Why Does My Cat Chew on All the pieces? 6 Attainable Causes

[ad_1]

Cat Chewing on toy

Cats aren’t identified to be avid chewers like canine are, so conditions of obsessive or damaging chewing could be regarding. A feline that chews excessively could be displaying indicators of an underlying well being situation that must be addressed. Nonetheless, some cats merely discover it entertaining to chew issues that they’re taking part in with, which could be fully regular.

If you end up coping with a cat that appears to wish to chew on every little thing, this text will talk about six potential explanation why.

The 6 Causes Why Your Cat Chews on All the pieces

1. Dental and Gum Points

vet checking the mouth and teeth of an abyssinian cat at his clinic
Picture Credit score: Nataly Mayak, Shutterstock

Dental and gum points are widespread in cats, with research reporting that about 50% to 90% of cats over 4 years previous could undergo from it1. Frequent dental points in cats embody periodontitis, tooth reabsorption, and gingivitis. These points could be painful for cats, however fortunately treatable and preventable.

A cat with oral ache and itchy gums would possibly discover reduction by chewing on objects across the dwelling, even when they don’t seem to be purported to. Nonetheless, their extreme chewing might result in damaged or broken enamel and gums if their underlying dental or gum difficulty is left untreated.

You must contact a veterinarian in the event you suspect your cat is chewing from dental and gum points. Acceptable therapy can assist cease your felines chewing conduct and supply them with applicable ache reduction. It’s endorsed to intently monitor your cat’s dental and gum well being and be sure that any dental points are being prevented.


2. Anxiousness

Some cats are anxious chewers and chewing might be their manner of relieving their nervousness. Cats can grow to be anxious for a number of causes, from one thing so simple as a small disruption of their atmosphere to continual ache circumstances. Their anxious chewing can grow to be an obsessive behavior that would destroy the house.

One of the best ways to assist an anxious chewer is to take them to a veterinarian to find out the reason for their nervousness. If their nervousness is brought on by ache or an underlying well being situation, the veterinarian will make it easier to discover an applicable administration plan in your cat. As soon as a feline’s nervousness points are being managed, their anxious chewing habits could subside.


3. Boredom

Cats can grow to be bored if they don’t seem to be stored mentally and bodily entertained. This could trigger them to search for different shops to attempt to ease their boredom, equivalent to chewing on objects across the dwelling.

If so, it’s a good suggestion to redirect their consideration to cat toys which are secure for them to chew. You also needs to look into methods of preserving your cat entertained via day by day train, interactive toys, and rewarding challenges.

Though most felines are likely to lounge round throughout the day, it doesn’t imply that they don’t want leisure. A bored cat could rise up to all kinds of mischief, together with damaging chewing or furniture-scratching habits.

A small pet feline playfully chewing a soft cat toy
Picture Credit score: 6ARO, Shutterstock

4. Pica

When you discover that your cat is chewing and consuming inedible objects, they might have pica—a fancy conduct with quite a few underlying causes. Pica could be harmful for cats as they’re uncovered to doubtlessly dangerous toxins and gastrointestinal obstructions from chewing and consuming inedible objects. This dysfunction just isn’t very properly understood in felines, however it’s thought to deliver a way of reward to cats that fuels the conduct.

A cat affected by pica not solely destroys and ingests a few of your belongings however places their well being in danger. This dysfunction must be recognized and handled by a veterinarian.


5. Obsessive-Compulsive Dysfunction (OCD)

Though it’s a uncommon prognosis for many cats, their uncommon chewing conduct might be the results of obsessive-compulsive dysfunction (OCD).

Cats with OCD don’t simply show repetitive behaviors, however somewhat ones which are executed excessively and inappropriately as a substitute of their regular behaviors. It’s normally related to nervousness issues, and most cats with OCD require lifelong therapy with the assistance of veterinary specialists.

A cat with OCD could excessively chew and lick objects within the dwelling for no obvious cause and typically on the expense of their well being. They could cease grooming themselves or eat usually to compulsively chew as a substitute. Nonetheless, an underlying medical situation equivalent to gum or dental points ought to be dominated out first by a veterinarian.

Cat playing with a cat chew toy
Picture Credit score: kou2341, Shutterstock

6. Teething

Cats undergo two teething phases. The primary stage happens at about 8 weeks previous, and the opposite stage is between 3 to 7 months previous. You would possibly discover behavioral modifications in teething kittens, equivalent to a want to chew on objects like laborious furnishings. It’s because teething is usually a painful course of and their gums are doubtless irritated.

Chewing can provide kittens a little bit of reduction from discomfort, and except they’ve applicable toys to chew on, your belongings might be utilized in alternative. Teething kittens ought to be supplied textured chew toys which are safer and more practical than random objects across the dwelling.

Conclusion

Cats can begin chewing every little thing across the dwelling for varied causes. Some widespread causes embody dental and gum points, boredom, and teething phases for kittens. Chewing is normally used as a manner in your feline to alleviate any psychological and bodily discomfort they could be feeling. Though some causes might be easy and simply handled, others could be extra critical and require veterinary therapy.

You must all the time monitor the objects your cat chews, as many objects round our dwelling might be harmful for cats, equivalent to electrical wires. Their consideration ought to be redirected to applicable chew toys as a substitute. Any irregular and extreme chewing ought to be introduced up with a veterinarian.


Featured Picture Credit score: Dorothe, Pixabay

[ad_2]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *