Chewing on Cardboard

@Aurone (4755)
United States
January 14, 2011 4:02pm CST
One of my cats Freddie (who is declawed--no I didn't do--he came that way when I rescued him) has starting biting cardboard all of a sudden. Does anyone else's cat do this, should I be worried? Could this be an indication that something is wrong with him or is it just an annoying habit he has all of a sudden picked up.
3 people like this
7 responses
• United States
15 Jan 11
I'm going to keep it simple, yes my cat does this and so do the other cats we have. First its a smell thing, there is something in the cardboard that stimulates them. Second, you ever popped bubble wrap? You like it don't you? well cats have a preference...if they like it..they do it. Dogs have owner...Cats have pets. As long as there is no glue or harmful chemicals..its fine. I also have a dog who on command will shred my papers,folders and any paper product..she is so silly. i say recycle and Roxy recycles with fury. Pets are your best friends, but if your human best friend chews on cardboard..be alarmed...be very alarmed..
@Aurone (4755)
• United States
24 Jan 11
lol. My friends are weird but not that weird. Thanks for the comment.
• Argentina
18 Jan 11
hi MWT1967, you made me laugh, both with the silly Roxy story (I want a recycling dog like that!) and the human best friend chewing cardboard, lol
1 person likes this
@marinarovi (1318)
• Argentina
18 Jan 11
Hi Aurone! Both my cats (yes, I have a new member in the family) bit cardboard when they were little and then they grew out of it. well, actually, one did, the other onde is not even 3 months old yet, and still loves to chew paper and cardboard and sleep in my bags.
1 person likes this
@Aurone (4755)
• United States
24 Jan 11
Freddie seems to have grown into it. He didn't do when he was kitten. He just started a month or so ago. I imagine its like someone else suggested. He is bored and chewing on cardboard is fun.
1 person likes this
• Argentina
28 Jan 11
It sure IS fun, since many cats love to do it! Good luck with your important papers, don't leave them lying around, lol
@GardenGerty (157946)
• United States
15 Jan 11
Maybe he tried it and found it feels good to his teeth and jaws. Some things are manufactured in a way that smells good to our pets, and makes them want to chew or lick.
@Aurone (4755)
• United States
24 Jan 11
That could be it. Thanks for responding.
@ElicBxn (63252)
• United States
14 Jan 11
Could he be bored? I've had cardboard chewers, paper shredders, and a bunch will pee on ANYTHING! Probably not something lacking in the diet, but could be that he needs some stimulation...
1 person likes this
@Aurone (4755)
• United States
24 Jan 11
I have been gone a lot this month. I am teaching a winter intersession course and I am gone from about 2-10 four days a week. It could be that he is bored because he is used to me being home more and being able to play with him. I have one that pees on stuff too, but that usually only happens when she is upset or the litterbox isn't to her liking.
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63252)
• United States
25 Jan 11
lets home that when you stop teaching he'll quit chewing...
• United States
13 Feb 11
i think all cats do that given the opportunity.if he's eating it,he may have a slight vitamin deficency..but more likely he's just playing.any boxes come in here there's a queue to play in it.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (111487)
• El Paso, Texas
14 Mar 21
Yeah, cats do love cardboard but so far mine haven't chewed on any of it.
@Suzieqmom (2755)
• United States
14 Jan 11
I have a cat who has chewed on cardboard & paper for years, and another that chews on plastic. Both has fine teeth, gums, and diets, so I think they are just weird. Both are males; don't know if that makes a different (accounts for the overall weirdness, no doubt!) Your cat could have something going on with his teeth; see if his gums are red or swollen or if he has bad breath. If he seems fine, maybe he's just picked up a fun new habit!
@Aurone (4755)
• United States
24 Jan 11
Fun new habit for him, not for me. He makes quite a bit of noise when he does it and when he starts up in the middle of the night, I don't really appreciate it.
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
14 Jan 11
I have one that chews plastic and another who tries to eat curling ribbon. Could be he has some kind of a vitamin deficiency, but some cats just like chewing weird things...
@Aurone (4755)
• United States
24 Jan 11
One of my cats likes to lick plastic bags. Cats can be weird sometimes.
1 person likes this