Hi everyone—I've noticed my cat has started chewing on extra-soft or fragile surfaces like paper towels and lightweight toys, especially when he's bored. Has anyone experienced this? What did you try that actually helped redirect this behavior? Would love any suggestions or product recommendations!
Hello John
Thank you for reaching out. I’m sorry to hear about your cat's chewing behavior.
PICA is quite common in cats, especially those housed exclusively indoors. Medical and behavioral factors that contribute to this behavior include boredom, anxiety, frustration, and insufficient social interaction.
One of my cats has Pica; he licks and chews on plastic bags. I wrote an article last year that should serve as a helpful starting point: https://cats.com/pica-in-cats.
To help manage this behavior, remove or hide the items he likes to chew. Additionally, incorporate or increase daily interactive play sessions, train him to walk on a harness and leash, and consider feeding smaller, frequent meals using puzzle feeders for enrichment. Reducing stress is also essential as part of the treatment plan.
Lastly, if these strategies are ineffective, it's advisable to rule out any medical conditions, as some cats with Pica may have underlying digestive disorders.
I hope this information is helpful.
Best regards,
Melina