Why Does My Maine Coon Chew Everything? (Pica, Wires, and Safety)#

I walked into my living room last Tuesday to find Atticus looking incredibly guilty. Beside him was my laptop charger, severed clean in half. He wasn’t hungry. He wasn’t angry. He just… chewed it.

If you own a Maine Coon, you might have noticed that they are more “mouthy” than the average cat. They chew cardboard boxes into confetti. They gnaw on plastic bags. Some of them, like my Penelope, have an obsessive need to suck on wool blankets.

While some chewing is normal behavior for a bored intelligent predator, there is a darker side called Pica—a compulsive desire to eat non-food items.

This behavior is dangerous. A chewed wire can cause electrocution. A swallowed piece of plastic can cause a fatal intestinal blockage. Today, we are going to diagnose why your gentle giant has turned into a goat, and how to stop them before they hurt themselves.

The “Why”: Boredom vs. Pica vs. Teething#

Before you panic, you need to diagnose the root cause. Not all chewing is created equal.

1. Teething (Kittens 3-7 Months) If your Maine Coon is under 8 months old, they are likely teething. Just like human babies, their gums itch and hurt as adult teeth push through. They chew to relieve the pressure. This is temporary, but you must redirect it onto appropriate toys immediately, or it will become a lifelong habit.

2. Boredom ( The “Smart Cat” Problem) Maine Coons are highly intelligent. If you don’t give them a job, they will find one. Often, that job is “disassembling your home.” Chewing provides sensory feedback. It feels good. It makes a noise. If your cat destroys cardboard or shreds paper but spits it out, it is likely boredom.

3. Pica (The Dangerous Obsession) Pica is different. Pica is when the cat chews and swallows non-food items. Common triggers include plastic bags, wool, shoelaces, and rubber bands. This can be behavioral (stress-related) or medical (nutritional deficiency or anemia). If your cat is actually eating the objects, this is a medical emergency waiting to happen.

The Wire Obsession: A Deadly Habit#

Why wires? To a cat, a wire looks like a snake. It’s long, thin, and has a “rubbery” texture that feels satisfying to bite into.

If your Maine Coon is a wire chewer, you cannot train them out of it with a spray bottle. You must physically prevent access.

Amelia’s Rule: “If you can’t see the cat, the cat shouldn’t see the wire.”

Immediate Solutions:

• Cord Protectors: Buy “Critter Cord” or split-loom tubing from a hardware store. Cover every exposed wire. The plastic tubing is too thick and tasteless for them to enjoy chewing.
• Bitter Apple Spray: This is hit or miss. Some cats hate the taste; others (weirdly) like it. Apply it generously to cords, but reapply it every 24 hours or it loses potency.
• Unplug: If you aren’t using the lamp, unplug it. A chewed wire is annoying; a chewed live wire is a tragedy.

“Wool Sucking”: The Maine Coon Quirk#

You might notice your Maine Coon kneading a soft blanket, purring loudly, and sucking on the fabric. This is extremely common in the breed.

It is often a self-soothing behavior, similar to a child sucking their thumb. It usually stems from being weaned too early from their mother, but sometimes it is just genetic.

Is it harmful? Generally, no—unless they are ingesting the fibers. If you notice holes appearing in your blankets, you have a problem. Ingested synthetic fibers can bunch up in the stomach and create a “bezoar” (a hard ball of material) that requires surgery to remove.

If your cat is a fabric eater, you must remove all temptation. Keep laundry in closed hampers. Store blankets in closets. Do not leave socks on the floor.

Medical Causes: When to See a Vet#

If your adult Maine Coon suddenly starts chewing strange things (like eating kitty litter or licking concrete), go to the vet.

• Anemia: Cats with low red blood cells often try to eat litter or dirt (a behavior called geophagia) to get iron.
• Dental Pain: A cat with a rotten tooth might chew on hard plastic to try and “numb” the pain in their mouth.
• Hyperthyroidism: This causes a voracious appetite where the cat will eat anything in sight.

A simple blood panel can rule these out. Never assume it is “just behavioral” if it starts suddenly.

Enrichment: The Cure for Boredom#

If medical causes are ruled out, your Maine Coon is likely just incredibly bored. A 20lb predator living in a quiet apartment is a recipe for destruction. You need to give their mouth something else to do.

1. Silvervine Sticks: Better than catnip. These are natural wood sticks that are safe to chew. They help clean teeth and satisfy the gnawing instinct.

2. Raw Bones (The Natural Toothbrush): Give your cat a raw (NEVER cooked) chicken wing tip or neck. The bone and cartilage are safe for them to crunch through. It naturally cleans their teeth and provides high-value mental stimulation. Note: Supervise this closely.

3. Food Puzzles: Stop feeding them in a bowl. Make them work for it. Use a rolling treat ball or a puzzle board. If they have to use their brain and paws to get food, they will have less energy to dismantle your phone charger.

Conclusion#

Living with a Maine Coon is like living with a toddler who can reach the top shelf. They explore the world with their mouths. While it can be frustrating to replace your fourth iPhone cable this year, remember that this behavior is communication.

They are telling you they are bored, in pain, or anxious. Listen to them. Cat-proof your home, upgrade their toy rotation, and rule out health issues. Your cables (and your cat) will thank you.

Resources & Further Reading#

• Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. (2019). [cite_start]Pica in cats: An epidemiological assessment. [cite: 1]
• Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. (2023). Destructive Behavior in Cats.
• International Cat Care. (2022). Fabric sucking and chewing in cats.