NationStates Jolt Archive

For anyone who knows something about cats and/or photography, please explain this:

We have one of those digital camera printers, and we have an open pack of the blank picture sheets to print on. Eloise, one of my two cats, jumps up and every chance she gets, licks the surface of them.

What's on the sheet that makes her lick it? :confused:

They're dumb animals. Duh! :rolleyes:

I don't have any idea what it is but cats and dogs alike will eat or drink anything they think smells good. (i.e. they'll drink antifreeze) Even if it could make them sick. You should try to keep things like this in an enclosed box. There are all kinds of plastic bins that snap or lock shut available to you. Another option is to use a number of different repellents that are sold at pet stores. Bitter-apple root is one that worked for my cats.

What's on the sheet that makes her lick it?

I'm not sure. Could you lick it yourself and tell me what it tastes like?

If it tastes like cat spit, try licking a fresh piece.

Your cat might be short of salt. Try giving her some vegemite. If you don't have any of that life giving substance on hand, you can try a smorgasboard of food you've dragged out of your fridge, including beer. You might hit upon something that contains whatever it is she is craving.

It's posible that she is having cravings because she is pregnant. Are there any pregnant women on this forum who have craving for digital photo paper? If so, how do you usually prepare it?

put crushed red peppers on a sheet of paper on top of the licked item, when the cat next jumps up there, it will sniff it, and never want to go up there again....or you could have a mexican cat and have more problems after that....

It depends on what type of paper it is and what is in it I guess. Many places use a minute ammount of corn flour to stop the paper from sticking together. Don't worry, your cat is not alone: Link (http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf998044.tip.html) If it gets sick then stop it, otherwise I don't see the harm. They might have even sprayed it with lavander to make it smell nice and cats love lavander (it's also called catnip).

[edit]Also some cats might enjoy the texture

I've usually found that asking why a cat does anything is pointless. Cats do what they do because they want to do so. ;)

In all seriousness, it could be anything from the chemicals on the paper to the feeling of it as the cat licks it (seriously, mine used to lick any type of strap and the vet said he probably just liked that feeling).

I'd probably just store it out of the cat's way and see what chemcials are on it and if they are harmful to kitty life.

she does it because she's a cat and cats are evil

Some cats like to lick plastic. I think it's the texture.

Don't let her though, it's not good for them. Put the paper somewhere she can't get to.

My cat will usually just sit on that sort of thing, especially if it's on a carpeted floor. For some reason, cats seem to enjoy sitting on parts of floor that are different from the rest of the floor.

It depends on what type of paper it is and what is in it I guess. Many places use a minute ammount of corn flour to stop the paper from sticking together. Don't worry, your cat is not alone: Link (http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf998044.tip.html) If it gets sick then stop it, otherwise I don't see the harm. They might have even sprayed it with lavander to make it smell nice and cats love lavander (it's also called catnip).

[edit]Also some cats might enjoy the texture
lavendar is catnip?

I thought they were two different things.

I'm not sure. Could you lick it yourself and tell me what it tastes like?

If it tastes like cat spit, try licking a fresh piece.
/me falls over laughing :p

I would assume that there is a chemical on the surface of the paper that aids ink in sticking to a glossy surface.

Read: Be on the safe side and don't let your cat lick it.

Just go on their website and see if they have any warnings duh :)