It can be distressing to watch your feline friend gnawing on your beloved wooden furniture. If you’re experiencing this with your cat, you’re not alone. Many cat owners face the puzzling behavior of cats chewing on inedible household items. One concerned owner wrote in, describing their 2-year-old Siamese cat’s habit of biting furniture corners, wondering if it was diet-related or behavioral.
This behavior, known as pica, should be taken seriously. Chewing and potentially ingesting non-food items like furniture can lead to dangerous intestinal blockages. While your girlfriend with farm cats might not have encountered this, it doesn’t mean it’s simply a dietary deficiency.
Pica in cats can stem from various roots – dietary, medical, or behavioral. The first crucial step is a veterinary check-up. A vet can rule out medical causes and may recommend medication alongside behavior modification techniques. Consulting a certified cat behaviorist can also be incredibly beneficial. They can provide tailored strategies to redirect your cat’s chewing habits away from your furniture. These strategies often include introducing appealing alternatives to chew on, establishing a consistent routine, and enriching your cat’s environment.
One effective approach is to offer your cat acceptable chewing outlets. Think about safe, dental chew toys designed for cats, or even cat-safe jerky treats made from chicken or turkey (ensure they are completely spice-free). Environmental enrichment plays a vital role in diverting your cat’s attention. Provide plenty of interactive toys that are engaging but not chewable and swallowable, such as TurboScratchers or ball and track toys. Puzzle toys, where you can hide treats, are also excellent for mental stimulation, like this cat puzzle toy.
This is where a Chewy Cat Tower can become a valuable addition to your home. Imagine a cat tower constructed with safe, chewable materials. Instead of your cat targeting your wooden furniture, they could be drawn to a chewy cat tower designed to satisfy their urge to gnaw in a safe and appropriate way. A chewy cat tower offers a vertical space for climbing and exploration, fulfilling their natural instincts, while also providing designated areas for chewing.
Beyond a chewy cat tower and chew toys, a consistent daily schedule is also key. Feeding your cat at the same times each day helps create predictability. Consider offering smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day if possible, perhaps using timed feeders. Regular grooming sessions at the same time daily can also be incorporated if your cat enjoys it. Siamese cats, especially younger ones around 2 years old, are typically playful. Engage your cat in at least two energetic play sessions daily, morning and evening, using a fishing pole toy to mimic hunting and tire them out.
Clicker training, a positive reinforcement method, can further assist in redirecting your cat’s focus away from furniture and towards more desirable behaviors, potentially including interacting with their chewy cat tower.
By addressing potential underlying issues, enriching your cat’s environment with stimulating toys like a chewy cat tower, and implementing consistent routines and positive training, you can help curb furniture chewing and ensure your cat’s well-being and your furniture’s safety.
By: Marilyn Krieger
Featured Image: Via Seth Goodman/Flickr
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