Most cats love to rub their faces on the edges of things to deposit their scent there. It's very satisfying for them to do so. But what if that rubbing becomes chewing?
The items that cats choose to rub on depends greatly on what items are available to them. Things that stick out are prime choices because they're easy to access and the ends rub the cat’s face in just the right way to satisfy them.
It's a short step to go from rubbing on something to chewing on it. You can redirect a cat’s rubbing and chewing toward something they’ll like even better. Many cats respond to the prickly surfaces on self-grooming toys. Most of these are arches or surfaces with bristles or pegs for rubbing against.
To get a cat to transition, you might want to put these toys close to spots where they used to rub other things. Cats are creatures of habit, so it may take a little bit of time to get them to move to the new groomers, but once they try them, they’ll probably like them even better. Just observe them and make sure they aren’t chewing bits off the groomers. The nubs are usually short enough that this isn't an issue but with a particularly chewy cat, it's a possibility.
You'll also want to discourage your cat from using the old items, so just rub a little bit of lemon juice on them. Cats generally hate citrus, and one whiff should send them running to their new toy instead. It also has the advantage of not having anything but natural ingredients. Never use a citrus cleaner or air freshener for this purpose as they often contain things that could actually kill cats. Just use plain old lemon juice.
Given enough time, you should be able to redirect this unwanted behavior. Just be patient with her and you should see results.
Author: Tom Kirby, UW-AAB - cat behaviorist
I’m certified in applied animal behavior with over six years of experience solving the specific problems faced by cat caregivers like you every day.
I’m here to help you and your feline friends live happier, healthier lives together.
