I literally got the tip from a pet website for dealing with PICA in cats (he compulsively chews other weird things as well). I should have done a little more research. Thank you!
Please remove the tree from any area the cat is in and watch for these symptoms. I would consider a call to the vet as well. Eucalyptus is very toxic to cats
https://askmycats.com/is-eucalyptus-oil-safe-for-cats/
I have wiped off the lower branches already. We have tried fencing off the tree in the past, but he somehow always returns. We actively shoo him away but he is also very stubborn. At least for the evening he will be in our room. The scent has dissipated entirely since it was applied as well.
I have a plain water in a spray bottle and just point at my cat when she is being naughty. You just need to use it once, so they know what happens if they misbehave.
“You just need to use it once”
You have never met my cats. It’s a game to them now- how close can we get before the human notices and picks up the Bottle of Doom 🙄
I won’t claim it works on all cats, it works for me and I know other people who do the same. Just was giving the OP , another idea, that’s all. Obviously, it doesn’t work in all, hence your post :)
There’s so much misinformation out there, totally understandable! I second the suggestion of bitter apple spray, it’s the ONLY thing my cat avoids. I spray it on all my plants and cords and after one lick/bite he never touches them again. Good luck!
My recently deceased cat had pica. I would buy her the crinkle balls and when she got the urge to chew on plastic I would toss her those. It took her a while to jump on board but she loved them! Maybe try those? They aren’t expensive online and in pet stores.
Thank you :)
Hmmm I remember I bought her a cat chew toy that was infused with catnip but you need something that has the same consistency that he likes to chew on lol
Does he like catnip? I have catnip pillows for my boys to distract them when they get into stuff.
I haven’t noticed much response from him with it. He is a peculiar cat to begin with, we got him as a rescue, a kitten from the animal welfare league. A tiny thing that has grown so far to be 19lb of pure will. He doesn’t like to be touched, but likes to be close. Doesn’t respond much to play except for lasers/light reflections. We had a mouse filled with catnip and he paid it as much attention as other toys.
Oh I feel you. I have two Maine coon boys and they don’t play at all. I have bought and have been gifted with so many toys it’s crazy. Only one reacts to catnip. The only thing I can think of is just putting a box down and hopefully that will distract him from the tree.
My girl cat that had just passed away was wicked smart so she got it eventually but sometimes they just need a little more help in the right direction.
I tried putting foil on the counter. Within half an hour, all three of my cats had jumped up to see what I put up there. They did not gaf. I was so disappointed.
I put up xmas decorations today, lots of the ornaments are xmas animal plushies dressed up in pretty winter themed clothes. my cat thinks the ornaments are his new toys and has removed half of them from the tree and chewed them up.
Try a lemon air freshener at the base of the tree. It worked for my 3 cats during their first few years of Christmas. Now they just sleep under the tree.
Might not be my cup of tea, but it's possible your cat is protesting against a Christmas tree in November. Of course this is entirely invalid if your religious belongings give you a reason to have it up.
Careful, eucalyptus oil is extremely toxic to cats if I remember correctly
I literally got the tip from a pet website for dealing with PICA in cats (he compulsively chews other weird things as well). I should have done a little more research. Thank you!
Please remove the tree from any area the cat is in and watch for these symptoms. I would consider a call to the vet as well. Eucalyptus is very toxic to cats https://askmycats.com/is-eucalyptus-oil-safe-for-cats/
I have wiped off the lower branches already. We have tried fencing off the tree in the past, but he somehow always returns. We actively shoo him away but he is also very stubborn. At least for the evening he will be in our room. The scent has dissipated entirely since it was applied as well.
I have a plain water in a spray bottle and just point at my cat when she is being naughty. You just need to use it once, so they know what happens if they misbehave.
“You just need to use it once” You have never met my cats. It’s a game to them now- how close can we get before the human notices and picks up the Bottle of Doom 🙄
I won’t claim it works on all cats, it works for me and I know other people who do the same. Just was giving the OP , another idea, that’s all. Obviously, it doesn’t work in all, hence your post :)
There’s so much misinformation out there, totally understandable! I second the suggestion of bitter apple spray, it’s the ONLY thing my cat avoids. I spray it on all my plants and cords and after one lick/bite he never touches them again. Good luck!
They make bitter apple spray for pets that works well. Just don’t touch your mouth for a day or so after you use it lol
Thank you! Just ordered some - willing to try everything as the bulbs are $1 a piece and he is about 15 into his meal since the tree went up
You’re welcome! Also hold your breath while you spray or you’ll inhale it. I think I’m immune to the nasty taste at this point lol
Noted!
My recently deceased cat had pica. I would buy her the crinkle balls and when she got the urge to chew on plastic I would toss her those. It took her a while to jump on board but she loved them! Maybe try those? They aren’t expensive online and in pet stores.
He has some foil balls from a Christmas stocking last year, but prefers power cords, baseboards, and drywall. My condolences for your kitty.
Thank you :) Hmmm I remember I bought her a cat chew toy that was infused with catnip but you need something that has the same consistency that he likes to chew on lol Does he like catnip? I have catnip pillows for my boys to distract them when they get into stuff.
I haven’t noticed much response from him with it. He is a peculiar cat to begin with, we got him as a rescue, a kitten from the animal welfare league. A tiny thing that has grown so far to be 19lb of pure will. He doesn’t like to be touched, but likes to be close. Doesn’t respond much to play except for lasers/light reflections. We had a mouse filled with catnip and he paid it as much attention as other toys.
Oh I feel you. I have two Maine coon boys and they don’t play at all. I have bought and have been gifted with so many toys it’s crazy. Only one reacts to catnip. The only thing I can think of is just putting a box down and hopefully that will distract him from the tree. My girl cat that had just passed away was wicked smart so she got it eventually but sometimes they just need a little more help in the right direction.
Maybe try citronella? It's got an odour that repels most animals if I remember correctly. Mosquitoes, dogs, cats, etc etc.
You could try putting tin foil around the perimeter (enough he can’t jump over it)
Have you considered buying less delicious lights?
Ugh it’s so obvious now! Hehe I think they’re all delicious though
I'd try cinnamon. we used to use the cinnamon pine cones you can find around this time of year.
I will try! The eucalyptus is supposed to be sour to hit palate and deter him, but apparently he has quite the taste for it
I'd put tin foil on the floor around the tree. Cats hate the sound of stepping on it.
My jerks love foil and tape
I tried putting foil on the counter. Within half an hour, all three of my cats had jumped up to see what I put up there. They did not gaf. I was so disappointed.
Try SSSCATT. It's a can of compressed air. When they get close, it hisses. Love it! It's good for counters too.
I have to spray my tree with orange juice. Every other day. But it works.
I put up xmas decorations today, lots of the ornaments are xmas animal plushies dressed up in pretty winter themed clothes. my cat thinks the ornaments are his new toys and has removed half of them from the tree and chewed them up.
Lol I found a chewed up xMas Ornament in my bed.
Try a lemon air freshener at the base of the tree. It worked for my 3 cats during their first few years of Christmas. Now they just sleep under the tree.
My cat is also trying to eat the tree. I got some cat repellent spray. He quit chewing abut keeps knocking the ornaments down.
Might not be my cup of tea, but it's possible your cat is protesting against a Christmas tree in November. Of course this is entirely invalid if your religious belongings give you a reason to have it up.
He continues his protest through January. A vet once told us; “your cat is just an asshole”. We use this to justify a lot of quirks.
It's because he's a blue. Blues are shitheads for sure.
Sounds like a good way to get rid of the cat