How to Stop a Cat From Chewing

Sometimes cats enjoy chewing more than just their food. Destructive chewing may be due to teething in kittens, exploration, boredom, and perhaps even a vitamin deficiency. Unfortunately, this type of chewing can be hazardous to your cat as well as your belongings. The following steps can help steer your cat away from the wrong “chewables.”

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Cover electrical cords with cord protectors. If it’s a bunched up wad of cords, you can apply rows of double-sided tape, such as Sticky Paws, to the floor surrounding it. Cats are reluctant to walk across sticky tape.

2. Apply bitter apple spray to furniture, plants, and just about anything you want to keep your cat from sinking her teeth into. Bitter apple spray is safe, non-toxic and cats hate the taste. It can also be sprayed on your cat’s coat to prevent biting. There are a variety of organic cat repellent sprays available as well.

3. Place cat-friendly plants such as lemongrass and catnip around the house and in the garden to keep your kitty from chewing the other plants. You can apply bitter apple or other safe spray deterrents to the other plants. Get rid of any plants that can be toxic to cats, such as azaleas, caladium, lilies, dieffenbachia, ivy, mistletoe, poinsettias and philodendron.

4. Provide a variety of toys for your cat to play with while you’re away. Wall or door mounted toys they can swipe at, cat towers and automatic laser chasers make good “play-alone” toys. There are also a variety of toys available for teething kittens. Then, of course, there are the old homemade standbys: a ball tied to a string hanging from a door knob, wadded up pieces of paper, a ball of yarn or feather at the end of a wire.

5. Cat-proof your house as much as possible by keeping small items (such as loose coins, batteries or cell phone chargers) that can be chewed or swallowed out of reach.

6. Feed your cat a nutritionally balanced cat food to prevent vitamin deficiencies that may lead to excessive chewing. You might also ask your vet to recommend dietary supplements.

7. Take your cat for regular dental check-ups. They sometimes chew to relieve pain from a toothache or aching gums.

8. Make a noise to startle your cat when you catch him chewing something inappropriate. For instance, you can clap your hands and shout "no," blow a whistle, or shake a can full of rocks. Another technique is to squirt water at your cat, which will deter, but not hurt him.

Tips & Warnings

• Computer and office supply stores carry individual cord covers and cord cover kits. You can also purchase flexible tubing from most building supply or hardware stores. Slit one side and cut it to match the length of the cord.
• Nurseries carry cat repellent sprays that are safe for your plants.
• If you suspect your cat has ingested anything poisonous, contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary hospital immediately. For a fee, you can also get 24-hour emergency assistance by calling the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Hotline at 1-888-426-4435.
• Chewing on electrical cords can cause minor shock and sometimes be fatal to a cat.
• If applying a deterrent, make sure it's safe for cats. Certain perfumes, for instance, can be toxic, and cayenne pepper or pepper spray can get on your cat's paws and then in the eyes.

[grouch]

on 12/2/2007 I always thought the tape trick was a little mean but it worked to keep the cat off the counters so I don't know why it would not work for this. I do have to say if I shook a can full of rocks at my cat she would come running to me for sure....LUNCH. Thanks for the great tips.