Second, be certain that the cat has plenty of play periods with the owners, or even a playmate to keep it exercised and occupied. Making food more difficult to obtain by placing large rocks in the food dish encourages the cat to “forage”. Feeding dry and high fiber foods or dental foods and dental treats may also be helpful. A well-cooked bone with some gristle and meat could be considered, provided the cat is well supervised and sucks and gnaws on the bone without causing it to splinter.
Some cats may be interested in one of the many chew toys or chew treats designed primarily for dogs. The first step in correction is to provide alternative objects for chewing and sucking. Although some cats do grow out of the problem within a few years, the problem may remain for life. Sucking on wool or other fabrics may be seen occasionally in any cat, but is most commonly a problem of Burmese and Siamese cats, or Oriental mix breeds. What can I do for my cat that sucks on wool and fabrics? lettuce, parsley) in the food, or by planting a small kitty herb garden for chewing. In some cats the desire for chewing plant material can best be satisfied by providing some greens (e.g. Some cats may be interested in chewing on dog toys or biscuits, and feeding a dry cat food may help satisfy some cats need to chew. Placing rocks or gravel in the soil, mothballs, or a maze of wooden skewers can help to keep the cat from climbing on, digging in, or eliminating in the soil. The best solution is to keep the cat away from household plants whenever the cat cannot be supervised. String and thread, electric cords, plastic bags, twist ties, and pins and needles are just a few of the objects that cats may chew or swallow resulting in intestinal foreign bodies and possibly the need for surgery.Īnother common target of feline chewing is houseplants. (See our handouts ‘Behavior management products’). When this is not possible the cat may need to be confined to a cat proof room, or the problem areas may have to be booby-trapped. Next, potential targets of the cat’s chewing should be kept out of reach. (See our handout on ‘Feline play and investigative behaviors’). The first step is to ensure that the cat has appropriate opportunities and outlets for play, scratching, climbing, chewing and exploration. Not only can this lead to damage or destruction of the owner’s possessions, but some chewing can be dangerous to the cat. Feline Destructive Chewing And Sucking Veterinary Behavior Articles Feline Destructive Chewing And Sucking What can I do to stop my cat from chewing?ĭuring exploration and play, kittens (and some adult cats) will chew on a variety of objects.For example, a cat who lives in a multi-cat household where there is friction and tension might have found that chewing on plastic is a coping mechanism. For some cats, chewing is a stress-relieving behaviour. Cats who are left home alone for too long and lack adequate stimulation and play opportunities are more vulnerable to boredom-related behaviours. A cat who has very little environmental enrichment or stimulation could chew on plastic bags out of boredom. However, it could be more of a serious issue if your cat is drawn to licking or chewing the plastic bags, and it could be indicative of a behavioural or medical condition. Others say that cats could be drawn to carrier bags because they have retained the smell of some of the rather tasty groceries that you’ve just purchased, such as a cooked chicken - a scent that would be difficult for most cats to resist! Or it could be that the cat likes the rustling sound, which may provide additional fun and stimulation. Some theorists suggest that plastic bags are made with animal fat, which stops the bags sticking together, and it could be this that attracts cats. Many cats are drawn to licking and chewing carrier bags, and this behaviour still largely baffles vets and cat owners alike.