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Pets That Destroy

Pets That DestroyIt's very normal for dogs and cats (especially young ones) to be a little destructive. But there is a difference between destructive 'play' and destructive 'behavior'. There are ways to divert their attentions, while understanding their need to chew.

There are two methods of thinking when it comes to 'chew toys' for your pet. Some vets believe that offering your pet plenty of chewing toys or a 'scratching post' will keep them occupied and away from your furniture and possessions. And still others find that by offering too many different toys, the pet loses the distinction between toy and the real thing by having too many options. That's a decision that you as the owner will have to make. One thing that all experts agree on, is to NOT give your pet a personal item of yours to chew on, or they'll really be confused.

For your destructive cat, it is recommended that you routinely clip their nails every six weeks. And never use sofa or rug fabrics on their scratching posts, as this will confuse them. Try and get a post with surfaces that mimic the outdoors, such as wood, sisal, or burlap. Also, placing a little catnip along the scratching post will provide an additional attraction for your cat.

The easiest way to avoid having your pet destroy something is to not make it available. Even the most well-behaved dog or cat can occasionally forget.

If you find you must punish for destructive behavior, it must be done immediately or not at all, as the attention span of your pet is quite short.


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