Advice please -.-

[MattMadrid]

My 6 month old F6 refuses to stop chewing on willow branches, and we can't figure out why? Is this BAD for her? Is it something akin to dogs eating grass and there's a reason behind it so I shouldn't stop her? Anything helps, thanks so much.

 

[WitchyWoman]

The salicyclic acid in the branches could lead to toxicity. How does she access the willow branches? Seems the best approach would be to prevent her having access. And give her something else to chew, either a suitable cat toy or raw bone-in chicken thighs or wings or some type of chunked raw meat or just a raw meaty bone. Consider a vet checkup including teeth if there are other signs indicating something may be physically wrong. Wouldn't hurt for you to take a look at her teeth to see if there's a problem.

 

[MattMadrid]

The salicyclic acid in the branches could lead to toxicity. How does she access the willow branches? Seems the best approach would be to prevent her having access. And give her something else to chew, either a suitable cat toy or raw bone-in chicken thighs or wings or some type of chunked raw meat or just a raw meaty bone. Consider a vet checkup including teeth if there are other signs indicating something may be physically wrong. Wouldn't hurt for you to take a look at her teeth to see if there's a problem.

I'm making besoms for my girlfriend and me for a Samhain ritual and we're using willow branches as the bristles so there's willow all over the place right now x.x Are there any raw meats to stay away from or are they all ok?

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

Is there any way to keep the willow shut out of kitties way when you aren't working on the besoms?

http://www.hyendry.com/hyendry cat toys.html have a 'silvervine cat chew stick" that might work well for your kitty though? Was thinking that might be similar enough to satisfy the chew need and be cat safe?

But as Witchy says, giving raw meat or meaty bones gives kitty something to chew on that might satisfy her urges also

 

[WitchyWoman]

I'm making besoms for my girlfriend and me

Impressive. I bought mine online. Any fresh meat will be fine.

 

[MattMadrid]

Impressive. I bought mine online. Any fresh meat will be fine.

So pork is ok?

 

[WitchyWoman]

Pork is ok.

 

[SV Dad]

The willow bark is a source of salicylic acid. The kitten may be absorbing some of this while chewing. Cats have a very poor metabolism of salicylic acid. For the sake of the kitten I would remove all of the willow branches and ensure no more chewing on willow branches. It is not worth the risk! This is coming from a pharmacist. This is a potential source of toxin to your kitten.