The "Cute" Behavior That Can Turn Serious For Your Cat!

Today, we are talking about tail chewing.

Yes, it looks cute.

Yes, sometimes it doesn’t cause an issue.

But… sometimes it does, and when it does, it can be serious.

Over the years of working closely with pet parents, I have heard so many stories of cats having to have part of their tail amputated because of how severely they have damaged it from chewing or obsessively licking it.

If your cat regularly sucks, excessively licks, or chews their tail, it can become bloody and raw as the skin gets damaged. In extreme cases, you could end up with nerve damage which is dangerous and your kitty can end up needing to have part of their tail amputated. 

There are a number of things you can try when you first notice your kitty chewing on their tail to help prevent it progressing to the point of amputation.

Observation and Action 

If you notice your cat chewing on its tail, it's crucial to discourage this behavior immediately, even if it seems harmless at first.

Use a Deterrent

Applying a bitter apple spray, which is safe for pets can help deter your cat from chewing its tail.

Addressing Anxiety and Stress

Obsessive tail licking and chewing may stem from anxiety or stress, so using natural remedies, like this nerve relax or rescue remedy to reduce your cat’s stress is a good idea. 

Physical Barriers

Using soft collars to prevent access to the tail can give it time to heal between chewing sessions.

Veterinary Intervention

In some cases, if you are not seeing significant success with behavioral and natural interventions, conventional anti-anxiety medication prescribed by a veterinarian may be necessary.

There are a number of things you can do to prevent tail chewing behavior, so please be proactive to keep your kitty safe.

Keep giving your pets the best of natural life!

~PetCoachApril 

April Arguin A.S., C.P.N., M.P.H

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