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- Chewing on electrical cords is extremely dangerous for cats due to the risk of burns and even electrocution. It may seem like an odd choice for a chew toy, but cats are completely unaware of the danger that electrical wires pose.
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1 day ago · There’s the potential for choking, intestinal blockage, electric shocks and burns. As a cat parent, you’ll need to find a way to prevent your cat from chewing on cords. Here are nine...
- Kathryn Copeland
- Overview
- Finding and Minimizing Cords
- Hiding Cords
- Making Cords Unappealing
- Distracting your Cat
Cats are less likely to chew cables compared to dogs, but every precaution should be taken to make sure cats are safe if they do chew. Not only does chewing and biting damage the cords, but it can result in terrible harm to your cat, such as electric shock or choking. Keep in mind, however, that this is typical for teething younger cats, and even the most devoted cord-chewers tend to grow out of it.
Unplug your appliances when you’re not using them and stash them in drawers or a cat-free room if possible.
Place furniture against your cords to prevent your cat from getting near them. Or, tape the wires to the floor or wall.
Spray your cords with vinegar, garlic, or cayenne pepper to make them unappealing to your cat.
Work out where the electrical hazards in your home are.
Every electrical item at cat level is a potential hazard, as are items the cat can reach and jump to. Be especially careful of cords from appliances, cords from computing and printing equipment, cords used temporarily for such things as Christmas tree lights, cords in places you can't reach but your cat can (for example, behind heavy items such as fridges, freezers, heaters, and televisions), and all electrical outlets.
Keep the gaps between any cord protection and the termination points as small as possible.
The most vulnerable parts of the cord are where the wire joins the plug or appliance. These sections are not easily protected by cord protection kits. Check them regularly.
If the gap between an appliance like a fridge or is wide enough for a cat to slip down or into, then you need to take precautions to guard the relevant electrical cord and outlet.
Unplug unnecessary appliances and put them away in a safe, cat-free space until needed.
Rearrange your furniture to provide protection for hanging cords or cords that tend to move.
Block the base and/or back of tables or book cases that have a gap between the floor and the bottom of the unit or the wall and the back of the unit. Remember that cats can slink into openings smaller than your fist, depending on the cat's size. Your cat can also move objects that aren't firmly fastened or are heavy. Hide as much of the cord from your cat as possible. Tidy up unnecessary corded appliances and put them away in a safe, cat-free location.
Consider using wireless technology wherever possible, confining the cords to the transmitters to protected or cat-free areas.
Put small appliances or chargers in boxes or drawers.
Spray or wipe down cords with something distasteful to the cat. There are commercial product solutions and homemade solutions. If making your own, consider using such things as hot sauce; a homemade citrus or vinegar paste; garlic, cayenne pepper, Vicks, dish soap, lime juice,or chili oil or paste. Some people use a light coating of sports ointments (the really strong menthol sort) or deodorant . Be sure to let the applied substance dry completely before re-plugging the cord into the wall and you'll need to reapply homemade fixes periodically. Avoid using anything salty because cats love licking salt.
Cover cords with something solid that deters chewing.
Commercial products include "Chewsafe™" and "CritterCord™", which are clear, flexible protective cord covers infused with a citrus-scent to keep the cat away from the cord. These are easy to add and don't require topical re-applications.
Both foil and double-sided tape can work. These can be purchased from the hardware store and are easy to wrap around the cords. With the foil tape, cats dislike the alkaline taste in their mouth and will refrain from chewing anything coated in the tape. With double-sided tape, cats hate anything sticky and won't touch it. The problem with this method is that it is sticky, and therefore tricky, and will also collect a lot of fluff for you.
Try noise or rapid action to deter your cat.
There are several things you can do if you catch your cat in the act. Yelling a loud "NO" or clapping your hands every time the cat goes near the cord is one possibility. Another is to keep a water-gun handy for squirting your cat when it gets too close to places you don't want it going. Obviously, be careful not to hit electrical or electronic equipment with the water.
Use a motion detector with noise.
If you can find a motion-detector toy that makes a noise as soon as it spots motion (for example, a frog that croaks), consider placing it strategically to go off every time the cat gets near certain vulnerable cords, such as under the computer desk. It will need to be loud and sudden enough to scare off your cat, and there is a chance that he'll just get used to it and ignore it.
Jul 27, 2024 · Fortunately for you and your cat, you can stop your cat from chewing on electrical cords with protective coverings by offering alternative items for chewing or by addressing the underlying causes. Reasons for Chewing
Vet Help. Further Reading. How To Stop Boredom Cord Chewing. Because cats are so intelligent and independent, they’re often mistakenly considered “low maintenance” pets, especially by first-time cat parents. The reality is cats have many emotional and physical needs. And if they aren’t met, you can expect boredom, frustration, and anxiety.
Jan 4, 2024 · Nowadays, most homes have an abundance of electrical cords within their pet’s reach, including chargers and TV cables. It is essential you stop your cat from chewing cords, as it can be incredibly dangerous and even life-threatening.
Feb 6, 2024 · Preventing cats from chewing on wires can be achieved by providing regular playtime and stimulating toys, taking the cat for regular check-ups, using PVC pipes to cover the wires, and using humane cat deterrents.
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Sep 13, 2024 · The 10 Ways to Stop Your Cat From Chewing on Electric Cords 1. Put Cords in PVC/Rubber. If you can’t get your cat to stop chewing on the wires, make it so they can’t reach them.
