You just spray it on the cords, and the taste deters the animals from chewing on them. 2011, Veterinary Psychopharmacology. It's funny I was just thinking about this the other day. Try again... Support wikiHow by Bengals are like Abyssinian cats. Can you help? Franny is an award-winning freelance writer who has been writing about cats since 1997. He is a rescue cat, so I have no idea what, "Knowing it could be from boredom helped a lot. I'm afraid deterrent will mess up my books. In order for clicker training to be effective, the click must be immediately followed by a treat for the animal, so it learns to associate the action and the click with a positive experience. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. Katherine A. Houpt. As cats grow older, their critical faculties start to fade. However, since cats explore with their mouths, they're going to chew on things. Here's a TCS article with tips to discourage the chewing: Kittens explore their world by mouthing objects with (OUCH!) G. M. Landsberg, W. L. Hunthausen, L. J. Ackerman. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? Always supervise your cat when allowing it to eat chicken wings or rawhide. How can I train my cat not to chew on electrical cords? Just needs more attention. What Can I Give My Cat to Chew On And Things to Avoid. If they have arthritis, their need to chew electrical cords could be due to the boredom of being unable to move properly, or for pain relief. Well with Beau it was obvious almost the second we got him. % of people told us that this article helped them. My Bengal will be two in January, and he has chewed up shoe strings, bedding (mine and his), his toys, and has left chew marks on my leather couch. If you don’t have access to an enclosed outdoor space, you can also use a harness and a leash for your cat when playing outdoors. For the kind of chewing behavior we're discussing here, the best way to discourage such behavior is to offer other "legal" chewing sources for your cat, e.g. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. I have tried everything, nothing works. You can also try placing some double-sided tape around the object, which will scare your cat away when it tries to go near it. How can I get my 8 month old kitten to stop chewing on everything and ive tried everything with him. Not necessarily! Katherine A. Houpt. Most kittens outgrow inappropriate chewing as they get older. This article has been viewed 253,735 times. It let me pinpoint the reason he was chewing on everything. Close! You can also sprinkle the post or pads with catnip to make them even more irresistible to your cat. If there's no underlying medical cause, chances are you've got a bored cat on your hands. Will my younger cat ever outgrow this? Ssscat is a motion-activated device that squirts out an odorless, harmless spray if the cat passes a certain threshold. End play sessions when they’re too rough. Cats that are experiencing stress—such as moving to a new home or a new baby in the house—are also more at risk to develop a compulsive chewing problem. Chewing accomplishes a number of things for a dog. So puppy-proof your home in the meantime, and focus on establishing your pack leadership so you can reign in chewing or any other unwanted behaviors over the long-term. He is an indoor cat, and we have a little dog and a toddler who keep him busy and active. As long as you keep the learning behavior from becoming a habit, your puppy should outgrow this chewing, too. By hiding treats in a few different rooms that are accessible to the cat, you can ensure that your pet stalks around these rooms searching for the treats rather than spending time getting bored and chewing on something it shouldn’t. ", "It told me stuff I needed to know about cats. Cats may chew on everything from plastic bags and wires to wood and certain types of fabrics. While much feline behavior is rooted in helping humans to survive--bringing in dead mice and birds for us to eat, for example--compulsive chewing brought on by a new arrival to the family is not. 2008. John Wiley & Sons. How can you prevent your cat from chewing when you are not around to stop it? Choose another answer! Oriental breeds of cats are more likely to develop a compulsive chewing problem. My cat chews every/anything. 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. More common are concerns about what your cat is chewing and what she may ingest. Destructive chewing is usually an issue with dogs, but sometimes a cat is a chewer. If a cat has undergone a major life change, like moving into a new home or having a new baby brought into the house, they may experience stress. There are specific ways to control the chewing even when you're not around to see it. Elsevier Health Sciences. A strong “no” at the same time will also help the cat learn that word. Domestic Animal Behavior for Veterinarians and Animal Scientists. In some instances, your vet might suggest medications to prevent your cat from hurting itself or someone else with its compulsive chewing. What should we do? 7. There's some mystery surrounding why cats choose electrical cords to chew on. How can I stop my cat from chewing cords? If it’s an older cat that is chewing on cords, there could be a combination of issues as to why they’re doing it. Risks of Destructive Chewing in Cats. Another option is to place the object on a “scat mat,” which is a product that delivers an electrical tingle into the cat’s paws when it steps on it. Still, if your cat isn't picky, you won't move everything you own into the closet. Bitter apple spray! ". If you're worried, there are many other toys and treats you can get your cat, but uncooked chicken wings should be fine. Although most often effective with dogs, clicker training can be used in cats. Cognitive Decline. How can I keep my 8 month old kitten from chewing on my fingers, shoelaces, and desk chair? Close! Dr. Smith is part of The Spruce Pets' veterinary review board. If she is playing too rough, make sure you are not using your hands to play with her - use a toy that gives plenty of distance between her mouth and your hands. $29.99. what can i do to discourage this behavior. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. He came from a reputable shelter at the age of 1 year and passed his vet exam with no concerns. How your vet treats a gastrointestinal ailment will depend on the severity and nature of the illness—a cat with a digestive problem will usually show more signs than just chewing that it is sick. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. Labradors were bred to be retrievers things with their mouths, and this means that the chewing phase can last a long time in Lab puppies. I figured he just liked chewing so I got him something that was simalar. We tried everything but nothing helps. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Is she biting you in play, or chewing on things (teething)? There is another reason this might occur. Keep in mind that your cat might be chewing because it's bored. S. L. Crowell-Davis and T. Murray. The good news is that, for many, it’s a stage that they will outgrow over time. Simple traps, like sticky tape or gross scents, can distract your cat from chewing. “Issues that could result from chewing include … Clear plastic drinking straws. Get him his own toys and play with him every day. Keep your sweaters hung or in drawers, as well as the socks; as for the bottle nipples, you can keep them in baggies in the silverware drawer until they're ready to be used! She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. While usually more of a nuisance, chewing electrical cords, toxic plants and containers with toxic chemicals, medications, and harmful human foods can cause big problems with a chewing cat. To stop this, give your cat plenty of toys to chew on, like a large stuffed toy or an old towel, and make sure you play with it every day using things like a dangling toy or laser pointer. My cats used to do that sometimes too. Toys that dispense treats are a great way to satisfy their hunting instincts. There's a lot you need to know to make things go smoothly with your new friend. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. How to Stop Your Cat From Chewing Electrical Cords, The 13 Best Christmas Gifts for Your Dog in 2020, 15 Purrfect DIY Halloween Costumes for Your Cat, How to Stop Your Cat From Spilling the Water Dish, Kitten Development in the First Six Weeks of Life, How to Stop Your Cat From Pawing the Floor After Eating. While the behavior on its own shouldn’t necessarily be cause for alarm—cats just sometimes like to chew on stuff—if a cat’s urge to chew becomes compulsive, it can lead to serious issues. Some of these plants can be extremely toxic to cats, and for your cat's safety, you need to learn to recognize and get rid of these plants. Our cat likes to chew hard metal, plastic, cardboard, or anything that is sticking out in his reach. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. $19.99. Try to give him crunchy or chewy treats and some sort of material he can chew on just for him. 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. S. L. Crowell-Davis and T. Murray. If a cat is chewing on objects, it might also mean that the chewing feels good to his teeth and jaws. A scratching post or cardboard scratch pads. If you enjoy playing with your kitten, but don’t like how rough they play back, try ending the session immediately after they bite too hard. Read on for another quiz question. chewable soft toys. There are a few possible medical conditions that may cause excessive chewing in cats, including teething in kittens. For older dogs, it’s nature’s way of keeping jaws strong and teeth clean. If your cat likes to chew inappropriate items, then you can use cat repellents such as bitter orange to stop your cat from doing that. You can get it online. He's bored and is looking for things to play with. We got her a mineral bar to chew on and the thing was gone in 2 days!.. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 253,735 times. Some breeds, like Birmansand Siamese Cats, are more likely to chew on wool than other breeds. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. However, the reason for a cat scratching the furniture, or performing other destructive behaviours, might be quite complex and may include anxiety about the environment. Some common examples include caladium, dumb cane, English ivy, lilies, mistletoe, oleanders, and philodendrons. needle-sharp teeth. Right now, she's chewing on a cardboard box playhouse my husband set up for my son. Hair scrunchies/bands, stuffed toys - he just constantly chews. Check this list of toxic plants to see if any of your houseplants are on it, then either discard or make those plants completely unavailable to your cat. Still, there are many other steps you can try first. How can I stop my cat from doing this? For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet, know the pet's health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet. References. It's common for kittens to chew, and most outgrow it, but your cat may need to be redirected if you see them chewing on things like … My cat is chewing on soft cloth and swallowing, he goes and my cat is chewing on soft cloth and swallowing, he goes and looks for socks, dish towels. The first week I had Beau I noticed he It's specifically made to stop animals from chewing on cords. You do have to be careful though, and remember to never give them a cooked chicken wing. Guess again! My other cat doesn't do this, she just kneads stuff with her paws and stuff but doesn't chew on stuff. Hiss at him every time he does it. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. John Wiley & Sons. My year-old cat loves to chew on wires. Continued Treatment for Your Cat’s Scratching, Licking, and Chewing. Eliminating parasites. Kittens start losing their baby teeth around 9 weeks of age, and from that time until their adult teeth are fully grown in at 5 to 6 months, you can count on lots of chewing action. There are 27 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Our cat is constantly chewing on our baby bottle nipples and supplies. unlocking this expert answer. It most likely isn't compulsive, however, and there's a more universal reason a cat might begin chewing when you bring a new baby into the house. Most dogs teethe when they are puppies. There’s a better option out there! i'm concerned if this behavior will block his intestines. What should we do? Until then, make use of your dog’s safe haven when you aren’t there to supervise, and you’ll set your pup up for success. While it's normal for cats to chew on things—even things that aren't meant to be chewed—sometimes, the behavior can get out of hand. Still, there's a more universal reason to never give your cat a cooked chicken wing. Eventually, the treat can be phased out. "Realizing my cat Belair chews because he wants more attention helped me. R.B., Prescott, Arizona. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Yes, They Do. This article has been viewed 253,735 times. Accidents do happen, of course. 2008. However, since cats … It reminded me of the turtle we had that was eating and swallowing whole shells! Correct! To handle the cord situation itself, you need to devise a way to cover the cords, discourage access to them, or make them unpalatable for chewing. Indoor cats especially with few grasses in their diet may simply chew on plants because they’re craving greens. Best Answer. It’s really a dual question, both determining what your cat can chew on, and what is not good for them to chew on. Through a combination of management and training methods, assisted by the natural aging process, your dog will outgrow their chewing phase and eventually earn full household access. annfrau / Getty Images. Reasons for Chewing . It's potentially dangerous to the cat, not to mention damaging to your belongings. Obsessive-compulsive disorder, nutritional deficiencies and early weaning all are possible medical causes for chewing. I'm not that concerned about the cardboard box but I'm wondering "Why does she do this?" The cat should outgrow the behavior, though – especially by the time it reaches double figures. To learn how to tell if your cat's chewing might be related to a medical issue, keep reading. Last Updated: August 1, 2020 Genes play a key role in this behavior, and there’s not much you can do about it besides making sure the behavior doesn’t become unhealthy. NONE. There's one item that works wonders with kittens' teething: plastic drinking straws, especially the large ones used for milkshakes. Kittens have no manners so you need to teach them good behavior while discouraging the bad ones. 2012, Domestic Animal Behavior for Veterinarians and Animal Scientists. Cat toys, a patch of grass inside, or a scratching post may all help. The bones in a cooked chicken wing can splinter and if your cat ingests them that could lead to a lot of trouble. Scratching is a normal cat behaviour and is used for both communication and keeping nails and muscles healthy. No wood chewing, no plastic chewing, no metal chewing, no mini blind chewing and no plant chewing! Read on for another quiz question. She usually avoids thick cords, but she's destroyed computer cables, headphone wires, and game-console connectors. For this reason, cat teeth are built for almost any level of chewing and rarely get harmed via this behavior. Use cat repellent such as bitter orange to discourage object chewing. Click on another answer to find the right one... Providing Enrichment to Reduce Boredom Chewing, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/97\/Stop-a-Cat-from-Chewing-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Stop-a-Cat-from-Chewing-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/97\/Stop-a-Cat-from-Chewing-Step-11.jpg\/aid20674-v4-728px-Stop-a-Cat-from-Chewing-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"