Your kitten may be adorable, but the chewed-on shoes, cords and household furniture she leaves behind aren't quite as endearing. Since a felinehissmeans, Back off, Im warning you! this works especially well with young kittens under about 4 months of age. Find inspiration in this list of 400 cute, unique and creative cat names. Everyone knows dogs will chew on pretty much anything. Offer a variety of toys that mimic different types of prey. In some cases, consultation with a veterinarianor veterinary behaviorist may be helpful to addressdestructive behavior and to devise management strategiesthat will enable you and your cat to live in peace and goodhealth. Cords seem to be a hit with some cats, while others are dedicated cardboard shredders. They chewed through the cord on our $180 heating blanket. Could he actually get electrocuted? Theodor of mothballs in the soil may also keep your cat away.
Need more help with destructive chewing behavior? Then they get big and its not so cute anymore. Kittens think its a fun game when you squeal and run.
TheCatSite.com participates in select affiliate advertising programs, including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Other common things that cats are prone to chewing are electrical cables, which is obviously a very dangerous habit, rubber (Max loves to chew my flip-flops which now have a lovely pitted tooth-mark pattern) and plants, many of which can be toxic if ingested. Yelling, squirtinga water gun, or startling your cat with a loud noise whenhe scratches teaches him that your presence, rather thanthe act of scratching, brings punishment. They use their mouths (and teeth!) Dont forget about your pet when youre slathering on the SPF! Obviously, chewing wires could result in electrocution, so the first thing you need to do is make your home a safe environment for the kitten to grow up in. The only way to guarantee protection for both yourhouseplants and your cat is to block access to the plants. Any scratching post you buy or build should besturdy enough that it does not topple over during use, andshould be at least as tall as your cat standing on her hindlegs with front legs outstretched. ~Ernie. Browse our list of 500 male dog names for inspiration for your new puppy or dog. While it can be tolerated with young kittens, inappropriate chewing often turns into a behavior problem with adult cats. Some items may be toxic, or break apart with small parts being ingested by the cat. Whatever the reason for your cats destructive chewing, the types of things a cat typically chews includes fabrics, shoes, books, electrical cables, plants and everything in-between. If your kitten wont stop biting, you need to set limits and learn effective methods for training, such as clicker training for kittens. Daily Play - Actively play with the kitten multiple times a day using toys you can make wiggle and flutter. First, hide all the wires that you can behind furniture and invest in a cable tidy, which is available from computer outlets. Replace the caps every six to 12 weeks. Make sure you keep these dangerous objects out of the cat's reach. With kittens, the chewing is a natural part of the teething process. How to choose the right food for your cat, Playing With Your Cat: 10 Things You Need To Know, 9 Grass Growing Kits That Will Make Your Cat Happy, Beating Boredom - What Indoor Cat Owners Need To Know, Six Surefire Strategies To Reduce Stress In Cats. Cat Articles | If necessary, hide all valuable and dangerous chewable objects,leaving out a few non-valuable fabrics for your cat to chew onso long as he does not swallow too much. 5. Scratching Fortunately, kittens are very adaptive and can learn quickly with a little assistance. The scratching post should also match your cats preferredscratching orientation. Otherwise, its up to us humans to teach kittens to stop biting. The key to bite training is four-prong: Kittens have a very short attention span, so the interruption must happenrightas they chomp your ankle or nails or your hand. Biting is a totally acceptable behavior for a kitten, but that doesnt mean we want them attacking our hands or bare feet! Provide items that match scratching preference Looking for boy dog names? to test everything. She has great diet. Picking things up, biting objects (including your ankles or hands) teaches them how such things act and react. The reason kittens bite us is simple: theyre natural predators and they want to practice their attack on a moving object. Make unacceptable targets less attractive The sequence should be: bite = no games. Aggressive kittens can shock you. Youve taught the kitten its fun to target your handsa hard lesson to un-learn. Such a silly kitty! But what about cats? You can buy bitter-tasting anti-chew products to paint or spray onto the things you want to protect from your kitty's sharp teeth. Cats may chew onplants as part of their normal investigation and play, orthey may simply be craving vegetable matter in their diets. Keep reading to understand the motives behind kitten biting and find out how to put a stop to itfor good. Offer alternatives, especially if your cat is young and could still be experiencing the growing pains of teething. Wool sucking behaviour satisfies an emotional need similar to a child who sucks their thumb, and although it can be harmless, if your cat starts to chew and actually ingest the fabric, it can cause intestinal blockages that in extreme cases may require surgery. She is a happy busy girl but has this compulsive disorder to chew/ingest any and all fabric. Permethrin Poisoning in Cats: What You Need to Know, Cat Scooting: What it Means and What to Do, High Blood Pressure in Cats: Signs and Treatment. Heres everything you need to know about dog sunscreen. Does she prefer carpets, drapes, wood, or someother surface? Cats that chew on houseplants are usually indoor cats withlittle access to grass or other greens. It may bea comfort-seeking behavior, or it may fulfill a desire to playand investigate. By: Chewy EditorialUpdated: December 8, 2020, By: Chewy EditorialUpdated: June 15, 2021, By: Nancy DunhamUpdated: December 16, 2020, By: Chewy EditorialPublished: September 26, 2011, By: Chewy EditorialPublished: January 15, 2015, By: Chewy EditorialPublished: September 1, 2016, By: Ashley DavidsonUpdated: June 30, 2022, 400 Girl Dog Names for Your Pretty New Pup. You can help meetyour cats need to forage by putting a large ball in thefood bowl, or by providing toys that deliver treats whenmoved or scratched. For most kitten owners, chewing is just a normal fact of life, but in some cases, it could be a sign of a problem. Providing appropriate chew toys can keep your kitten happy and satisfy her natural urge to chew. Philodendron (Philodendron spp.) The best option is to run cables under the carpet, or make sure theyre completely covered. If you choose the latter, make sure that thedry food used is part of your cats calculated daily caloric intake(i.e. When the play session has ended, reward the kitten with a treat or meal to simulate the satisfying experience of eating after a kill. Cardboard, packing paper from Chewy.com, and a Wiggle Worm work wonders for our cat who loves to chew and tear. Its important to try to pinpoint the reason for your cats destructive chewing, so what are the most common causes? Why Do Cats Clean Themselves After They Eat? In some cases, chewing turns into a stress-relieving habit and carries on into adulthood. so that he gets the message that what he is doing is wrong. Discover why cats might get aggressive when you CatChannel behavior expert Marilyn Krieger, CCBC, talks about how to pick up a cat. When clicking a link here and buying, we may be able to make a small commission, at no additional cost to you. If youre out of the house for an extended period of time during the day, leave a variety of self-play toys around wall hung toys your cat can swat at, cardboard boxes, or a tunnel on the floor anything that will provide hours of activity and entertainment. When kittens dont receive enough mental stimulation during the day, even bad attention is better than being ignored.
Suggest touring these sites' offerings, too. When a cats meowing loudly, it could be anything from a call for attention to a cry for help. Another reason that kittens chew things is because they are bored or curious. Dont just wonder, Why is my kitten biting me? Offer your kitten a legal object to bite. Poinsettia (Euphorbia spp.). Keep Kitty from getting bored by creating an environment for your cat which encourages exercise and play. However, catscan be taught to scratch on more appropriate objects likescratching posts. needle-sharp teeth. Biting a toy makes it squeak. It can then begradually moved to a location of your choice. If done excessively, chewing can gradually erode the surface of the cat's teeth. Here are a few ideas for re-directing Kitty's chewing behavior to more acceptable outlets -. The bite = no games cured her of all biting, because she wanted so badly to be with her people. Shoes, stuffed toys, your eyeglasses, everything is fair game to an untrained pup. If you catch your kitten chewing a wire, say a firm "no!" If you think there might be an underlying medical problem that causes your kitten's chewing behavior, bring her to a vet for a checkup. A tender tummy from worms, or a sore paw from that bee sting, means your touch hurts. You need to make sure your cat has a lot of stimulation and other things to keep him occupied, so lots of toys, activity centres and puzzle feeders are perfect. Unfortunately, some innate, normal cat behaviors becomedestructive within the confines of a house. Redirect your cats scratching behavior by placing the postnext to an area your cat likes to scratch. Other owners want to stop their cats from gnawing on their fingers. Actively playing multiple times a day before meals is a great way to help kittens develop their motor skills, learn appropriate habits, and get out pent up energy. A short yelp is effective because it explains that bitinghurtsyou. WebMD: Cats and Compulsive Scratching, Licking, and Chewing. Biting your ankle makes you squeal and run (fun stuff!). Praise them for bunny-kicking the stuffing out of the toy! Reward Good Behavior - Allow the kitten to catch the toy, then give an opportunity for biting and bunny kicking. Oleander (Nerium oleander) For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. While wearing these caps, your cat can go throughthe motions of scratching, but will cause no damage. This type of compulsive chewing is also often accompanied by eating the objects chewed. I usually do it when its meal timethe mom doesnt get the food in my dish fast enough. That said, it's always a good idea to ask your vet about your cat's chewing habits. It can also be caused by curiosity or teething (especially amongst kittens), stress or anxiety, genetics (a number of Oriental breeds are known for having pica), or even a nutrient deficiency. Another reason for tidying up all the wires is because the kitten could also get tangled up in them. Depending on the kittens personality, socialization, age and other factors, there may be several reasons why your kitten is biting.
If you do that, your kittens will have their natural urges satisfiedand youll be bite free in no time. Usecat plush toysor acat feather wandto wear out all that energy. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in, Please refresh your browser to be logged in. This keeps your cats from getting bored and lowers stress levels. Whoops! So what causes destructive chewing behaviour in cats, and how can you stop it? Chewing helps your furry pal ease the soreness that comes with teething and also assists him in working the baby teeth out quickly and easily. Dont expect the kitten to play all alone!
Shes not bored. Purrs, Im am so guilty of chewing thingsspecially electrical cordslike on the coffee pot. Make unacceptable targets less attractive document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); TheCatSite.com is a community of cat lovers dedicated to quality cat care and cat welfare. In the case of my own cat who arrived when she was about 5 months old, the hiss didnt work on her. If your catscratches in several locations, provide a post near each one. Some owners get creative and build their own scratchingposts and kitty activity centers. When your kitty is something of a cat burglar: what to do about your feline's stealing problem. Electrical cables and wires might be more difficult to remove, but dont forget that your cat runs the risk of electrocution if theyre his chew toy of choice, so its even more essential to stop him from chewing on them. Wool is often the fabric of choice, and a cat with a seriouschewing habit can destroy sweaters, socks, blankets, pillows,and other valuable items. Biting a bee stings back. Its hard to do, I know, but grit your teeth and hold still. Scratching is largely a markingbehavior that deposits scent from special glands on the catspaws into his territory and removes the translucent covering,or sheath, from the claws.
A cat that habitually chews on inappropriate objects may needother diversions. If your cat ispunished for scratching only when you are present, he willsimply learn to scratch when you are not there. These should only be appliedto cats that allow you to handle and manipulate theirpaws. Does she scratch vertically, with her pawsstretched out above her head, or does sheprefer horizontal surfaces? Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Kittens dont have hands. Punishment that hurts or scares kittens is NEVER acceptable and can make biting worse by turning play-bites into defensive aggression. Declawing will not curbyour cats desire to scratch, but will prevent the damageresulting from the behavior. Effectivedeterrents to scratching, such as the tower of cupsbooby trap mentioned earlier, are consistent, immediate,and are less likely to result in a cat associating a negativestimulus with its owner. For many kittens, a human finger is just too tempting not to chew on. The short EEEK! not only startles and interrupts the biting, it explains what you think of their out-of-control play behavior, too. Finally, in severe cases, your veterinarian mayprescribe medications that decrease your cats desire tochew or suck on inappropriate targets. About TheCatSite.com. If you never make toys move and entice them to hunt, then the only moving targets the kitten has to practice hunting on are your hands and feet. I know I shouldnt chew, but I cant help myself! Even if you can't manage this in every room of the house, make sure that at least one room is completely safe, so that when you go out you can leave your kitten in there in the knowledge that he won't get himself into trouble. Kittens who are shy or fearful also can bite to make that scary thingyouback off. A shriek near a growling or hissing older cat could increase feline aggressive behavior or even prompt an attack. When Can You Wean a Kitten From Its Mother?, What Can You Do for a Kitten That Has Foul-Smelling Gas?, How Old Is a Puppy When He Stops Biting?. However, a cat that likes the horizontal motion of scratchingon a carpet might be more likely to use a flattenedcardboard box, or a log placed on its side (Figure 1). This tells the kitten that shes a great hunter! Kittens need to play you can have endless fun with a ball or a length of string! Most of your kitten's teeth should be out by the time he is 8 to 10 months old, and teething behavior should stop around that time. Prevent boredom Also, try offering yourcat alternatives such as cat-safe rubber toys scented with fish oilor even dry cat food. Worse, it may lead to aggression. Declawed cats should neverbe allowed outside, as they are less able to climb trees orto defend themselves. Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia spp.) Once you havefigured out your cats preferred targetmaterials and orientation, you can buy a scratching post thatsuits her needs. Chewing behavior that lasts past the teething stage may be a sign of a disorder called pica. Encourage the kitten to bite and chase the toy (rather than your hands or ankles). Site Help | I don't know how to stop him and I am becoming really worried. Mistletoe (Phoradendron spp.) A more expensive tactic is anindoor fence that delivers a mild, harmless shock whenyour cat crosses a boundary. Coila has a Bachelor of Science in cell and molecular biology from the University of Cincinnati and more than 10 years of medical research experience. Houseplants can be made less attractive by sprayingthe leaves with a commercial pet repellent, or sprayingwater, then sprinkling them with cayenne pepper. You wont eliminate kitten biting entirely, but you can offer better alternatives to nailing your tender toes, ankles or nose. Covering itemswith blankets, sheets of plastic, or double-sided tapemay also deter scratching. Once youve ruled out any medical problems or dietary deficiencies with your vet, there are things that you can do to try to prevent your cats destructive chewing behaviour. If your cat craves vegetable matter in her diet, you canprovide alternatives, such as oat grass, catnip, and catmint,although she may still continue to snack on houseplants. This helps us offset the costs of running this site, so thank you for your support! This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the GooglePrivacy policyandTerms of serviceapply. Kittens may bite if theyre sick. Alternatively, the tower of cups booby trap placedaround the pot can startle your cat when she begins tochew. If your kitten seems to focus her chewing efforts on her own coat or paws, she may have parasites, such as fleas or mites.
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