Chewing - do they grow out of it?

**Rachel-C** · 8th February 2011, 01:26 PM

OK, so I've been meaning to post this for ages and need to ask a question - it's several years since we had "da kittenz in da house".

Our lovely Monty (aka Monster) is a little over 7½ months old and chews anything and everything he can lay his paws on. Favourites are cardboard and paper (including newly purchased valentine's cards) but he will destroy anything he can sink his teeth into - Whiskas Temptations boxes are also a favourite! We've never had a problem with Gracie, and whilst we can't be annoyed with him cos we end up in fits of laughter with that look you get, I do wonder if he is likely to grow out of it or if he will remain a chomping reprobate for the rest of his days.

Any advice, especially on tips to discourage it, will be gratefully received

**WoodsideMaineCoons** · 8th February 2011, 02:02 PM

I think they just enjoy chewing really - I know that Malia loves to chew on straws and they all like to carry things around in their mouths.

You could try using a squirty water bottle every time he starts chewing but that won't work if there are things he is allowed to chew - he will just get confused.

You could check his teeth and gums over to make sure all looks OK as if he is in discomfort or having big teeth still coming through, that could make him want to chew more.

**Steve Morgan** · 8th February 2011, 09:00 PM

All 4 of ours chew!
From the 4 1\2 month kitten to the 3 year old, they will chomp on anything but their favorite is electrical cables!! Every exposed cable in the house is now covered with that curly "Cable Tidy" stuff designed to bundle computer cables. It adds an extra layer to the cable and they dont seem to like chewing it!

**Catlover** · 8th February 2011, 10:08 PM

Dudley loves to chew and unfortunately he seems interested in nibbling things made of glass at 'the mo! Sylvester isn't do into chewing so maybe it does get better with age. With regards to cable chewing- a friend of mine coated her cables with some special lemon smelling liquid and apparently that works a treat. Dudley chewed his way into some m&s cookies yesterday and ran through the house with one in his jaws! Never known a cat to want carbs like that.

**Jimbo** · 9th February 2011, 01:00 PM

I know my 6 month Maine Coon chews everything, mainly my hand and fingers though. He doesn't hurt, but that might change when he gets bigger!

**jopetportraits** · 9th February 2011, 01:49 PM

My Ally loves to lick and chew plastic bags and packaging. I'm always finding needle holes in things. He never eats it just chews. Finn is a chewer the same but not a licker and Mitch and Keeps are both lickers. Ages ranging from 5 and a half years to eight years so it could be a lifelong thing:-))

**Rachel-C** · 9th February 2011, 05:29 PM

Thanks so much for all your replies.

Looks as if it's very much a common breed characteristic and likely he may well not grow out of it - ho hum!

Ah well, designated cardbox box now installed in the living room so hoping we can discourage random chewing - gotta love 'em