Affinity For Chewing Electrical Cords

[AvaJoy]

I wonder if anyone has had a cat that chewed electrical wiring . . . Ugh! I use the past tense "HAD a cat" because I would think that habit would lead to electrocution but so far my "kitten" (almost a year old now, give or take a few months) Chaz has survived chewing my cell phone charger wire that was plugged in, and my AC adapter to my postal scale (which was not plugged in). He seems to like the narrow cords and I have also found a few teeth marks on a few other cords, but not chewed through.

If anyone has had to deal with this behavorial problem, I would appreciate knowing what product you may have treated the cords with that deterred your cat from this dangerous and destructive habit. I did treat some cords with "No Scratch" but am curious if anyone has any firsthand experience and can recommend something that was successful. I should also seek advice from rabbit guardians because I know rabbits are very fond of this, but the product to repel a rabbit may not be effective in discouraging a cat. Well, thanks for any advice you can offer!

[Karen]

We covered the few electrical wire that we couldn't hide completely with cheap plastic tubing - you can get a roll of it at Home Depot for not much money. Miss Hoppy, at least, doesn't even try to chew that - it's one inch in diameter, so is pretty big, but better than an electrocuted kitten or bunny!

[Uabassoon]

Alexa had this problem with her two cats. She bought some bitter apple spray and sprayed it on the cords. That seemed to solve the problem.

This is the prouduct that she used.

[BigCharles]

I hope that you get Chaz to stop this. They do it for several reasons:

(1) The taste. Plastic is made from oil which is a vegetable product to begin with. **

(2) Cats chew on long grass and thin twigs outside. Some cats love chewing (on almost anything). My boy cat love playing with string. Not for chasing the string but chewing on it.

(3) Boredom.

For (1) you can use the covers and sprays. Some people use hot sause. Numbers (2) and (3) are behavioral. The cord covers will help here.

The tubing is plastic and may taste the same as the cords. They will delay the cat getting to the actual cord.

** I know my science. Oil is actually decayed vegetable matter that has been in the ground for lots of years.

[heidiv]

I have a 6 yr old female cat that does this and she is getting quite destructive. I have had 2 alarm clocks and a Kirby Vaccum cleaner toasted by the cords being crossed. It blew up the vaccum motor. My husband was so upset. Thank goodness she had me on her side. He was not a happy camper. But I can very much relate to what you are saying. Its an expensive little habit.The sour apple stuff doesn't work I think she likes it. We have come to the fact that just cleaning up the wires works best but if there is something out there that really works that would be great.

[AvaJoy]

Heidiv, the kitty in your signature looks so Snowshoe adorable! Is that the six year old who is the electricity addict?? Looks like a kitten in photo, and sooo precious!

I was going to try the bitter apple stuff but after reading your post I am not sure . . . hot sauce sounds like it might really do the trick . . . thanks for all the suggestions, everyone!

My husband put electical tape over the bite marks on the cords and I have had to replace my cell phone charger and scale wires . . . no taping that damage. Chaz is not permitted unsupervised in the computer room where these wires are. He seems to leave the thicker cords alone in the rest of the house, and prefers the fine ones and I noticed a few bite marks in my telephone wires, too . . . exception being my clock/radio in bedroom which has a normal thicker cord and I cannot shut that door during the day because my other cats like to snooze on the bed. Hopefully, he will grow up soon and discontinue this fascination.

[Uabassoon]

I was going to try the bitter apple stuff but after reading your post I am not sure . . . hot sauce sounds like it might really do the trick . . .

You might have to try out a few different things. Different cats have different tastes. Bitter Apple worked with Pocky and Tuna. So if the Tabasco sauce doesn't work it might be worth a try. The stuff is fairly inexpensive I think we spent $5 on the bottle.

[AvaJoy]

Thanks, Uabassoon . . . I will see if my local Petsmart has it this week on my lunch hour.

[heidiv]

No that is my new baby that I just brought into my cat family she has such a neat personality the pictures don't do her justice. The lady that was a so called breeder that had her and her sister for whom we rescued (we, being myself and my parents) said that she is a siamese/ragdoll cross. I saw her mother which was an applehead seal point siamese was there but no father so she could be anything. I thought that she looked alot like a snowshoe also. I love her freakles!! Shes my girl. The electricity addict is my humane society kitty she is a dark calico. I need to get pictures of her and Tucker on my signature. Thanks taking a liking to my sweet Chloe. Everyone thinks she gorgous it just might be going to her head???

[moosmom]

Covering the cords with aluminum foil works pretty well too.

[skneisel74]

There is a product out there called PET NO this is used to detour animals from doing things that you do not want them to do.
you can also try double sided sticky tape cats hate that!!!!!
Good luck