You would certainly get annoyed at your cat if it starts chewing on everything. But, as a responsible owner, you should also figure out why your kitty decided to nibble on the objects.
In the majority of cases, cats chew on everything because of boredom. Digestive issues, gum diseases, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and nutritional deficiency can also be to blame, as well as teething (all the teeth should have erupted by the time the cat is 8 months old).
Is It Normal for Cats to Chew on Things?
Chewing is normal behavior for cats. In the wild, felines have to catch their prey and then chew on it to disassemble the body, and these instincts can ‘awaken’ in indoor cats as well.
But even though it is in the kitty’s nature to chew, excessive chewing can be an indicator of an underlying health condition.
Read: Is It Cruel to Keep a Bengal Cat Indoors?
At What Age Do Cats Stop Chewing on Things?
Kittens will often chew on things either because they are teething or out of pure curiosity. The majority of kitties will grow out of the habit by the time they are around 1-2 years old.
Do bear in mind that you should not allow the kitten to bite and chew on everything that it wants. The pet will get used to such behavior and it would be much more challenging for you to stop the cat from doing that once it gets older.
Why Does My Cat Chew on Everything?
If your cat is chewing on literally everything and it starts becoming destructive, then there should be an underlying cause of the behavior.
Boredom
In the majority of cases, cats chew on everything simply because they are bored. Chewing can provide the stimulation that the kitty is craving, but playing with the little guy and giving it toys is definitely a better (and healthier) decision.
A digestive issue
Chewing can help the cat fight nausea.
Periodontal disease
This condition is quite common in cats. The furry balls would gnaw on things to soothe their mouth.
Nutritional deficiency
If the kitty is not receiving enough nutrients with its diet, then it might start chewing on things to make up for the deficit.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Just like humans, cats can suffer from OCD. If the kitty is always anxious and nervous, then it might develop this chewing habit.
Read: Are Savannah Cats Hard to Care For?
Why Does My 8 Month Old Cat Chew on Everything?
Teething usually begins in kittens at anywhere between 10 weeks and 6 months of age. Even though by the time the cat is 8 months old, all of the teeth should have erupted, it might happen with a delay.
Your kitten might also simply be bored or it finds chewing on things to be a fun and exciting activity.
Why Does My Male Cat Chew on Everything?
It doesn’t really matter whether you have a female or a male cat. They all chew for the same reasons – boredom, gum diseases, OCD, etc.
Why Does My Cat Chew on Corners?
Your cat might start chewing on the corner of your phone or laptop because it is seeking attention.
The kitty may chew on the corner of the book that you like or the corner of the table that you tend to sit at because the fluffy ball wants to smell you (the pet might do that the most when you’re away).
Why Does My Cat Chew on My Fingers?
If the kitty is gently biting your fingers, then the chances are high that it’s a sign of affection. Other possible reasons include:
- The smell of food on your hands
- Overstimulation – you have been petting the kitty for too long and the cat is telling you that it had enough
- Playing – your cat is a hunter, so protect your fingers whenever you are playing together
Read: Do Bengal Cats Need Special Care?
Why Does My Cat Chew on Ribbon?
Chewing on ribbons in cats is considered to be instinctive as long, thin objects mimic the intestines of prey.
Do bear in mind that playing with a ribbon without supervision is not safe. The cat can ingest the ribbon and linear foreign bodies are considered to be surgical emergencies in cats.
Why Does My Cat Chew on Plastic?
One of the reasons why your cat might be chewing on plastic bags, plates, and forks is because they smell like food (if you have been using them to serve or store food).
Plastic bags are, in general, quite fun objects to play with as they fly and make cool noises.
Why Does My Cat Chew on Wires?
Your kitty can chew on wires because of boredom or in case it has issues with its teeth or gums.
Wires are certainly not the kind of object that you would want your cat to chew on, and the chances are high that you have shouted at the kitty a few times when you saw it misbehave. In such a case, the cat might continue to chew on the wires anyway to get your attention.
Read: Do Savannah Cats Need Lots of Attention?
Why Does My Cat Chew on Metal?
Some cats might like to chew on metal because it is shiny and/or they like the taste.
Do bear in mind, however, that metal can be toxic. For example, pennies have zinc which can be dangerous for the cat’s health.
Why Does My Cat Chew on Cardboard?
Sore gums and boredom can be to blame.
Cardboard is also a very fun material to play with as the kitty can scratch it and nibble on it (allowing the kitty to do so is not advised though).
How Do I Get My Cat to Stop Chewing on Things?
- Put the items that the cat tends to chew on out of reach
- Use carpets and furniture to block out the access to corners and wires
- Use a scent that cats don’t like on the object or area (you can give rosemary or lemon a try)
- Finally, and most importantly, provide your cat with enough exercise, so that it doesn’t chew out of boredom, and get a few toys that are actually safe to nibble on
How Do You Punish a Cat for Chewing Wires?
You shouldn’t punish your cat as the pet won’t learn anything from it. Instead, try covering the wires by running them through PVC pipes.
You can also use a menthol-containing substance to cover the wires or a motion detector that ‘hisses’ whenever the cat comes too close to the wires.
Why Is My Cat Fake Chewing?
- Gum issues
- An abscessed or broken tooth
- There is something stuck in the mouth
- Nausea
- Seizure (in extremely rare cases)
- Feline calicivirus
- Tonsillitis
Read: Do Cats Care If You Cry?
Can My Cat Have OCD?
Cats can develop OCD if they are stressed out or have a mental disorder.
Felines with obsessive-compulsive disorder might chew on specific fabrics or textures.
How Do I Know If My Cat Has Pica?
A cat with a mild form of pica will lick on inedible objects. In severe cases, the kitty might fully inject the object.
If your cat is chewing, sucking on, or eating objects around the house that are not food, then it might have pica.
How Do You Get Rid of Pica in Cats?
- Make sure that the cat’s diet is not lacking nutrients
- Remove the inedible target objects
- Provide chewing alternatives (like safe plants and toys)
Play with the kitty throughout the day (pica can develop due to boredom)