Cats bite electrical wires more rarely than dogs; however, you should take some precautions to prevent your furry friend from being harmed if he has this "bad habit". This behavior not only breaks and damages the electric wires, but also puts the cat's life in serious danger, which could suffocate or be electrocuted. However, remember that this habit is typical of teething puppies and that even the most avid "cable chewers" stop doing it as they grow up.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Reduce the Amount of Electrical Cables
Step 1. Identify where there is a risk of electrocution in your home
Any electric object at cat height is a potential problem, remember that the cat can reach these devices with a leap. Pay particular attention to the cables of appliances, computers, printers, those used for temporary decorations, such as Christmas tree lights, wires that are in places that you cannot reach, but the cat can (behind heavy objects such as refrigerator, freezer, television or water heater) and all electrical outlets.
Step 2. Make sure that the exposed part of the cables, including the part between the plug and the protective jacket, is as small as possible
This is the most vulnerable point of most cables, where the wiring plugs into the socket or appliance. Unfortunately, it is not easy to protect these areas with the appropriate sheaths and coatings. For all these reasons, you need to check them regularly.
If the space behind an appliance (such as a refrigerator) is large enough for the cat to pass through, you need to take preventative measures to protect the cord and electrical outlet
Step 3. Unplug unnecessary devices from the home and store them in a safe place out of reach of the cat until you need to use them
There is no good reason to leave unused appliances to gather dust and take up space, when they can be neatly stored in places that protect them from dirt and fangs from your feline friend.
Method 2 of 4: Hide the Cables
Step 1. Move furniture to provide protection for dangling cables and those that tend to move
It blocks the base and the back of the tables or bookcases that leave a free space between the floor, the lower part of the cabinet and the wall. Remember that cats are able to sneak through smaller openings than your fist, depending on their size. In addition, they can move objects that are very heavy or that are not well secured. Tidy up unnecessary appliances and store them in a closed place that the cat cannot reach.
Consider using wireless technology whenever possible, placing the cables of the transmitting devices in safe places, out of reach of the cat
Step 2. Put small appliances or chargers in boxes or drawers
If you can create a "charging zone" in a drawer, the cat will not be able to reach these thin and particularly attractive cables. Also, if you put items with electrical wires in a box with a hole in the back, you mask their true function and the cat is less likely to jump on them.
Step 3. Secure each dangling cable with tape
Movement and rocking are irresistible stimuli for most domestic cats; if you block the cables to the table leg or the wall, they will blend in with the background and will no longer be so attractive. You can also purchase special Velcro products or clips to keep electrical cables flat on another surface.
Step 4. Purchase cable glands
They are available in many sizes and colors at hardware and office supply stores. Some can be attached to walls or furniture, while others just hold all electrical wires together. Regardless of the model you choose, know that these are plastic protectors that the cat cannot tear with his teeth.
Method 3 of 4: Making the Cables Unpleasant
Step 1. Make the threads taste bad
Spray or scrub them with a substance that is disgusting to the cat. There are special commercial solutions or you can prepare some homemade mixes. If you have decided on this second option, you can use a hot sauce, lavender oil, a vinegar and citrus paste, garlic, cayenne pepper, dish soap, balsamic ointments, lime juice., oil or chilli paste. Some people use sports ointments (those with a strong menthol smell) or deodorant. Make sure the substance is completely dry before plugging the cord back into the electrical outlet; Also, remember to regularly provide new applications. Avoid using any saline substances, as cats love to lick salt.
Step 2. Cover the cables with something solid to prevent the cat from biting them
On the market you can find flexible sheaths, in transparent plastic, scented with citrus fruits and that keep cats away. They are simple to use and you will not have to continuously apply substances.
Step 3. Camouflage the electrical wires with masking tape
You can use both metal and double-sided adhesive, both of which are available at home improvement stores and home improvement centers. You shouldn't have any difficulty wrapping them around cables. If you opt for metallic duct tape, be aware that its alkaline taste is particularly unwelcome to domestic felines, who will avoid biting on anything covered with such material. Double-sided tape is a deterrent, as cats avoid touching anything that is viscous. The biggest problem with this second solution is that the double-sided tape is sticky, complicated to handle and accumulates a lot of dust.
Method 4 of 4: Distract the Cat
Step 1. Make a noise or make a sudden gesture to prevent the cat from biting the cables
There are several things you can do when you catch your furry friend "red-handed". Yell "No!" loudly or clap your hands every time you get close to an electric wire. You can also keep a water gun handy and spray the cat when it tries to go where it shouldn't. Of course, be careful not to get electrical devices and sockets wet.
Step 2. Use a motion sensor noise source
If you can get hold of a motion sensor toy that makes a loud noise (like a croaking frog), you can strategically place it to scare your cat whenever he approaches exposed cables, such as under the desk. It must be a loud and sudden enough sound; however, there is a high chance that the cat will get used to it over time and learn to ignore the toy.
Step 3. Find distractions for the cat
The cat bites the cables when it is bored, is practicing hunting or needs to play. Find some other items in the house to keep him busy; you can use a carpet cutout, a cardboard box that can destroy, or a rubber toy that can chew.
Step 4. Try cat grass
Buy or grow some grass for your kitty by sowing catnip, oats, or wheat. Many felines feel the need to chew grass and, in the absence of anything else, turn their attention to the closest objects, such as wires and cables. You can buy this type of weed at pet stores and online, or buy oat and wheat seeds to grow in a pot with soil. You can also take a sod from the garden as long as the lawn has not been treated with pesticides or herbicides. Choose a root ball with pure grass, without weeds. Transfer it to a pot to place on the floor of the house and let the cat chew the weed. Repeat this process as often as necessary.
Step 5. Offer your pet lots of fun toys
When chews chew cables, they're really just looking for something to play with. The little electric cables move beautifully across the floor when the cat hits them with its furry paws. So try to distract him with a few different toys, but choose something that doesn't encourage his propensity to chew on cables (e.g. avoid toys that resemble electric wires, which come with cords or twine).
Step 6. When moving objects with electric cables, keep the cat at a distance
In some cases it is impossible to avoid moving the electric wires; therefore it is better to keep the pet locked in another room while using these appliances, rather than risk the cat biting the cables and both of you will be electrocuted. In addition, there is always a danger that heavy devices will fall on the animal when they are pulled by the cable.
Advice
- If you decide to coat the cables with a non-toxic substance whose smell or taste is unpleasant to the cat, remember to protect the furniture, walls, floor and carpet, making sure that the substance is effective even when it is dry and does not stain the other surfaces.
- Take your cat to the vet to make sure he doesn't have any dental problems that cause him to chew on cables.
- Wrap the cord and put it in a small zip lock bag. Then, use an inverted can of compressed air to "wet" the cable with the liquid it contains. Most of these products contain a bitter ingredient, which gives a terrible taste, to prevent children from inhaling the gas voluntarily. Let the cat "taste" the cable and you will see that it will be the last time it does.
- A simple and very inexpensive alternative to all the methods described so far is to buy a conduit tube. These are spiral structures that are wrapped around electrical wires to keep them tidy, but at the same time protect them from cat fangs. Problem solved!
- The soda straw is an inexpensive alternative tool. Place one in each room to give your cat something to nibble on and play with.
Warnings
- If your cat ingests small pieces of cord, take them to the vet right away, as these pieces could get stuck in the intestines and cause a lot of problems.
- Regularly check the condition of the electrical cables. Cats are small, cunning and stubborn animals. They could cause damage to the wires even without breaking them completely; remember that a damaged cable could start a fire. Replace or repair broken threads immediately.
- In addition to cables and harnesses, keep all strings, strings, and rubber bands out of reach of the cat; these items not only encourage him not to lose the habit of chewing on cables, but could cause fatal accidents if your furry friend swallows them. The threads can become tangled in her intestines and cause serious health problems. If you suspect your cat has ingested something similar, take him to the vet right away to be safe.
- Do not scold the adult cat or the puppy and do not scream. The only result you would get would be an aggressive or antisocial animal.
