It’s not difficult to determine the signs that your cat is an unreliable chewer. Do you occasionally notice her chewing on things until they’re indistinguishable? Do your possessions appear like the pencils with gnarled edges you had in fourth grade? If you said “yes” to either question then you’re in the right place.
There are a myriad of reasons cats are known to chew on things that they shouldn’t such as wanting to soothe their gums when they are teething, to utilizing their natural instinct to cut and dice with their sharp front teeth.
Some cats also use their mouths to
explore the world around them,” says Katenna Jones who is a certified Rhode Island cat behavior expert. “In that way, they see chewing as fun–almost like a form of play.” Birds Of South CarolinaÂ
Elise Gouge, a certified pet behavior expert and trainer located in Massachusetts she agrees. “Cats chew for the enjoyment of it,” she claims. “For them, it’s a tactile and enriching activity.”We asked experts to discuss the reasons cats chew on objects, why it turns destructive, and how is the best way to stop or limit this behavior.
Is Chewing Normal for Cats
Chewing is a normal behaviour in cats however, this doesn’t mean it’s something that should or shouldn’t be considered a nuisance.“Whether chewing is normal is all relative to the cat, his health, and his level of activity,” Gouge states. “It becomes excessive when it interferes with other activities or is self-injurious.”
It’s crucial to determine if there is a medical issue, like gum disease or stomach problems which could be the cause of your cat’s habit of chewing, Jones adds. “They could be trying to relieve themselves of pain or discomfort, or they’re calling to you,
trying to bring your attention to problems like these,” she suggests. The gums’ redness could be an indicator of a dental issue, and Jones states that excessive salivation or licking could suggest the stomach of your pet may be being irritable.
Behavior problems may also be related to destructive
chewing, as stated by the doctor. Jennifer Coates, veterinary advisor for petMD and the creator of Dictionary of Veterinary Terms”Veterinarian-speak Decoded” for Non-Veterinarians.
“Cats require stimulation for their minds and physical activity to prevent them from becoming anxious, bored or frustrated. If they’re lacking in activities or things to accomplish, they’ll discover ways to release all that physical and mental energy themselves…and you might not be happy with the outcomes.”In any of these instances, it is recommended to consult your vet for treatment of the root cause of the problem. Once the issue is fixed the chewing will be eliminated or reduced in frequency.
Risks of Destructive Chewing in Cats
The teeth of cats are sharper than dog’s (or ours). )–“like scalpel, in comparison with a butter knife ),” Jones says. Because of this, cat teeth are made for any type of chewing, and are rarely hurt by this behaviour.
The most frequent concerns are about the food your cat chewing and the things she might consume. “Issues that could result from chewing include ingesting dangerous materials such as string,” Gouge adds. “Cats are also very sensitive and could be hurt by ingesting chemicals in items they chew.” 
Since chewing is an unnatural
behavior intended to stimulate a cat’s carnivorous nature, Gouge says they may prefer objects that are soft and fuzzy, things that evoke the sensation of taking prey. On the other hand wires can pose a problem due to the fact that electricity can traverse them so it is important to shield the wires or limit your cat’s access.
Other dangerous items that cats can chew include poisonous plants small toys, objects such as ribbons, tinsel and even yarn. In many of these instances chewing is dangerous due to the possibility of consuming food items that become stuck in the digestive tract of your cat.
“Oftentimes when a cat eats something indigestible that is comparatively large or string-like, the only way to deal with the situation is for a veterinarian to go in surgically, remove the object, and try to repair any damage that it has done,” Coates says. If you suspect that your cat taken a risky food item, contact your veterinarian right away.
Stopping Unwanted Chewing Behaviors
Sometimes, the simplest solution is the most effective. If you’d like to prevent the cat from chewing things you have in your house, keep them away from the reach of your cat.“Make sure string, yarn, and twine is not left out,” Gouge states. “Protect your plants with wire fencing.” can cats eat shrimp
It is also possible to use furniture and carpets to prevent the wires’ access and areas of your home where you might keep something that is appealing to your cat’s instinctive chewing, Jones says. If that’s not feasible her suggestion is rosemary, lemon, cayenne or another scent cats don’t like to put in their mouths to discourage them.
Jones believes that clicker training is an excellent method of teaching your cat to get away from an object rather than chew it. However, it can be time-consuming as it is possible to have to train for multiple items.
A simpler way to alter chewing behaviour is to offer your cat ample exercise and stimulation, which includes the right toys to chew on.
