Destructive Chewing - Tried Everything :(

[Misprints]

My 8-month-old kitten, Rollo, has become very destructive lately. He's chewing the corners off all of my wooden furniture, blinds, decor, and even helping himself to some charging cords that I've hidden away in a drawer.

I try to play with him at least thirty minutes a day (in two fifteen minute sessions), but I've been having difficulty getting him engaged in play. I take him outside on a leash and harness every day, weather permitting, for at least thirty minutes. I've given him a variety of things to chew on (Matatabi sticks, salmon skins, chew toys) but he ignores them, even when I offer them to him in place of the "illegal" chew object. I give him plenty of attention. No bitter spray or citrus scent has deterred him, and I'm hesitant about using hot sauce on my furniture.

He eats a high quality wet food (KOHA and Hounds & Gatos) and is transitioning to raw. The vet said that there is nothing wrong with him, nutrition or dental wise.

I love Rollo to bits, but this has become incredibly stressful for me. He's outright destroyed a few of my possessions and expensive furniture, and I think that he's eaten some of the plastic and wood that he's chewed away, so I'm extremely worried about his health, too.

What else can I possibly do to stop this chewing, apart from keeping him confined to a pen? Getting him a playmate is out of the question at the moment due to financial reasons. I doubt it would help much, though; back when he did have a playmate (a friendly puppy), he was still having problems with chewing -- though not to the extent that he does today.

 

[neely]

I hope this helps. Here is a very informative Article that discusses How to Stop Problem Chewing in Cats: How To Stop Problem Chewing In Cats

 

[FeebysOwner]

This product claims to be safe when used on furniture and fabrics. I have no idea what it might smell like, but may be you could buy a can and at least test it?

There are other similar products on the market, and they aren't really all that expensive, so perhaps you could experiment with a few different ones until you find one that actually works!

You could also use any of these type products on old towels/rags and cut them to size to wrap around furniture legs, or lay cut up pieces on or near the blinds, etc.

https://www.chewy.com/four-paws-kee...m=4585238368370641&utm_content=Dog Repellents

 

[susanm9006]

A lot of cats his age like to chew things. I would try keep most of what he is chewing on away. Keep the blinds up, keep cords put away or covered with cord covers. I would also give him some things he can chew on. Like a cardboard box, some cat chew sticks or strings and sturdy catnip toys like Yeoww bananas.

 

[Misprints]

A lot of cats his age like to chew things. I would try keep most of what he is chewing on away. Keep the blinds up, keep cords put away or covered with cord covers. I would also give him some things he can chew on. Like a cardboard box, some cat chew sticks or strings and sturdy catnip toys like Yeoww bananas.

I have put all that I could away — picture frames up where he can’t get to them, cords in drawers (which he has unfortunately figured out how to open), etc. I’m going to try putting plastic corner protectors on things that I can’t move, but I’d really like to break him out of the habit instead of just treating the symptoms.

He has plenty of “legal” items to chew on, including jerky, sticks, and catnip toys. He’ll chew on them from time to time, but much prefers destroying furniture or chewing his plastic toys until they break.

I try to keep at least one of the legal objects on me at all times so that I can give it to him when I see that he’s trying to chew on something that he shouldn’t be, but to no effect.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Sometimes treating the symptoms is what breaks the habit. It is not ever an instaneous result. It takes time, testing, time, re-testing, time, discipline plans that are consistently carried out, and - again more time.

Have him tested for nutrient deficiencies. Maybe there is a medical reason for his obsession to chew on things.

Worse case scenario, hire a behavior specialist, or ask your vet about CBD oil to help calm him down. I only suggest this because it seems as if you feel you've done all you can and we are not offering any valuable help.

 

[Kflowers]

If your blinds have cords to pull them up and down, be sure to tie them into a bow as high up as you can reach. Cats have been known to get the cords around their necks and strangle.

We used Tabasco sauce on the cords, we didn't have furniture chewers. Test it on a part of the furniture that doesn't show. either the back or if the finish doesn't go there see if it is on the side of the door that fits inside the frame. If you want to use it. As FeebysOwner said, whatever you use, test it first.