Cat scratch pads - Emilie likes to gnaw.

[Melt1109]

Question: there is a cat scratch pad ( the sharpish cardboard kind - rectangular not circular with ball) and Emilie loves to gnaw on its corner. She is not yet (lol) pulling pieces off. She loves it way more than anything else she is supposed to chew on. Do you think it is bad? Dangerous? Frankly I am happy she found something she likes that is not my hands, clothes, the furniture, the kitchen cabinets (seriously) or the kitchen mats.

She has a variety of toys but nothing occupies her for more than 30 seconds.

Need to stop it if you advise against.

Thanks much!
Melanie

[Jess041]

Well, right now she's not shredding it, but one day she might. I wouldn't let her continue chewing on it. From what I gather, Shelties loooove to shred paper products! So when she gets her adult teeth in, she'll really be able to shred it and then you've created a monster!

But probably not dangerous.

[Melt1109]

Well then the search continues for a teething item that she will use. Open to suggestions: she has nylabones (both kinds), puppy kong stuffed with treats, tennis ball, kong bone with tennis ball material, low stuffing and regular stuffing plush toys, rope, homemade pillowcase braid. Lol in other words half the toy store.

And yes, she has already expressed delight with paper.

Thanks,
Melanie

P. s. I too am being raised by Emilie.

[Shelby's mom]

Shelby loved to chew.....anything but her toys. When she was teething she would scrape her on the cement or the carpet. We found a teething toy (I don't remeber the name of it something like icey bone). You make it wet then freeze it. Shelby loved chewing on this. I think it made her mouth feel better.

[DPSheltie]

Riley used to shred our cat's cardboard scratch mats when he was teething. It never seemed to hurt him. He has not touched them since he was teething though. That was probably his worst habit he had as a puppy so I will take it.

[Melt1109]

Pet store trip coming up tomorrow. I will look for one to go with her frozen pillowcases. Thanks!

[Psalms]

Sammy loves to chew the kitty scratch board, too. And he has started to shred it! So we've put it in a place where only the cat can get it. He is another one that does not chew toys. He brings us toys to throw so he can retrive them, and he loves that game. But he does not chew toys.

However, he does chew his bully stick like mad...Bentley's Bully Stick. They seel it at Pet Smart. They are not cheap, but they last a long time. Right now he is tired out from playing, so he's under my chair happily chewing on his bully stick. Only thing is, they're a little stinky. If I tell you what they smell like you won't want to try it. But the scent is very volatile and dissipates very quickly. My daughter's puppy loves this, too. Really, do give it a try. They seem to be irresistible. Janet

[Melt1109]

Consider one bully stick bought today! Sammy sounds like a cutie pie who's a handful! Your input is greatly appreciated as I am learning on the fly. Thinking I was well prepared, I have learned I have tons to learn!

Thanks, Melanie

P. s. back in the olden days lol I have smelled lots of chew hooves and pig ears....pretty stinky!

[biowicks]

Olive also loves the cardboard cat scratching material; in fact, she loves cardboard of all kinds. And TP. And paper towels. And magazines, mail, labels, wrappers...if it's paper, it goes in her mouth. The only solution at we've found to be effective for her is to put all paper products where she can't get them. But, she's jumping higher and higher these days, so that's a problem, too.

I would not let your pup chew the cat scratch material. Some of it has emery powder glued to it to make it 'tougher', and you just never know about what kinds of glues are used to keep the cardboard together. If they aren't water soluble, it could be a real problem if your pup ate a bunch of it. Plus, glues can be toxic. My two cents!

[Melt1109]

They have been removed because they were the Emoryboard glued kind. She's playing a little better with her frozen pillowcase braids and other appropriate toys. See post about learned trick lol.