The truth about cats chewing that vets and behaviorists want owners to know

Cats are curious by nature. They climb and chew their way through their homes, constantly looking for new places to lounge and ways to play.

But when does chewing become less playful and more worrisome?

A handful of veterinarians and pet behaviorists have weighed in on the topic, offering cat owners practical advice on when to sound the alarm on their cat’s chewing habits.

For starters, Purina’s Pet Expert Team — comprised of vets and pet behavior specialists — said kittens are most likely to chew on anything and everything to ease the pain of teething. Just like a human baby who grabs and gnaws on anything in sight, cats are the same in that way. But older cats might take up chewing due to stress or boredom.

Pet parents are advised to keep potentially hazardous objects, such as wires and chargers, tucked away and out of sight, as chewing on them can lead to electrocution. Ribbons and similar stringy items, plastic bags, hair ties, and anything sharp should also be kept out of reach.

There are a slew of houseplants that can also be harmful to cats, especially if chewed, as the team at PetMD points out. Those include:

Instead, guide kittens and older cats toward chew toys, scratchers or puzzles. The Purina Pet Expert Team said that chewing is vital to a cat’s mental stimulation. There are even chew toys and treats aimed at boosting dental health! And if a cat keeps sniffing around the houseplants, experts recommend ordering cat grass to steer them toward that instead.

“Cat grass is safer than outdoor grass which may have been chemically treated with pesticides,” animal behaviorist Carlo Siracusa told PetMD. “It also gives your cat a healthy alternative to nibbling on houseplants and flowers, many of which are toxic to cats.”

However, in some cases, cat chewing could be a sign of a more serious medical condition.

Certified cat behaviorist Stephen Quandt explained to Woman’s World that some cats can develop pica, a condition where they repeatedly ingest non-food items. A 2016 study showed that pica was prevalent in cats that weren’t given as much food as those with constant access. But pica can also stem from nutritional deficiencies, neurological diseases, and mental health issues.

“If one suspects pica in their cat, a vet visit is highly recommended,” Quandt told the publication. “Early intervention is important in preventing it from becoming a chronic behavior.”