Destructive Chewing by Cats and Kittens

Destructive chewing by cats is undesirable, first, because of the potential of danger to the cat, and second, because of damage to family valuables. Causes of destructive chewing by cats can range from teething in kittens to curiosity, to boredom, and even (surprise!) because of a nutrient deficiency.

Kittens, like human babies, explore with their mouths, and these habits often carry through to adulthood. We'll explore here the kinds of things cats typically chew, possible causes, and ways to prevent destructive chewing.