He has toys and other stuff to chew on but it's not good enough. He has destroyed my phone charger, our cable TV wire, our laptop power cable, our microwave power cable, many bags of cereal and rice, our swiffer, towels, paper towels, speaker wire, extension cords, power strips, shoe strings, flip flops, ect. We've tried the "shaking coins in a cup" thing...but that just gets him riled up. We've tried spraying him with water...but he likes water to the point where if he gets into the bathroom while we're showering he wants in so he can play in the water (dog much?). He's a year and a half old, neutered, and he never used to do this up until the last two months. He's satan.
2007-07-12 09:58:49 · 13 answers · asked by Dustin L 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
There are a few things that you can try to break the habit;
* Buy some of those tube covers to place over electrical wires.
* I know this won't be easy, but wherever possible you need to deny him any access to those items that he's chewing. The items that you cannot store away, put eucalyptus or menthol oil on them. Cats hate the smell. You can also leave "bait" pieces of fabric on which a few drops of menthol or oil of eucalyptus have been added, this deterrent will often reform the most ardent chewers. Sometimes denial for a couple of weeks causes the behaviour to stop.
* Shouting at the cat or squirting water at him when you catch him in the act, isn't advised as you may just find he resorts to chewing these items in secret or when you are not there.
* If it's the chewing sensation that he enjoys, then try providing him with tough chunks of meat to eat. This means he will have to spend more time focused on eating his dinner.
Is he allowed outside at all, or is he an indoor only cat? If he's allowed outside this will further his level of mental stimulation and will reduce the importance of home for activity. If he's an indoor only cat, would you consider allowing him outside for brief periods on a harness? Make sure you set aside time each day strictly for playing games with him so as to focus his attention on things other than chewing. Try interactive toys as they will stimulate him mentally too.
Is he an only cat? He's still young and may appreciate a feline companion, particularly if he is an indoor only cat. It could simply be, that he is chewing because he is bored. Having a friend would keep him both mentally and physically fit. Should you decide to consider this option, I've posted a link to a web site that will help you introduce a new cat to yours.
http://www.tulsa-animalshelter.org/tips/intro%20cat.htm
Good luck
2007-07-12 10:58:56 · answer #1 · answered by Michele the Louis Wain cat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow little terror! The only things i can think of that may help, is don't let him have the run of the house. When you leave or it's bed time, he needs his own room to sleep in, or a carrier crate, something you can put him into to keep him out of trouble. As for when you are home and awake, you need to go to the pet store and ask them for a spray that makes cats want to stay away! I can't think of what it's called. And get some bitter apple spray while your at it. Spray the bitter apple on your t.v cable and other things that are dangerous for him to chew on. It tastes really yucky to a cat, and he'll never chew on it again.
2007-07-12 10:08:14 · answer #2 · answered by Kaysey 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
He's bored.
Protect your phone cords and electrical cords by wiping them down with a liquid called Bitter Apple. It comes in a white bottle and is available at pet supplies places. It works great, it is totally harmless but tastes nasty. Sort of like biting into a banana skin.
The shaking coins thing is for dogs. And as you found out some cats LIKE water. You have to reward the good behavior and ignore the bad, that works best with cats. You can also try Rescue Remedy to get him to calm down, or Feliway which works great (but is expensive, but hey, if it WORKS it's worth it--price shop around online, I've found it for half the price with enough looking). I'd also call the vet and ask about behavior problems with cats who need something in their mouth at all times, it's possible you've got a vet in your area who specializes in animal behavior.
But definately get the Bitter Apple, it's worth it's weight in gold!
2007-07-12 15:23:41 · answer #3 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He probably doesn't think that what he's doing is wrong. Spray all the wires with a bitter-apple spray and febreeze blankets, shoes etc, to give a bad taste that won't smell bad when you wear your shirts etc. When your gone, lock him in one room that has no wires, no clothes on the floor etc., My cat did that and he taught everyone to always put your shoes in the closet and hang up your clothes. Smart lil guy!
2007-07-12 10:16:51 · answer #4 · answered by Animal Girl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would take him to a veterinarian who specializes in animal behavior. My female mixed breed cat started pooping outside the litter box, and the animal behavior vet solved the problem in 1 visit. (My regular vet, who was very good, said it was a tough problem to deal with.)
Sounds like you have some tough problems, too. Just wondering... Is he Siamese?? I have a little male Siamese cat now. He does some of the same things but not to that extreme. Siamese cats are more like dogs than any other breed.
Your kitty is not Satan...take him to a good cat headshrinker and I bet you'll start loving the little "devil!"
2007-07-12 10:12:43 · answer #5 · answered by Jana 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cat did this to in till he was like a year and a half.I called my vet and they said some cats do that and don't grow out of it.My cat did thank goodness.The vet told me that pet stores make something called sour apple and you can spray it on things and when the cat bites whatever it is they don't like the bitter taste so stop biting it.
2007-07-12 15:22:19 · answer #6 · answered by kittens 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if he doesnt have any teeth then yes. otherwise he probably is one of those cats that likes to chew on stuff. my cat is the same way but he has teeth. if he isnt teething then buy a scratching post or something for him or he will eventually start destroying furniture.
2016-05-20 23:48:22 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
who is this dsaf f idiot? Maybe his mother should have beaten him!
My cat chews on nail files, plastic bags, barrettes, pony tail holders, throw rugs!! ha ha, guess it happens to all of us. I would really worry about the electrical cords more than anything, because if he actually chews through one, he will get shocked. Get him some toys with catnip in them. Since they like catnip, he may take to those types of toys. Good Luck!
2007-07-12 12:10:05 · answer #8 · answered by franny1120 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try using peppermint extract in a mister bottle. I used to have a show cat... who loved t-towels, sweaters, etc. Peppermint was the answer. I had to pour it into my wash at the end of the rinse cycle.
2007-07-12 10:07:59 · answer #9 · answered by blondenono 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is funny I thought my cat was the only one that chewed on weird things! Everytime he sees a bag of popcorn, chips, pretzels he tears it open. Also he used to jump in the shower with me until I gave him a bath in it! haha How old is your lil monster?
2007-07-12 10:07:35 · answer #10 · answered by mspeep_14 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋