my cat chews cords and wires!!!

ok...when i adopted my baby from the SPCA, she came with some issues...in the file, it said that she chewed cords. I didn't think much of it until two days later we found that my boyfriend's soundsystem cords were chewed to bits and unsalvagable.

After that, we quickly tried everything to get her to stop this annoying little habit (especially in this day and age). We tried covering the cords in tinfoil, but then she just likes the sound that it makes when she chews it. Tabasco sauce? she sneezes, then continues. So then, we went out and bought 100m of plastic tubing that was meant for pipes and wrapped it around every cord in the house with electrical tape. We have still had the minor issue every now and then (she actually got my laptop charger cable in the one centimetre that was exposed), but we have a soldering iron and electrical tape, along with this plastic tubing to get her to stop.

Well, i should say, TRY to get her to stop. She still chews on the plastic cord, even though she's really not doing any damage, she just likes it i think. I need something else for her to sink her teeth into, so to speak. Help!

OMIGOSH. That could be dangerous for her!!! which is the most important thing -- HER safety. Suggest you visit http://www.DrsFosterSmith.com and/or http://www.catniptoys.com or http://www.catclaws.com for good choices on dental toys. Petco has some, too, and I'm sure PetsMart and other "pet" supply stores also do. The "fish teethers" are good, as are the "dental chews" with catnip stalk as one of the ingredients -- CatClaws have both. GOOD LUCK!!!

ahhh!! wonderful!! thanks so much!!

oh yes, it's a miracle that she hasn't electrocuted herself by now. I mean, it's been about a year and 4 months since we've had her and she's chewed through nearly every cord in this house...WHILE it was plugged in!! even my computer cord, twice! i mean, there is some high voltage going through there!

i just hope that she doesn't chew through another cord and electrocute herself, so this is why we are taking all of these precautions with the plastic tubing. We still have some cords to go, but we are bent on keeping her (and our stuff) safe.

I will definitely get her more toys...and i had thought of catnip as an option...thanks!

Try those chewy toys. And also, there are spray cat repellents as well as bottled "Granick's Bitter Apple" which you can rub on a cloth and then apply to the cords. Of course you'll have to keep doing it, which can get a bit tedious, but my beloved Simba used to be a chewer, and she eventually got tired of every time she went to chew on something, it tasted yukky! Patience and persistence are key here. You have to outlast her urges to chew. But she's WORTH IT!

hmmmm...perhaps i could get some of that and put it on the most obvious cords that she goes after, instead of all of them! that way, it would last longer!

thanks!

It's worth a try, all right. Fosters & Smith should have it, if Petco/PetsMart/the usual suspects don't. Hope you can get some a/o! Sounds like your little beastie needs aversion training pdq.

HAHA!!! we call her "the beast"! hilarious!!

i will definitely look into it, i have a free weekend and i think i'll get some much-needed cat toys like that. thanks!

I've done some research: Cat Claws and Plain Brown Tabby specialize in toys and treats and furniture and such, and don't have what you're looking for; Drs. Foster & Smith have a product they call Chew-Stop, and they only list it for dogs, so I wouldn't buy it without asking specifically if it is safe for cats. Petco has "The Bitter End" which is safe for cats, at $6.74 online; PetsMart has Bitter Cherry, at $6.99 online. They're both sprays. GOOD LUCK! and yes, they ARE little beasts. I call mine "Ungrateful beasties" when they turn their noses up at food.

Originally Posted by Tarasgirl06

I've done some research: Cat Claws and Plain Brown Tabby specialize in toys and treats and furniture and such, and don't have what you're looking for; Drs. Foster & Smith have a product they call Chew-Stop, and they only list it for dogs, so I wouldn't buy it without asking specifically if it is safe for cats. Petco has "The Bitter End" which is safe for cats, at $6.74 online; PetsMart has Bitter Cherry, at $6.99 online.

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Are these American or Canadian stores?? They don't sound familiar...either that, or I really haven't been around town!

(I will still look for them in the area for my little beast...)

Oh, shucks, yeah, they're definitely south of the border. I'm in California. http://www.petco.com and http://www.petsmart.com are the websites, though and I'm not sure whether they ship to Canada. But any relatively large "pet" supply store should have something similar -- maybe look in the phone book and call some and ask for cat-safe bittering agents? Someone should be able to help you!

ahhh...i shall look around here in montreal for i have seen some special pet stores in the area. we must do that this weekend.

thanks so much!

Try a heavy dose of Bitter Apple spray. I've had very good luck with the for kittens, cats and dogs

No problem -- cat comfort and safety is my TOP priority! Sure hope you find the perfect product and that it cures the urge to chomp...

We are about 3 weeks away from bringing home our first kittens and the cord issues has been on our mind as well. Bitter Apple spray seems to be the remedy of choice, but will the kittens just bite and chew the part that is no sprayed? I assume we cannot spray the part right at the outlet, so doesn't that make a tempting target?

I wouldn't worry before the fact; and you can take some of the liquid on a cloth and rub it on the part that is close to the outlet without endangering anyone.