Hello all,
My cat Tripper likes to chew on soft objects, stuff like cotton shirts, socks, underwear, occasionally bed sheets, and lately pillows. He even goes after flannel blankets, or just anything soft. In his case, I think it's completely behavioral. When he is under stress, he cannot stop chewing on things. Has happened when I am briefly out of town, or when I had to move things around (ex. sleep elsewhere because they spilled their water cooler on the bedroom carpet..) He also chews when he is bored, or lately, when he can't wake me up in the morning hours. He likes to chew AND eat the fabric. The only way I've been combating this is keeping everything in closets or heavy lidded boxes like hope chests. He's already made his way into under bed storage and I'm fairly certain he will figure out how to get into the chest of drawers if I have one. He can get into plastic bins with no problem, and was able to yank the childproof latches open after several tries of yank, slam, yank, slam.
And what is alarming to me is, lately I see bite marks on some of my electrical cords.
I already have feliway plugs in the house. (which has helped mostly) I give him lots of attention and they have a cat tree and elevated areas to hide/play. (he has 2 other companions) I've sprayed with vinegar and bitter yuck, none deters him. He LIKES to even chew and eat adhesive tape. I can't figure out what else I can use to deter him? He goes ahead and steps right on aluminum foil, does not work. Other than something really damaging like hot sauce, I can't imagine what would work? (and not going that direction..)
I've been trying to avoid putting him on prozac (vet's suggestion), but it seems that he may actually need it at this point. Any thoughts on this or suggestions??
Thanks much in advance,
Grace
My cat Tripper likes to chew on soft objects, stuff like cotton shirts, socks, underwear, occasionally bed sheets, and lately pillows. He even goes after flannel blankets, or just anything soft. In his case, I think it's completely behavioral. When he is under stress, he cannot stop chewing on things. Has happened when I am briefly out of town, or when I had to move things around (ex. sleep elsewhere because they spilled their water cooler on the bedroom carpet..) He also chews when he is bored, or lately, when he can't wake me up in the morning hours. He likes to chew AND eat the fabric. The only way I've been combating this is keeping everything in closets or heavy lidded boxes like hope chests. He's already made his way into under bed storage and I'm fairly certain he will figure out how to get into the chest of drawers if I have one. He can get into plastic bins with no problem, and was able to yank the childproof latches open after several tries of yank, slam, yank, slam.
And what is alarming to me is, lately I see bite marks on some of my electrical cords.
I already have feliway plugs in the house. (which has helped mostly) I give him lots of attention and they have a cat tree and elevated areas to hide/play. (he has 2 other companions) I've sprayed with vinegar and bitter yuck, none deters him. He LIKES to even chew and eat adhesive tape. I can't figure out what else I can use to deter him? He goes ahead and steps right on aluminum foil, does not work. Other than something really damaging like hot sauce, I can't imagine what would work? (and not going that direction..)
I've been trying to avoid putting him on prozac (vet's suggestion), but it seems that he may actually need it at this point. Any thoughts on this or suggestions??
Thanks much in advance,
Grace
.
He's the only cat in the house that eats fabric. I did ask the vet several times during his checkups (and during his numerous UTI/cystisis episodes months back). The vet suggested putting him on anti-anxiety drugs or if not, to redirect his need for chewing with cat dental chew toys. She also suggested giving extra fiber. I give him a teaspoon of psyllium husk with his food every day, and he destroys his cat chew toys. And he actually chews on doggy rawhide. He really likes to chew. 
) for teething kitties. He seems to like that texture - so get a box and scatter them around! Spray the cords with bitter apple, or purchase those thicker plastic covers (for bundled cords, but these will protect him) to put over your electric cords.
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