Biting everything but us

Our boy Salem has a crazy biting problem. The thing is, he will bite EVERYTHING in the house but us. YES we are thankful he isn't biting us, but he is destroying a lot of things. He isn't a kitten, he is 3 1/2 years old. Everyone in the house plays with him often and gives him toys to bite instead, but he only wants to bite things that we don't want him to. Every since we got him [about 2 years ago], he has had this obsession with biting the blinds on the windows. All of the blinds in the house are completely chewed up with punctures all over them. We have tried spraying the bitter apple stuff that's supposed to get him to stop biting our stuff but it turns out he likes the way it tastes even more. Whenever we catch him in the act, we say no loud and clear. He will run away and hide under the bed, but 10 minutes later he will be at it again. I don't think he's in pain, because he doesn't show any other signs. While he is biting things, he is purring very loud.We all love our boy Salem so much, but this biting is getting out of hand. He reminds me of a teething puppy, he has destroyed furniture, plants, blinds, and even cd covers. Anyone have any advice?

Have you had a vet look at his teeth? Maybe he is biting things because he's in pain (like a teething kitten)?

I haven't really thought about that, but wouldn't he be showing other signs? When he does it, he's purring very loud

Purring is not only a sign of pleasure or happiness. Some cats purr when they're ill, in pain or afraid. One of our cats purrs at the vet, and it is clearly because he's afraid. One of our cats has a problem with plaque build-up, and has had to have a dental every year from one year old - she's five, and has lost two teeth. And we brush her teeth and give her dental treats. But we know it's time to get her in for the dental when she starts chewing on things a lot.

However, if this does not turn out to be the case, some people have found that the bitter apple works very effectively (when just spraying it on the items) didn't work - when you spray a little bit directly into kitty's mouth and then on the stuff you don't want him to chew on.

If you are giving him stuff to chew on - is similar in texture to the plastic he's been going after? That's why he might not be attracted to it. Plastic can obviously be dangerous for kitties if it splinters or is easy to eat - have you tried bendy straws? You might want to give them a try.

Laurie

I know the purring doesn't always mean happiness, but it's weird because if you put your hand near him while he's doing it, he'll lick and rub against you. We should be taking him to the vet again soon [because of his constant vomiting] so we will get his teeth checked out. I bought toothbrushes for both of the boys and we are going to attempt to use them when necessary. The toys we give him to chew are mostly rubber cat toys or plush ones. I am going to try the straw method tonight, I have a feeling he's going to like them.

Does you kitty like being brushed? This is how we trained Spooky to have her teeth brushed. She LOVES being brushed, and being a cat, she LOVES having her cheeks brushed. We just started brushing at her mouth and up her cheek. Then we did this with the tooth brush for a few days (cleaning all the hair out of it every night). She started chewing on the baby brush when we were brushing her - which got the brush in her mouth. We don't go up and down, we go back and forth - but she LOVES it now and demands to get her teeth brushed. We don't use toothpaste, although it does exist for cats. Our vet said it isn't necessary.

Laurie

Good tips, thanks. Salem loves being brushed as well, and he likes to bite the brush while we are brushing him. We have the toothpaste, but I don't really think Salem would take a fancy to that.

Were you able to get a bunch of straws? Has he taken to them at all?

Laurie

We gave Salem straws and he loves to bite on them. Thanks