"pica" refers to a craving or behavior of eating non-food items, such as dirt, chalk, or ice. It is considered an abnormal eating disorder that can be harmful to a person's health. Full definition
Featuring contributions by the likes of Amalia Pica, Cory Arcangel, Ryan Trecartin, Yoko Ono, and Lawrence Weiner, do it: the compendium is intended not only as a record of this historic project — which Obrist conceived with artists Christian Boltanski and Bertrand Lavier in 1993 — but as an iteration of the exhibition itself, with 80 new scores. (artnews.com)
Swallowing string is not only a symptom of pica in cats, many cats will ingest string that do not eat other non food items. (best-cat-art.com)
Answer: Many Dogs Have This Odd Habit Called Pica Of Eating Dirt, Litter, Etc.. (1800petmeds.com)