Chewing on wood

Hi! I've got a kitten and when he climbs trees, he nibbles on the small twigs too and bites through the leaves. He’s teething, so it must be "normal" behaviour for them to do that. Personally, it doesn’t worry me! When you think about it, even though our cats love hunting rodents, they’re little rodents themselves... of the wood-chewing variety ;)

I’m not suggesting anyone should follow my lead. I’m the first to panic when my cat swallows something, but you just can’t be watching them 24/7. There are always going to be risks :) I’m not for a second suggesting you’re being malicious or irresponsible, and I understand you want to reassure her so she doesn't worry too much, but as they say, let’s still be cautious and sensible :)

My little puss used to gnaw on a floorboard ages ago and she absolutely loves playing with toothpicks... I tend to think that cats aren't completely clueless and won't just swallow anything... But given what she's managed to gulp down in the past, I'm amazed she's in such good health! ^^ Don't worry, they're hardy little things. Yes, quite right, you can't control that sort of behaviour in the wild, but indoors it's best to avoid leaving small bits and bobs lying around that could be swallowed... better safe than sorry! Of course, a toothpick will soften once it’s wet with saliva, just like a bit of wood gnawed on outside, and as you say, they are resilient. But all it takes is a bit of bad luck; for instance, if they're playing and get over-excited, they might not chew properly and there you go... a potential blockage. Sorry to disagree, but I still think it's a lethal hazard ;) That said, there are different types of food you can give to help pass any nasty foreign objects they might have sneakily swallowed :)

Maybe he was a little beaver in a past life ;) Seriously though, I definitely wouldn't let my cat gnaw on wood, that's for sure... danger, danger!