit.
It is attributed to a combination of persistent juvenile behavior and boredom; such animals may groom themselves excessively and suck at their own tails, nipples or paws (self-sucking).
The presence of lanolin in wool appears to trigger their responses; they are very relaxed and contentedly suck at the wool whilst ‘kneading’ it with the feet – just as a kitten sucks at its mother while it simultaneously it with the feet – just as a kitten sucks at its mother while it simultaneously kneads the mammary gland.
Some cats progress to similar behavior with other natural and even man-made fibres and some chew off pieces of the material and swallow or intestines and having to be surgically removed. Some cats even suck and intestines and having to be surgically removed. Some cats even suck and chew at their owners’ hair or skin, nuzzling into the throat or armpit regions.
To curb this behavior suggestions include applying pepper or mustard powder to garments that are sucked, and fitting an Elizabethan collar to cats that regularly self-suckle. But regrettably, in some animals the habit is not easily broken whatever training method is adopted.
