Cat Licking Coal

[3kidsaremorethanenough]

Hi, just wondering, is this something I should be worried about? He's never done it before and he loves his fire, lies up in front of it and neve r before has paid any attention to the coal bucket. I'm just after coming into the room (lit the fire early) and his face is all black from where he stuck his head into the bucket. I know if pregnant women crave coal they're deficient in something, is it the same for cats?

Thanks

The coal addict

No advice OP I'm afraid but your post has reminded me that one of my three childhood cats used to lick the coal. She was mostly white and used to climb inside the coal bunker outside the back of the house! Obviously then she was mostly grey. Little sod. She lived until she was 17 though 😻

When my cat started eating weird things it was due to anaemia.

According to google is could be an odd habit or as a pp says it could be anemia - so probably worth getting checked out.

Same. Dont want to worry you but I’d get bloods done. My dear cat started licking concrete. He was extremely unwell.

Oh jeez I'll get him checked out at the vets then so. He has been licking the leather sofa lately too, I'm a bit worried now 😌

Thanks everyone for the quick responses

Ah FizzyStream, she sounds like she was just lovely 😍

Just wanted to update in case anyone has a coal addicted kitty!
Took him to the vets today. They did a thorough examination and all seems fine, said his eyes and gums good colour but his breath is a bit stinky so they're going to do a dental clean and take bloods next week. Vet thinks he's just a bit on the nosey side and likes to lick stuff to explore (he was licking the vets table when we were there!) So fingers crossed its just a habit and all will be well. Thanks for the advice everyone

Great to hear the update. I didn’t mean to panic you but in my gorgeous cats case it was a bad sign.
your cat sounds like she’s just enjoying herself and exploring but now I would always check these things with a vet.
they are a worry as well as a joy I find!
good luck next week and I’m sure she’s fine x

Good that he’s getting his teeth sorted though. My childhood kitten was a chinchilla Persian whos breeder used coal and he used to roll in the coal scuttle. He should’ve been an alley cat not a pedigree.

I’m very surprised that the vet didn’t do a blood test there and then. I don’t want to worry you but my vet tried to dismiss my cat eating her litter as a “funny little thing”. Blood tests showed anaemia and she has since been diagnosed with a condition called IMHA.