Why Do Kittens Chew on Everything?

It is normal for kittens under the age of one year to chew as part of their natural development. They are discovering their teeth, and learning to bite helps protect them in the wild from predators. However, a kitten's chewing can sometimes indicate a more serious problem.

  1. Teething

    • A kitten will chew for comfort while it is teething.

      All kittens go through a teething phase, which usually starts at about four months, when they lose their milk teeth. A kitten's gums might be painful when its adult teeth come through at about eight months old. Kittens chew to seek comfort from their sore gums, and often chew on plastic, wool or cardboard to help soothe their pain. Pet stores also sell specific kitten and cat chewing toys, which may help a kitten through this period.

    Dangerous Chewing

    • Many of a kitten's favorite chewing objects can be very dangerous. It may electrocute itself chewing through electrical cords; and common houseplants, on which kittens often chew, can be poisonous. The Feline Advisory Bureau website provides a list of houseplants which are poisonous for cats.

      To prevent your kitten from chewing on dangerous objects, apply double-stick tape around the electrical cords, or spray citrus or bitter apple on the cords, plants and any other objects you don't want chewed.

      Pet stores sell safe spray-on products to deter kittens from chewing, as well as safe "cat greens" for kittens that enjoy chewing on plants.

    Fleas

    • If a kitten chews on itself, it may have fleas. Fleas are a common problem for both cats and kittens, and need to be treated. A kitten will groom itself, and may well eat its fleas, making it difficult to spot any flea eggs on its skin. If the kitten licks and chews its lower back obsessively, either with or without scabs on its neck, it probably has fleas. When you choose a flea treatment, ensure that it is safe to use on kittens.

    Cat Pica

    • A veterinarian can offer advice about a kitten's excesive chewing.

      Cats or kittens that excessively chew and ingest non-edible objects may have pica, a condition that can cause life-threatening intestinal damage and blocked airwaves. If a kitten seems to be chewing excessively, bring it to a veterinarian for an examination. If underlying medical problems are not the cause, ask for a referral to a veterinary behaviorist who will be able to offer advice about the kitten's chewing behavior.