stupid cat keeps chewing her own tail, tips to stop her?

[Red Squirrel]

I don't know what's with that bad habbit, but she'll randomly start chewing the end of her tail right off. The fur is a different color, I don't know if it's from blood, it's more like a brownish though. There is nothing at the end, no tumor or anything like that. She just bites it because she thinks it's a toy or something. :awe:

I don't think it's very good for her to be doing that, so what is the best way of stopping her? I'm thinking if I buy a can of compressed air, they have bitterant in them, is that stuff safe? I could just spray it upside down on my finger then rub it on her tail. Another thing I thought of is just dip her tail in hot sauce. :awe: She will stop lol. Are any of these options safe though, or is there any better ways? A cone or anything like that is way overkill. I just need to make her not like it, and she'll eventually give up the habit hopefully. Come to think of it, what about that stuff you put on kids' nails to make them stop biting their nails? This may be the best solution now that I think of it. What is that stuff called?

 

[eldorado99]

Yes, definitely try spraying compressed air upside down on your finger, then post the pics of your finger. Don't spray it at your cat though.

 

[Eli]

Yes, definitely try spraying compressed air upside down on your finger, then post the pics of your finger. Don't spray it at your cat though.

LOLOLOLOL

caps

 

[herm0016]

you can get spray for that from the vets. May want to have her tail examined, could be something to it.

 

[Newbian]

My cat used to do it a lot more when she was a kitten but now she will only do it if you hold it and hit her face with it for a bit.

Does she actually chew on it to the point of it hurting her or does she just do it when playing?

 

[CurseTheSky]

The discoloration of the fur is probably from their saliva bleaching it. I'm guessing the cat's tail is black.

We had a cat that had an obsession with licking itself. It would wash itself (mostly it's sides, back, and the top of its hindquarters) over and over, to the point where its fur actually turned several shades lighter. The cat was otherwise healthy.

 

[dank69]

I had a cat that licked itself obsessively, to the point that its hair started getting thin and patchy. Turns out it was allergic to its food. Hypoallergenic food cleared it right up.

 

[Azraele]

Take the cat to the vet to rule out a medical reason such as fleas, skin infection, or allergy. While there, ask the vet the best method to keep her from chewing at it.

 

[Red Squirrel]

My cat used to do it a lot more when she was a kitten but now she will only do it if you hold it and hit her face with it for a bit.

Does she actually chew on it to the point of it hurting her or does she just do it when playing?

No, I never see her suddenly stop, or have any reaction. It seems she's just chewing the fur, and not the flesh. And yeah the tail is black.

I already talked to the vet about it and she said it's normal but that if it starts bleeding or she gets really deep then to bring her in. It has not gotten to that point. She sees the tail move, then attacks it lol.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Yes, definitely try spraying compressed air upside down on your finger, then post the pics of your finger. Don't spray it at your cat though.

Not really that bad, if you wear gloves.

 

[Newbian]

No, I never see her suddenly stop, or have any reaction. It seems she's just chewing the fur, and not the flesh. And yeah the tail is black.

I already talked to the vet about it and she said it's normal but that if it starts bleeding or she gets really deep then to bring her in. It has not gotten to that point. She sees the tail move, then attacks it lol.

Ok, then you should be fine as she is playing with herself like my kitten used to do with her tail.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

One of our three cats will make a game out of trying to pounce on her own tail. It's funny to watch.

None of them seem smart enough to remember their tails (or hind legs) are actually theirs. When they get excited and start roling around on the floor, all of them will inevitably chomp down on their tails or hind legs. But they don't chew for extended periods of time - no blood or anything.

I would guess fleas or a rash or something.

 

[LookBehindYou]

Stick her tail in her (or yours) butt, tape it there. She won't be able to chew the end anymore.

 

[shortylickens]

Recommend the same shit parents put on their childrens nails.

 

[Jeeebus]

why not just chop the tail off? probably the only guaranteed way to get her to stop chewing it... unless you then give it to her as a chew toy... which would be kinda stupid.

 

[brblx]

pet store has bittering agents meant for gardens other outdoor stuff. 'bitter apples' seemed to work for us at some point. doesn't hurt the animal.

or just put a cone on it so we can laugh.

 

[dabuddha]

Hot sauce on the tail oughta clear that right up!

 

[alkemyst]

My cat has licked his whole tummy to like a buzz cut. Skin is fine. The vet says it's just a habit...until there is any skin trauma any treatment is just cosmetic and may cause other issues/duress on the animal.

 

[brblx]

My cat has licked his whole tummy to like a buzz cut. Skin is fine. The vet says it's just a habit...until there is any skin trauma any treatment is just cosmetic and may cause other issues/duress on the animal.

you're telling him to just go ahead and shave his pussy, aren't you?

 

[torpid]

Could be a medical condition. My cats will chase their tail and then lick it when they finally catch it, but won't chew it or lick incessantly.

 

[Lash444]

Its mine, and I will clean it as fast as I want to.

 

[Texashiker]

why not just chop the tail off?

You beat me to it.

 

[Mr. Lennon]

Spray bitter apple on tail. Done.

 

[CaptnKirk]

It's a nursing reflex - it may have been sepatated from the mother too early.
Some cats, especially Siamese need to stay with the mother
until 12 - 16 weeks or this happens.

Does it look like the eyes get 'glassy' when it's doing that?
If it looks goofy - it's because it is.

 

[lord_emperor]

Something is making it itch, my cat did this and ended up needing some cream or something because she had a rash.

Or...

She sees the tail move, then attacks it lol.

It's just being a stupid kitten and you have some gold for posting on LOLCats.