Help With Your Cat: Cat Chewing Behaviour

Have you ever caught your cat chewing on your shoelaces, clothing, or blankets? It may seem strange to see your cat chewing on a blanket for an extended period of time, but rest assured, this is a common behaviour among felines.

Why Do Cats Chew On Things

Cat chewing can be caused by many factors. Although these factors may vary among every cat, the following 3 reasons for cat chewing are the most common…

1. A Health Condition. Sometimes a cat will begin to chew on objects because he or she is experiencing symptoms from a medical condition. Dental problems are one of the most common medical reasons for a feline to chew. If you have a kitten he or she may be teething, and chewing on objects causes relief for this teething pain. Older cats who are chewing may have a more serious dental problem, such as a tooth ache, tooth decay, or gingivitis. In these situations you’ll want to consult your Veterinarian to see if there is any further action you must take to ensure that your feline friend is healthy.

2. Childhood Behaviour. Some people believe that chewing or “sucking wool” is due to a cat’s leftover weaning instinct, meaning that a cat is trying to suckle milk from different objects. These cats will seek out man-made materials to suckle on such as sweaters, blankets, carpets, and shoelaces. If this sounds like your cat and you’d like to deter this behaviour consider giving your kitty something else to chew on such as a rawhide or a catnip filled toy.

3. Boredom. Some cats decide to chew on man-made materials because they’re bored. To keep your cat from chewing because he or she is bored, make sure that there are enough toys around the house to keep your kitty’s attention. You can also schedule different playtimes throughout the day to keep kitty busy and entertained.

*It’s important to note that some cats might decide to chew on dangerous materials such as electrical cords. In these circumstances you can hide the cords, spray them with bitter apple or orange spray, or cover them with tape, aluminum foil, or electrical cord tubes. Any of these options will help to deter your cat from hurting itself by chewing through an electrical cord.

Do you have an explanation or solution for cat chewing?
Let us know in the comments section below!

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