Chewing wood

CMYKjill · **Joined:** Tue Sep 23, 2014 6:38 pm **Posts:** 1838

Grace has been chewing the corners of my night stands and a teak planter by the front door. I put orange oil on the night stands and I don't see her gnawing on them ane more, but I just noticed she has moved on to the bed in my guest room (their room). The two posts at the end of the bed have been chewed beyond repair. I just put orange oil on all the square edges of the bed but I am really disappointed in this phase she is going through. All these pieces of furniture were new and in perfect condition. She has also been extending her long nails into the arm rests of my favorite leather chair and stretching her back while looking into my eyes. I have even seen Blondie mimicking the behavior, but it is Grace that is doing the damage. I adore both of them, and I am not into yelling at them. I don't think they would understand that anyway.

spitspot · **Joined:** Mon Jan 12, 2015 2:26 pm **Posts:** 734

Try the hard cardboard scratch pads . Oscar loves to chew those

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

Oh Jill. You know bengals never leave that naughty toddler stage -- EVER! But Grace seems to have a huge PICA problem. It's mostly true that people can't have nice things with a cat around. You need to give Grace more cardboard! :biggrin:

CMYKjill · **Joined:** Tue Sep 23, 2014 6:38 pm **Posts:** 1838

They have cardboard boxes that they play in but they don't chew them. Grace seems to want something harder to sink her teeth into I'll order a cardboard scratch pad and see if that interests her. Thanks for the suggestion.

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

Find some hard treats! And Raiden has a few chew toys for cats.

CMYKjill · **Joined:** Tue Sep 23, 2014 6:38 pm **Posts:** 1838

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

Oh gosh, Jill. Eating the chew toys? Hope the new scratcher helps.

CMYKjill · **Joined:** Tue Sep 23, 2014 6:38 pm **Posts:** 1838

CMYKjill · **Joined:** Tue Sep 23, 2014 6:38 pm **Posts:** 1838

The scratcher pad arrived and it came with a bag of catnip. Grace was in it in a flash rolling, scratching and chewing. I hope it redirects her need to chew.

cranberry · **Joined:** Wed Aug 28, 2013 7:42 pm **Posts:** 641

CMYKjill · **Joined:** Tue Sep 23, 2014 6:38 pm **Posts:** 1838

I'll try bitter Apple. I've been using orange oil but she just moves onto something else. Right now they are fighting over the new scratch pad. They both slept in the living room with it last night.

ttl · **Joined:** Sat Jan 09, 2016 10:24 pm **Posts:** 148

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

Citrus doesn't deter any cat that I know! Vinegar either! But hope Gracie has something better to concentrate on now.

spitspot · **Joined:** Mon Jan 12, 2015 2:26 pm **Posts:** 734

How is Grace liking the scratch pads? are they an alternative to your furniture or does she prefer wood?

jodonut99 · **Posted:** Sat Feb 06, 2016 12:13 pm

Hi Jill, Sorry to hear you and Grace are having the PICA issues! These often seem to be quite extreme when they are talked about!
If I may, can I suggest it might be worth you taking a look at the Nylabone range of toys - I helped someone previously who had two Bengals with PICA (One copied the other and so developed the habit!) - as they are an inert nylon bone or chew toy, that sheds fibres which can be passed easily through the system.
They do a puppy range, which has ham or other meat flavouring, to encourage the chewing away from inanimate objects. I believe they also now do a cat range, although for PICA I would think the puppy / dog range is stronger...
Not sure where you are, but they are a US company, and stocked in loads of pet shops in US / UK.
Good luck and hope the catnip does provide a distraction for a good while!
Jo x

Chewing wood

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