I have a 6 month old kitten who, in the course of her life, has chewed up a turquoise necklace (the stones chewed off of the thread), chewed books, chewed papers, etc. Lately she has been jumping up the walls to try to tear a map off of the wall; I taped tinfoil to the corners of the map to discourage her, so this morning instead she sat by my bookcase and chewed on the corner of a book.
I can't spray bitter apple on most of the things that she chews, and I'd rather not coat my entire bedroom in tinfoil. Any suggestions? This has been occuring, off and on, since I got her 3 months ago.
2007-11-10 04:21:28 · 12 answers · asked by lkl 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
I have a chewer too. I find that if I keep a couple cardboard boxes around, he will lay in them and bite and rip apart the boxes. He will chew things too when he is frustrated. Some interactive play may help get rid of some of that energy.
She is still young, and teething. She should grow out of it. Just try to be patient with her, and keep anything of value away from the cat. My little chewer seriosuly ripped and chewed my homework one time when I was still in college.
Good luck!
2007-11-10 04:51:39 · answer #1 · answered by Crystal 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Striking a cat as a form of punishment often results in your cat mounting a return attack. Very bad idea. Don't hit the kitty.
The problem stems from the fact that your cat is extremely bored and has nothing better to do than to chew your things. This is obviously a common issue based on everyone else's answers. The solution is to go to your butcher or a meat market and get her a large, uncooked cow bone that's been sawed in several places to expose the bone marrow.
I know there will be some people who won't like this solution, but the teeth of a cat cannot do enough damage to these bones to cause splintering. The goal is to have kitty work on the marrow and she will. Most carnivores adore bone marrow and it's very good for them in addition to occupying their time. Cooking the bone for several hours will soften up the marrow and give her something else to do besides mess with your stuff.
2007-11-10 05:09:28 · answer #2 · answered by Leslie L 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She is teething. I had never experienced this with a cat until about 5 years ago--and the last two cats I have both did this. Chewed some of my favorite shoes, book edges, furniture edges!!! I was not a happy camper--then they grew out of it. Hasn't been a problem with the cats in a while. Now I have a new puppy--so the chewing continues but with a different culpret!
2007-11-10 04:59:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Options: Cover your wires in 1/2" or larger split loom cable covers -- they're a lot less expensive than the wires. Staple all wires to the trim along the wall, or tape them to the wall, or use the wire covers that stick to the wall and fold around the wires. Never leave a wire loose or dangling if you have a chewer in the house (I have 3 at the moment, but 2 are teething kittens whom I'm hoping will grow out of it). I've had to either cover or tack down everything. My laptop cable gets locked away when not in use.
2016-04-03 05:45:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
She's teething, and chewing helps relieve the discomfort. Take a clean face cloth, tie a knot in it, dampen it with water and put it in the freezer to chill. Having that to chew on will help relieve her painful gums. Alternatively buy her some soft rubber toys to chew.
Does she have plenty of toys and do you spend time playing with her? When she's in destructive mode, distract her attention by playing a game with her.
2007-11-10 12:51:57 · answer #5 · answered by Michele the Louis Wain cat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Violence is not the answer to this problem.
I would suggest that when your cat goes to chew on something, grab the water bottle and spray her. Seeing as cats do not like water, she will run from the spray. It might take some time for her to get the hint, but if you are consistent with this she will soon get the idea.
If you don't start teaching her this now, she will continue to do this and it will take longer to teach her not to.
2007-11-10 04:38:34 · answer #6 · answered by Jacqueline B 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i wuold NOT suggest a base ball bat you can go to jail for killing an animal well try getting a bottle of water and spraying the cat when she chews on thigs or when u leve get her a small kennel
2007-11-10 04:44:44 · answer #7 · answered by julia b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call the vet and ask for suggestions, but the only thing I know to do is bitter apple. Are there plenty of kitty toys around for her to play with?
TX Mom
2007-11-10 04:39:25 · answer #8 · answered by TX Mom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe this cat is mentally disturbed just like a human being, unstable for some reason... try to find the reason of her behaviour and if you don't find out... the cat is mad.
2007-11-10 04:42:49 · answer #9 · answered by Léou 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
next time she does it do something not physical or the cat will hate u
try putting her in a cage for like 5 minuets and slowly increase the time next time she does it
2007-11-10 04:39:27 · answer #10 · answered by curious_1_plz_help 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋