You’ve tried everything to keep your cat from chewing. But nothing seems to work. Read on to learn more about dealing with this situation!
Cats often chew on objects, including those that are not intended for chewing, but sometimes the habit can become extreme. In addition to possibly harming the cat, it damages your stuff too.
However, because cats explore with their mouths, they will nibble on things. A few common medical issues, such as teething in kittens, can make cats chew excessively. However, the most common cause of chewing in home cats is boredom, which is easily cured.
Cats chew things for fun. They love playing with their food, toys, and even other cats. This is normal behavior for them. But sometimes, they get into destructive chewing habits that can cause serious health problems.
If you want to stop your cat from destroying furniture or carpets, try these five ways to prevent destructive chewing without losing your mind.
1. Cover All Cords and Wires
Cats frequently chew on cords and wires, especially if they are left unattended throughout the day. Try to provide your cat or kitten with various “play-alone” toys, such as toys attached to walls or doors so they can hit the ball or simply shoot.
Get cat towers that they can explore with toys attached for additional interest or even a tunnel made of containers with the sides cut out.
You need to devise a solution to hide the cords, prevent access to them, or make them uncomfortable to chew on to deal with the cord issue itself.
You can use flexible poly tubing, which comes in various diameters, and you can get it in most hardware or construction supply stores. To make the tubing the appropriate length for each cord, cut a slit on one side.
If your cat has been chewing electrical cords, try covering the cords with duct tape. This way, they won’t get tangled up in the cord and pull it out.
2. Get Used to Their Nighttime Preference
It’s natural for cats to become more active in the middle of the night or toward sunrise. The fact that they are nocturnal predators who mostly exhibit “hunting” behaviors at sunrise and sunset must be respected.
The fact that humans have different sleep cycles from cats means that your kitten doesn’t understand why their habits are unpleasant to us.
While you should refrain from attempting to interfere fully with their normal cycles, you can offer engaging activities that will stop their nocturnal activity from disturbing your sleep.
Give your cat engaging toys so that it can “hunt” at night. Keep in mind that they have appropriate and entertaining toys to satisfy their natural predatory tendencies.
Don’t allow your cat to enter your room when sleeping. While some of us can’t conceive life without cat cuddles, this option may be the only one that will let you get a good night’s sleep if your cat is highly troublesome at night.
It’s normal for cats to chew at night. They’re trying to stay awake and alert. Give them a safe place to hide their toys. Also, make sure there aren’t hanging objects near where they sleep.
3. Spend Time With Your Cat
Your cat may engage in a variety of damaging behaviors to seek your attention. Spending enough time with your cat can improve your relationship with your furry pet and prevent boredom-related behaviors.
While playing by yourself is fun, your cat might be stimulated in different ways when you play with them. Make an effort to plan to play with your cat daily in order to deal with obsession.
There is no better way to teach your cat how to behave than you take the effort to spend time with them. They will naturally understand your feelings and activities. Just give them enough time to adapt to the new environment.
4. Try an Anti-Chewing Spray
An anti-chewing spray is a safe alternative to using harsh chemicals to deter cats from chewing. It works by irritating the mouth and throat so that your cat will spit out whatever he’s chewing.
This spray contains citronella oil, which irritates the cat’s mouth and throat. He’ll be unable to resist spitting out the chewed item. Once he memorizes the spray taste, he will try to avoid those things.
5. Choosing the Right Toy for the Right Tim
Many toys are available for cats, but not all are suitable for every type of playtime. If you’re looking for something fun to play with during nap times, try a toy with bells. This will help your cat stay entertained while he’s sleeping.
The environment that your cat inhabits should include cat toys. They won’t try to play with your stuff as much if they have their own toys. It will be challenging to replace destructive behaviors with toys since it may take a few toys before you identify the right one.
Don’t let that deter you; instead, begin with the fundamentals by providing your cat with basic cat toys. To ensure their comfort, make sure it is portable and lightweight.
Rotate your cat’s toys often rather than offering them all at once to prevent them from becoming attached to the toys. The size of the toy should be considered because some of them may be small or include brittle parts that could lead your pet to ingest them or hurt themselves.
Conclusion
Cats are social animals who enjoy playing with each other. They also love playing with toys and often chew on objects such as blankets, shoes, and stuffed animals. Unfortunately, some cats develop destructive chewing habits that can damage furniture, carpets, and other items around the house.
Boredom or stress may motivate cats to chew destructively. Other times, it’s a sign of aggression or health issues. Be sure to pay attention to improving the lives of cats.
