Bitter apple or hot sauce sprays can discourage your cat from chewing certain items. My girlfriend has a lot of cats on her farm and has never had any of them bite on furniture. However, cats who chew on wood aren't just being weird, they could have a condition called pica that can be life-threatening. If he enjoys being groomed, then have regular grooming sessions every day at the same time. Most dogs go through a chewing phase during puppyhood. My husband and I are both at home most of the day, and he gets a lot of attention. Not only does chewing damage the wood, but it can also create problems for the horse such as causing undue wear on the incisors and the chance of splinters being lodged in the mouth or swallowed. One note though: purchase a small chew toy. Offer him chew toys. Chewing on cords may be your cat's way to try to relieve the pain. You can try to put hard plastic over the area that is being chewed. Obsessive-compulsive disorder, nutritional deficiencies and early weaning all are possible medical causes for chewing. There are a few common reasons that cats chew things. These include: providing your cat with other more acceptable items to chew, a consistent schedule, more environmental enrichment and play. Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. In my opinion, training is the best solution to stop your dog from chewing your stuff. “Cats have to chew on their prey to disassemble the bodies and eat. Start by providing your cat with other more acceptable items to chew, such as safe, dental chew toys or cat-safe chicken or turkey jerky. Additionally, the nubs can help clean its teeth. Get some mineral (preferably loose), with P in it, and set it out for them to have on a daily basis. Cats with medical conditions may start to eat things like wood, although vets aren't sure why this behavior develops. Siamese cats who chew or suck on wool fall into this category. Dogs don’t just chew your home to be destructive, they do it because they are bored or stressed and need an outlet. While your cat will occasionally gnaw on her tail while grooming herself, frequently doing so isn't normal behavior. We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. Cats with pica eat things they shouldn't, such as wood, wool or rubber bands. Many cats chew on household items out of boredom. Feed him at the same times every day. A cat with gum disease may gnaw on things to soothe its mouth, and a cat with a digestive issue may chew and drool on things to help with nausea. Abscesses: When sticks and wood are chewed, hundreds of tiny pieces are floating around the mouth. Clicker training, a positive-based training method, can also help to focus your cat away from the furniture. Boredom, anxiety, or compulsive disorder. 3. With the right preparedness and training, hopefully, your best shoes can be avoided as a teething device. Cats with feline immunodeficiency virus, … She thinks it must be a diet deficiency.A: From your description, it sounds like your cat is exhibiting a behavior called pica. Cats chew for a variety of reasons; they chew when they are playing with their toys and sometimes chew when they are grooming their fur. When a young cat is cutting teeth or they have a sore gum, they usually chew on stuff to ease the discomfort. They may have periodontal disease (gum disease), tooth abscess (infection), loose or broken teeth, or any other dental health issue. 3. Puppy Training 101: Your Guide to Mastering Basic Puppy Training, How to Bond With Your New Dog to Become Besties for Life. You can also use a water sprayer to spritz the cat whenever he or she is caught chewing. Often, veterinarians will prescribe medication along with behavior modification for cats suffering with pica challenges. A lot of cat owners bring up the idea of using dog chews like rawhide and special chewing bones and sticks that are made for dogs. Cats with feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukemia or diabetes may develop pica. And the premise of many dental treats, the benefits of kibble for better oral hygiene, etc. Pica may be genetic for some cats. It’s a behavior that can very easily enter other areas of a cat’s life.” Cats may chew on everything from plastic bags and wires to wood and certain types of fabrics. However, destructive chewing, such as around window or door frames, can be a sign of separation anxiety. Environmental enrichment will help divert your cat away from his chewing obsession as well. Puzzle boxes that he can’t munch are also good to use, since treats and other favorite items can be hidden in them; try a cat puzzle toy. These tiny pieces can become lodged in the … Caitlin UltimoSeptember 23, 2010Training / Training Tips. Most canine experts are in agreement as to the top reason behind dogs chewing or sucking their blankets and bedding. You can also purchase "cat greens" at pet supply stores. Dunn holds a degree from UCSF and formerly worked as professional chef. Make sure to … Provide your cat with lots of interactive toys he can’t chew and swallow such as TurboScratchers and other ball and tract toys. I have a 2-year-old neutered/ declawed Siamese cat. What It Means if Cats Are Chewing on Wood, Cat Channel: My Cat Is Biting the Wood Furniture. My cat is chewing the furniture….what can I do? Why do dogs chew on wood? Chew toys can be an easy and effective ways to solve obsessive chewing. This can even lead to dental abscesses. He bites the corners of all of our wood furniture throughout the house. Timed feeding stations are commercially available that will dispense meals on a regularly timed basis. This behavior needs to be taken seriously since biting, chewing and ingesting inedible objects such as the household furniture can result in life-threatening intestinal obstructions. Here are some reasons why your cat might be chewing … It is important that the jerky contains no spices of any kind. Some breeds, like Birmansand Siamese Cats, are more likely to chew on wool than other breeds. It is important that you take your cat to his veterinarian for an evaluation. This could … I have never used anti-chew sprays. Unlike dogs, which are notorious for their love of chewing, cats aren't particularly known for nibbling on much other than food. Some dogs continue to chew, even on things that weren’t intended to be toys or treats. Why Is My Sweet Kitten Biting Me—and How Do I Stop It? Among other objects, cardboard boxes give them a tactical feel as well as something they can actually chew it into pieces. However, if the chewing becomes uncontrollable, you need to find out the reasons why your cat is chewing and look for possible solutions. If your cat is tearing up more than just cardboard I would definitely recommend reading my piece about how we got our eldest cat, Beau, to stop chewing on absolutely everything ! Dunn has ghostwritten thousands of blog posts, newsletter articles, website copy, press releases and product descriptions. Boredom chewing can also be a sign that your cat has Pica, however, Pica usually also includes chewing on garbage, plastics and other objects. My kitty (12-years old) has been to see several vets, (emergency, my regular vet, and the animal hospital at the University) due to weight loss, loss of appetite, projectile vomiting, and lethargy. Likewise, give your pet something else to chew, such as cat jerky or cat dental chews. Use a fishing pole toy to engage your cat in at least two rigorous play sessions a day, once in the morning and another at night. Having one of these to chew on may help with the wood chewing problem. This behavior needs to be taken seriously since biting, chewing and ingesting inedible objects such as the household furniture can result in life-threatening intestinal obstructions. Move things that would be dangerous for the cat to chew, such as electric cords, away from your pet's level, or close the door to the room so your cat can't chew wood furniture. These items can cause your pet intestinal blockages that could threaten your kitty's life. Cats with medical conditions may start to eat things like wood, although vets aren't sure why this behavior develops. My cats chew on metal and wood. Question: My Cat Is Doing An Odd Chewing Motion With Nothing In His Mouth by Cheryl (Minneapolis, MN). In cats, chewing on things that aren't food is generally considered to be an abnormal condition called "pica." Cats do strange things, which owners often shrug off. Controlling the Chewing Behavior Keep items the cat wants to chew out of its reach. Purchase a small enough chew toy for your cat to actually chew on. But I believe in preventing the chewing before it happens. Namely my coffee tables, iron - Answered by a verified Cat Vet. Cats may chew on anything, starting from furniture and walls to clothes and shoes. Try cat-proofing to keep your pet safe while you're away. If your pet gets preoccupied with these safe chews, he's less likely to eat wood. Cats that chew compulsively may chew on furniture, rugs, and other household items and also chew their skin to where it is irritated. Terms of Use Privacy Policy Interest-Based AdsChewy Careers, Leashing Training a Cat 101: A Complete Guide to Getting Outside, How to Stop a Cat From Biting You—and Teach Them to Play Nice. What Can I Give My Cat to Chew On And Things to Avoid. He specializes in developing informational articles on topics including food, nutrition, fitness, health and pets. Dividing up kitty's meals into several smaller meals throughout the day may distract him from munching wood. Pica behaviors can be caused by a number of factors, including dietary, medical or behavioral. “, I spoke about the reason why kibble is more or less unlikely to actually help with a cat’s dental problems – cats don’t chew their food! Veterinary Notes For Cat Owners; Trevor Turner, Jean Turner; 2012. It's a behavior that can very easily enter other areas of a cat's life.” Cats may chew on everything from plastic bags and wires to wood and certain types of fabrics. The nubs give your cat a physical sensation from chewing, without the destructive results of a chewing on wires. If you want to know how to stop a puppy from chewing on wood, chew toys designed to ease teething pains might just be what you need to solve the problem. If possible, feed him lots of small meals throughout the day. 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