why is my cat suddenly chewing on everything

What should we do? Chewing is mentally stimulating for cats and can help boost their dental health by removing tartar buildup and promoting blood flow to the gums. 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. Depending on the material, your cat can get an upset stomach, an intestinal blockage that may require surgery, may eat something toxic or damage household items. ", http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/cats/cat_problem_solver/home.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/, http://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/cats-and-compulsive-scratching-licking-and-chewing, https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-behavior-problems-destructive-behavior, http://www.petsadviser.com/pet-health/why-is-my-cat-biting-his-fur-out/, https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/compulsive-behavior-cats, http://pets.webmd.com/features/keeping-indoor-cat-happy, http://pets.webmd.com/features/keeping-indoor-cat-happy?page=2. Sometimes natural remedies can be helpful.

Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). Wool sucking is when a cat simply sucks on bedding, but this behavior can become addictive and quickly transform into actually ingesting the materials. If your cat chews on other materials without the grinding or chewing action reminiscent of pica, there may be other factors contributing to this behavior and it is important to mention this to your vet. Oral health is important as many other illnesses can result from an infected or abscessed tooth. Prevent clicks on page when mobile menu is being shown. If theyre doing it when youre gone, it may be a sign that your cat needs something to do. Carrie holds a Bachelors degree in Biology from Northern Arizona University and a Masters degree in Companion Animal Behavior Analysis & Counseling from The American College of Applied Science. I brought her in for radiographs and it was apparent there was material in her GI tract. Purina offers formulas designed for your cat's unique needs and products that fit within your lifestyle. A motion-activated can of compressed air, sited beside the couch so it spritzes air when the cat jumps up, is one solution. For your cat's safety, it is wise to keep those plants away from them. The likely reason for this is cats will eat foods that smell or taste pleasing to them or perhaps they enjoy the feel and texture of what theyre eating. Hiding kibbles around their accessible areas can be helpful as well. If a cat's diet is deficient in certain nutrients, you should consult a pet nutritionist to find out more about your cat's nutritional needs. Another training method is to coat your cords in a cat-safe bitter spray to get your cat to associate cords with the terrible taste. Give them other options. Monitor their play and dont leave toys with strings or electrical components in their reach when unsupervised. You can also look into products that deliver a repellant spray via a motion sensor. A bored cat will look for something to do and that could include chewing and ingesting non-food items. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 266,793 times. 2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. 1150 40th Ave South

It let me pinpoint the reason he was chewing on everything. Other ideas to keep cats busy include but are not limited to: puzzle feeders, scratching posts, and interactive toys. 2008. When you catch your cat chewing on cords, gently remove the item and replace it with a safe alternative. S. L. Crowell-Davis and T. Murray. Use toys that allow them to use their hunting instincts.

Here are some ways to reduce your cats chewing behaviors: Hopefully this article has given you a good overview of why cats chew and some of the steps you can take to alleviate chewing when it starts to become a problem. Cats that chew compulsively may chew on furniture, rugs, and other household items and also chew their skin to where it is irritated. Ideally, you want to offer a replacement chew toy for the cat rather than stopping them from chewing altogether. Repeated radiographs at 10pm showed the blockage was not going to budge and needed to be removed surgically ASAP. Health conditions, such as mouth and gum disease or gastrointestinal disorders may cause felines to chew in order to self-soothe. his life was like before I adopted him. Common signs of OCD in cats are repetitive tail chasing, constant pacing for no apparent reason, excessive grooming and/or an overabundance of chewing. The second is to consult your veterinarian about pica. The first thing we want to find out is the cause of this destructive chewing behavior: Chewing furniture, your favorite clothing or shoes can be a hassle to you, but if your cats start chewing electric cords, it can pose potential danger to them. Boredom is another reason cats may chew. 2012, Domestic Animal Behavior for Veterinarians and Animal Scientists.

Cat dental treats are also a good option for boosting cat oral health. Toys for small dogs may be appropriate, and consider using puzzle feeders to keep him mentally stimulated. Also, keeping up with parasite control, such as flea and tick treatments, can help your cat avoid being infested with parasites. 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 shouldnt. Cat chewing can become worrisome for various reasons, one of which is they may decide its okay to chew on something of value to you, like a houseplant or a wool sweater. Emergency? Why Is My Cat Suddenly Chewing On Everything. ". When to Switch From Kitten Food To Cat Food? A vet visit is highly recommended. There are several different reasons why a cat may chew too often.

Cats that are experiencing stresssuch as moving to a new home or a new baby in the houseare also more at risk to develop a compulsive chewing problem. If your cat has a tendency to chew on wool, it could be indicative of Obsessive Compulsive Disorders. Keep in mind that your cat might be chewing because it's bored. He may perform other tests to check for any nutritional deficiencies in your cat. This will prompt cats to groom more often, which may result in over-chewing. Learn more. If it is difficult to turn your cats away from the items they frequently chew on, any aversive agents such as, A more expensive and effective way to discourage their access to your favorite items is install a. This could be with wands or fake mice. If they are left alone for long periods of time, they may want to find something to entertain themselves. Your cat could be chewing out of boredom. The cause of this disorder in cats is not fully understood, but some experts believe there may be a genetic component. Puzzle toys and other interactive options can keep an active cat entertained and prevent boredom. 2008, {"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":"