Chunk's chewing problem

[Tina B and crew]

This started just a few weeks ago and it is mainly furniture that he is chewing on. He has chewed up the corner of my desk and the chair that goes with it. He's chewed up the corner of a shelve and I also catch him grabbing CD's off the shelf and chewing on them! So far the only way I have been able to get him to stop is by rubbing lemon or orange peel on the wood. That seems to have nipped it in the bud. But what I'm wondering is why he started doing this? I am thinking it is behavioral, because it didn't start until after Willow died and Lucy came on board. Everything else in his life is normal. He eats just fine and gets plenty of play time every day. I thought it might be boredom, but if we gave the cat any more attention we'd never get anything done.

Oh...I had also posted about Lucy being obsessed with my computer, well Chunk has started the same thing and occasionally tries to chew on the corner of it! I keep it out of his reach when I'm not using it, so he can't damage it, but sheesh!

Otherwise things are going great with Lucy and Chunk. They are getting along well and Lucy does not let Chunk push her around. I am still missing Willow something terrible though. Yesterday and today have been particularly bad for me. I just wish I could have her back

[momPaws]

Hugs ((((Tina))))
I understand as I think of Honey more at this time. Thank God for our pets now...little Angel just made me laugh as she was fascinated watching dancing Santas on tv.

Hope you can deter Chunk, but glad they are getting along good...pics!!! (Wish I had your camera : )

[Traci]

I think you might have a boredom problem with Chunk, or an attention thing. Some cats will focus on your personal items, that is, those things they see you using a great deal and think you and those things are taking attention away from them!

My K2 chews on paper, books, sticky notes and notepads I have on my desk if he thinks I'm at the desk too long. None of the cats have chewed on the computer or peripherals, but you want to nip that in the bud as soon as you can. Maybe divert his attention to a chew toy, a certain activity, or choose time when he's napping to do your computer work, etc.

[Tina B and crew]

I think you might have a boredom problem with Chunk, or an attention thing. Some cats will focus on your personal items, that is, those things they see you using a great deal and think you and those things are taking attention away from them!

Yet it's so random - sometimes it is my desk, which I really don't use regularly and sometimes it's an end table, or CD's, which I NEVER use or even touch. The computer I can understand, because the only time that happens is when I have it open and am using it, so it IS taking my attention. He's only done that once or twice and stops as soon as I say something (Lucy, on the other hand, acts like it's a salt lick or something!) Like I said, he gets play time daily, usually several times a day when I'm home, and spends plenty of time playing with Lucy. The cat does not lack for attention from his humans by any stretch of the imagination.

Maybe divert his attention to a chew toy, a certain activity, or choose time when he's napping to do your computer work, etc.

Herein lies part of the problem, I've heard him chewing on things at 2 or 3 in the morning. So there isn't a certain time, activity of mine, or lack of attention I can tie this to, and distracting him in the wee hours of the morning when I'd really rather be sleeping is not going to work...LOL Thankfully the lemon peel has worked so far. I'm just perplexed as to why all of the sudden he started this, and why mainly wood? He actually probably gets more attention now than he did 3 months ago.

[Traci]

Have you been stressed lately? Any changes in routine?

I find that if I'm overly stressed, and don't keep it in check, my cats react. Some of them react like they're little monsters and sometimes it's hard for me to undo.

I've been royally stressed lately, and although I do my best not to let on around them, a few of the cats can sense it, and will do things they know they're not supposed to do - and they see how far they can go - they're testing me. (like getting into and playing in the cupboards, getting on the counters, chewing on stuff or just getting rambunctious). With the cold weather we're having, I think they also have cabin fever, that is, shorter daylight hours, less sunlight to enjoy.

To be on the safe side, if you haven't had Chunk to the vet for an exam lately, maybe make an appointment to at least check his oral health in the event he has a tooth problem. Unlikely, given his young age, but play it safe.

Also re-evaluate what you're feeding him. Have you noticed him having any trouble eating kibble or anything? (just a rule-out).

[Tina B and crew]

Stressed? Me? Never! Ha! Stress has been my middle name this past year. I do my best to not let it show at home and am usually pretty laid back, but it is a possibility. But I've been more stressed at other times before he started doing this. I'm going to try to get him in for his vet check in the next few weeks, before I go to Florida in January for my granddaughter's arrival into the world.

Again, though, so far so good after rubbing the lemon peel on the places he chewed the most.