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Many cats will chew cardboard from time to time, and usually it’s nothing to worry about. Kittens will do it when they’re teething. Adult cats might do it out of boredom, curiosity, play, or scent-marking. The key thing to look out for is whether they’re swallowing it, as this can be dangerous and indicate a behavioral or medical problem.
The joy of owning cats.
Just when you think you’ve got a handle on their eating habits, they’ll start chewing on something random like cardboard.
Can Cats Chew on Cardboard?
Last year, we were decorating our spare room and realised our cat was chewing the old paper we were peeling off the wall. We only realised she’d swallowed several small pieces when she regurgitated some back up. It was a good reminder of how even things that seem harmless have the potential to become dangerous. After that, we shut the door to keep her out when we were decorating and made sure to vaccum everything up when we were done.
So while you may have cardboard boxes or scratching posts in the house, it’s worth monitoring what your cat is doing so that you can be sure they’re not ingesting anything they shouldn’t.
| 🐈⬛ Most cats chewing cardboard is normal. 🐈⬛ Kittens often chew while teething. 🐈⬛ Swallowing cardboard isn’t safe. 🐈⬛ See your vet if your cat regularly eats cardboard or other non-food items. |
Why Do Cats Chew on Cardboard?
🐈⬛ Curiosity
Cats are interested in their environment, and anything new coming into your home will be vetted by their noses, paws, and mouths. New deliveries smell different. Boxes will have different scents and textures, and sometimes cats just want to get a handle on what this strange object is doing in their territory.
🐈⬛ Playing and Texture
Your cat may just be playing. Ripping and biting are natural hunting behaviors, and cardboard has a satisfying ‘bite’ and is rigid but often easy enough to tear. Corrugated cardboard will have a satisfying bite and, at the back of the mouth, will push against their teeth. The sound and feel likely feels pleasurable to a cat.
This could also be a sign of boredom, so buying toys that indulge the predator side of their behaviour may be safer and more enriching for them than relying on boxes.
🐈⬛ They’re Marking Territory
Cats may also be chewing cardboard to mark their territory. Chewing is another way to add their scent to something, and cats have scent glands around their cheeks and mouths and will rub their faces to leave pheromones behind, so it helps them investigate and mark unfamiliar items.
Our cat loves inspecting the parcels that come into our house, so it makes sense that some cats are also chewing to designate each item as safe.
If you’ve recently moved house with cats, you may have an abundance of boxes and your cats might be eager to mark their territory in their new environment. But be careful letting cats play with delivery boxes. There might be adhesives or labels on the cardboard that could be harmful if ingested.
🐈⬛ Dental Discomfort
Older cats may also chew cardboard to relieve discomfort in their mouths. Cats are prone to teeth and gum issues, so it’s worth looking out for signs of gingivitis, broken teeth or inflammation in the mouth.
A few years ago, our cat had a loose fang and would put her paw in her mouth as if something was stuck on the roof of her mouth. We couldn’t work out why she was doing it until days later, when we noticed her fang was missing. Since then, we’ve switched her to a higher-quality cat food without sugars, and for several years after, we used a tooth-cleaning powder on her food, which definitely helped give her fresher breath! Our cat was a malnourished stray when we got her, so her dental issues were due to her poor start in life, but it’s worth protecting your cat’s teeth, especially as they age.
If your cat is suddenly chewing on things after never showing interest before, ask your vet to check their teeth.
🐈⬛ Stress
Cats will often chew, bite and groom when they’re feeling anxious or unsettled. It may be worth considering any recent changes that may leave your cat feeling a little stressed. If you’re looking for products to help keep your cat calm, we recently wrote a post about over-the-counter cat calming products.
🐈⬛ Pica
There could be a medical reason. While rare in cats, there is an eating disorder called pica, which could cause a compulsion to chew cardboard. Stress and boredom can cause it, but there can also be underlying physical conditions like hyperthyroidism. Nutritional deficiencies can sometimes cause Pica.
Pica causes cats to eat things that aren’t food: wallpaper, carpet, plastic, stones, etc. You should talk to your vet if you think your cat has it, as swallowing non-food items, especially if it’s happening regularly, can cause digestive obstructions that can be fatal. It can also cause choking incidents.
Is Chewing Cardboard Dangerous?
❓Chewing
Usually okay, but be mindful of adhesives or labels.
❓ Swallowing
Potentially dangerous as it can lead to choking, intensital blockages, vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite, and lethargy.
Cardboard doesn’t digest well and large pieces can sit in the stomach or cause an intestinal blockage which would require emergency surgery.
❓ When Should You Worry?
If your cat is eating cardboard regularly, then it’s worth chatting to a veterinarian, especially if your cat is vomiting afterwards, refusing food and generally acting unwell. If they’re trying to eat other non-food items too, then book an appointment. Pica, in particular, can lead cats to eat things which cause stomach blockages, which, if left untreated, can cause serious illness and even death.
Even eating things that seem innocent: bits of wool or yarn can cause intestinal damage.
🐈⬛ What if My Cat Only Chews Boxes But Doesn’t Eat Them?
This isn’t usually a concern. Cats do tend to enjoy shredding things. Again, it only really becomes a problem if the cat swallows the cardboard. But talk to your vet if you have any concerns about your cat’s behavior.
🐈⬛ How to Stop Your Cat Chewing Cardboard
✅ Put delivery boxes and packaging away once you’ve opened them
✅ Give kittens suitable teething toys
✅ Increase interactive play sessions
✅ Rotate the toys on offer every few days
✅ Offer puzzle feeders or interactive toys to redirect the need to chew
✅ Book a dental appointment if the behaviour is new or you’re worried
🐈⬛ Cat Toys to Help Reduce Cardboard Chewing
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you click one of the links below and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps support the site and allows me to continue creating free content. I only recommend products that I think are genuinely helpful or that I’d be happy to use with my own cat.
Silvervine Sticks for Cats
Best for: Cats and kittens that enjoy chewing, need extra enrichment, or have a habit of chewing cardboard, furniture or household items.
Silvervine is a natural plant native to parts of Asia and is closely related to catnip. The sticks are dried branches, and as cats chew the bark, it releases compounds that encourage cats to lick, chew, rub against and play with the stick.
For cats that enjoy chewing cardboard, silvervine sticks provide a much safer outlet for that behaviour.
Features:
- Made from natural silvervine wood.
- Suitable for most adult cats and older kittens.
- Encourages chewing and interactive play.
- Helps satisfy natural chewing instincts.
- Can provide mental enrichment for indoor cats.
- Long-lasting compared with many cat treats.
🌟 Check the current price on Amazon.com (US customers)
🌟 Check the current price on Amazon.co.uk (UK customers)
Catstages Dental Pineapple Teether
Best for: Kittens between 3 and 6 months old that are teething or biting cardboard, furniture, or fingers.
This is a soft chew toy designed specifically for kittens that are going through the teething stage. Unlike many plush toys, it’s made from textured materials that encourage kittens to chew, helping to satisfy their natural urge to bite while their adult teeth come through.
Features:
- Designed specifically for kittens
- Multiple textures designed to encourage chewing
- Lightweight and easy for small kittens to carry
- Soft enough for developing teeth
- Bright colors make it easy to spot during play
- Encourages independent play
🌟 Check the current price on Amazon.com (US customers)
🌟 Check the current price on Amazon.co.uk (UK customers)
Nina Ottosson Melon Madness Puzzle Feeder
Best for: Bored indoor cats, food-motivated cats, and cats that chew cardboard out of boredom or frustration.
This interactive puzzle feeder encourages your cat to use its natural hunting instincts to find treats or kibble hidden inside the toy. Many cats chew cardboard because they’re understimulated rather than hungry. Puzzle feeders provide mental exercise.
Bear in mind, though, that this isn’t a chew toy. It’s designed for supervised enrichment sessions rather than constant use. Toys like this can sometimes mean encouraging your cat to try it on the first few goes. You might need to demonstrate how it works to them.
🌟 Check the current price on Amazon.com (US customers)
🌟 Check the current price on Amazon.co.uk (UK customers)
Cardboard Cat House & Scratcher
Best for: Cats that love cardboard boxes but don’t swallow the pieces.
Some cats love cardboard. This style of cat house combines a hiding spot with replaceable corrugated cardboard scratching pads, encouraging scratching, stretching, and play (while protecting your furniture).
🌟 Check the current price on Amazon.com (US customers)
🌟 Check the current price on Amazon.co.uk (UK customers)
Most cats chew cardboard at some point, and in many cases it’s nothing to be too concerned about. As long as your cat isn’t swallowing it and otherwise seems healthy, there’s usually no cause for worry.
If the behaviour becomes frequent, your cat starts eating other non-food items, or you notice vomiting, weight loss or changes in appetite, it’s worth arranging a veterinary check-up.
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