TheCatSite.com › Forums › Our Feline Companions › Behavior › Chewing wires
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Chewing wires

post #1 of 10
5/6/11 at 8:56pm
Thread Starter 
My cat loves chewing wires. He is 2 years old. He has cost my family hundreds in laptop adapters and HDMI cords. My parents are worried he will start a fire or electrocute himself, so he is currently being confined to one room with no cords, and they want to get rid of him. He doesn't really learn by being sprayed with water, it just makes him do his misdeeds when noone is around.

He also jumps on counters, bites people with holding onto their arm with his claws so they can't get him off, and stalks behind them and attacks. He is a really spunky cat but he needs to be trained somehow so my parents don't get rid of him. Any ideas? Also, if I grab him by the scruff or spray him with water when he attacks, he usually just gets angry and attacks again.

Thanks yall.
Reply
post #2 of 10
5/6/11 at 10:15pm
Oh, dear... that is a dangerous thing to like to gnaw on! Peanut has often shown interest in my Apple cords- he only seems to like white ones, which is odd.

You might consider using Bitter Apple on the cords- I believe you can just rub it on and the taste sends kitty running away. I haven't tried it myself, but a friend told me it worked well for her! Just make SURE you get the cat version and not the dog version!

Good luck!!
Reply
post #3 of 10
5/7/11 at 10:25am
You can buy PVC tubing (kinda like aquarium airlines but bigger), often types specifically made to deter pets from chewing.
It is split so that you can fit it over the wires and cables.

Most home improvement stores carry it.
Reply
post #4 of 10
5/7/11 at 6:29pm
I have 4 cats and could go on about this forever but I won't. Here is an article which is specific to kittens (if memory serves) but the products suggested will also help with adult cats. There are several methods you can try. I used Bitter Apple with success but there are other alternatives if Bitter Apple does not appeal to you.

http://cats.about.com/od/catcare/f/catproofwiring.htm

Michael
Reply
post #5 of 10
5/7/11 at 8:46pm
Years ago I got some metal tubing from a garage sale used it over all the cords in my room where the then kittens hung out. I would say look into a hardware/home store as the guy had some elec supplies(outlets/wires)

It held up and had it up till we moved out of such a small area. Sounds like a bored cat in general tho and one who needs ALOT of interaction or hes going to find things to do on his own. Even all your interaction may not be enough
Reply
post #6 of 10
5/8/11 at 4:18pm
Is he the only cat?

I had a wire chewer. I put foam water pipe insulaters (sp?) . Not pretty but it worked. He was the same one who attacked me, too when he was angry at me. I never knew why he was this way with me other than he knew he was the boss because I couldn't handle him. He would even attack me while I slept. He did adore me, though If you can get him to a place like a bathroom and shut the door behind him and let him cool down (time out) it would probably be best.
Reply
post #7 of 10
5/9/11 at 3:52pm
Thread Starter 
Yes he's the only cat, and like yours, he bites my head when Im sleeping. I think he's just got a black heart or something.
Reply
post #8 of 10
5/9/11 at 5:12pm
No advice. I'm fortunate that my cats have never really taken a serious interest in wires. My 2 kittens who are about 8 months old now, did express some curiosity in the beginning, but not chewing. More like wanting to pick them up and cart them off.

When they started to do that I distracted them with a wand toy (Da Bird). They took interest in the toy and left the wires alone. Now they don't bother wires at all.
Reply
post #9 of 10
5/9/11 at 5:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by stupidcat View Post
Yes he's the only cat, and like yours, he bites my head when Im sleeping. I think he's just got a black heart or something.
No. He doesn't have a black heart. He is interacting with you as he would it's mother or a sibbling.

Perhaps get him a playmate? A cat around the same age so that he won't be lonely. Also try playing with him more during the day/evening, using interactive toys such as wand toys or throwing fury toys for him to chase. Hide and seek is also fun. You hide around a wall and peek around the corner and then duck back. When you see him take off to find you, run around to try and get to the other side of the wall so he can't see you. Then peek around from the other direction.
Reply
post #10 of 10
5/9/11 at 9:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by stupidcat View Post
He doesn't really learn by being sprayed with water, it just makes him do his misdeeds when noone is around.

Also, if I grab him by the scruff or spray him with water when he attacks, he usually just gets angry and attacks again.

Thanks yall.
Quote:
Originally Posted by stupidcat View Post
I think he's just got a black heart or something.
Cats do not learn this way... What you are doing is just making matters worst... way worst. It is just damaging your relationship with your kitty and turning it more aggressive towards you.
Others gave you excellent advice about bitter apple...
For the counters, there is an excellent product called SSSCat.
Also, out of curiosity, how old was this kitty when it came to live with you? What is it's history? was it very young?
And last question - out pure curiosity..... why would one choose an user name "stupidcat"?
I guess I am trying to find out here if you really do love your cat or if you were just really annoyed when you wrote your post... Cats are very sensitive creatures, and they will pretty much give you what you give them... Most of the times, at least, in normal circumstances....
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Behavior
TheCatSite.com › Forums › Our Feline Companions › Behavior › Chewing wires