How to Stop Destructive Chewing in Cats
While it's normal for cats to chew on things—even things that aren't meant to be chewed—sometimes, the behavior can get out of hand. It's potentially dangerous to the cat, not to mention damaging to your belongings. However, since cats explore with their mouths, they're going to chew on things. There are a few possible medical conditions that may cause excessive chewing in cats, including teething in kittens. Yet the top cause of chewing in house cats is boredom, which is relatively easily remedied.
Reasons
Before settling on boredom as the reason for your cat's chewing habit, take it to the veterinarian to rule out a medical issue.
- A cat with gum disease may gnaw on things to soothe its mouth, and a cat with a digestive issue may chew and drool on things to help with nausea.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder, nutritional deficiencies, and early weaning all are possible medical causes for chewing.
Periodontal disease, which is an inflammation of the gums and the tissues surrounding teeth, is very common in cats and is usually treated with a full cleaning under anesthesia to rid your cat of the plaque and tarter that harbors bacteria that lead to periodontal disease.1 In more advanced stages of periodontal disease, affected teeth may need to be removed. How your vet treats a gastrointestinal ailment will depend on the severity and nature of the illness—a cat with a digestive problem will usually show more signs than just chewing that it is sick.
If there's no underlying medical cause, chances are you've got a bored cat on your hands. It may not seem like a kitten could get into too much trouble chewing, but there are some serious hazards around the house you may be overlooking.
