Turtle's Got A New Habit

and I don't know if i should post this under Behavior or Nutrition, and here's the reason why?
On the side of my new recliner(or turtle's new recliner) there is a wooden handle that controls how far back the chair can go back. This morning I caught Turtle chewing on this handle. She was really goin' to town too, let me tell ya! Now, upon further inspection, I see she's been gnawing on for a while. It's quite chewed up!!
What's that all about??
Now you understand she is more important to me than this recliner so I'm not upset with her. I just want to know if anybody has any ideas on what I can do to discourage this. Maybe there's something I can rub on the wood to make it taste yucky? The last thing I want to do is remove splinters from her mouth! That's no way to bond.

Could you wrap tissue paper, duct tape or silver foil around the handle till she forgets about chewing on it?

i used paws away double side sticky tape. works wonders.

My big palm tree trunk is wrapped in this too, as my boy is also a 'chewer' I saw him gnawing on the plastic spindle from my food processor just the other night!

All excellent ideas--thank you!! I'm on it!!!

Ok, I don't mean to be the stick-in-the-mud here, but has she had her teeth checked recently? Spooky starts chewing on stuff and rubbing her gums on things when her teeth are bothering her. She has genetically bad teeth, and had her first tooth removed at two.

Just a thought.

Thanks Laurie. I did think of that because she loves it when I rub her gums. Never had a cat that would let me do that!! I know she's had one dental check up shortly after my friend adopted her and everything checked out. I haven't taken her for another one since she came here to live. I guess it's something I should do to rule out any dental issues. Thanks!!