CORD CHEWING!! HELP :(

lunaollinaho

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Cat parents: I need HELP. My year and a half fixed male, artemis won't stop chewing every cord I have. I've already gone through 6 chargers & now he just chewed my laptop charger in half. This is so frustrating! And expensive. I'm going to lose my entire mind :'(
 

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Guys, this is my friend Tiia! She is going nuts with her kitty chewing all of her cords. I directed her to this site because I know someone on her must be able to give her some sort of advice! 
 

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Can you cover the cords where he can get at it? Some quick fix are toilet paper tubes. They also sell cord covers at stores.

There's also spray that cats dont like- apple bitter spray is one- you just spray it on the cord and makes it taste nasty.
 

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Can you cover the cords where he can get at it? Some quick fix are toilet paper tubes. They also sell cord covers at stores.

There's also spray that cats dont like- apple bitter spray is one- you just spray it on the cord and makes it taste nasty.


My Aby used to chew on cords all the time when he was a kitten. He stopped when I adopted a cat to keep him company. Perhaps your cat is chewing on the cords out of boredome and frustration. Is getting a second cat an option? If not, try more interactive playtime.
 

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Coat the cords with Vaseline.  Cats do not like the taste or feel.  Note that this means every dust bunny for 10 miles will stick to the cord.  This will work for fixed electronics: tv, stereo etc.  For the laptop cord, cell phone charger that is trickier.  Are you using the laptop while it is plugged in?  If not, plug it in in a bedroom, bathroom, and close the door - no kitty allowed.  Of course if you have family members this becomes more involved.
 
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lunaollinaho

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:yeah:

My Aby used to chew on cords all the time when he was a kitten. He stopped when I adopted a cat to keep him company. Perhaps your cat is chewing on the cords out of boredome and frustration. Is getting a second cat an option? If not, try more interactive playtime.
I have 3 cats so that's definitely not the issue lol. I am thinking it has something to do with me being gone lots. There was a time where I was home alot, but I'm in college now so I'm barely home. He could have separation anxiety?
 
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lunaollinaho

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Coat the cords with Vaseline.  Cats do not like the taste or feel.  Note that this means every dust bunny for 10 miles will stick to the cord.  This will work for fixed electronics: tv, stereo etc.  For the laptop cord, cell phone charger that is trickier.  Are you using the laptop while it is plugged in?  If not, plug it in in a bedroom, bathroom, and close the door - no kitty allowed.  Of course if you have family members this becomes more involved.
I do use it while it's plugged in cause it often dies when I'm doing projects or research for school. I started locking my cats out of my bedroom though after the chewing started because I charge my phone in there. But at night time this has become an issue because he scratches the door and rips my carpet up...
 
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lunaollinaho

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Can you cover the cords where he can get at it? Some quick fix are toilet paper tubes. They also sell cord covers at stores.

There's also spray that cats dont like- apple bitter spray is one- you just spray it on the cord and makes it taste nasty.
I'll definitely have to try wire covers. I'm worried he's going to chew the TV or microwave cords and hurt himself badly. :(
 

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Good advice you have received!

Toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, bitter apple, these all work well.

Think about something.......if you close him away from you when you ARE home, it will just continue.

Might wanna rethink that, maybe try to stop and give some one on one time, playtime, lovin time, and do it daily when you come home. He might get his fill and not be beating down the door trying to get in, you might not have to close him out even.

Also on top of this, leave your pajamas out for him to lay on when you're gone, it can be very calming and helpful.
 

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Hello @LunaOllinaho,  please do not lose your "entire mind" to this playful Artemis.
  I had cats in the past who were very persistent in cord chewing, and often felt like you, and was always worried that they would shock themselves, so basically I had to think, and try everything to stop it.  It's like you have to "kitty proof" your house.


My advice would be repeating what the above members have already said, in that I have tried:
  1. "Bitter Apple" with some success, since it lightly coats the wires, and gives it a slight bitter taste (though the wire has to be fully intact with no teeth puncture marks). and one cat ignored it.

  2. if you can go to Home Depot or some electronic store and buy electric cord "protectors" that can keep all your cords covered.  http://www.homedepot.com/b/Electrical-Home-Electronics-Cable-Management/N-5yc1vZc64e?Nao=24            (they also sell "electrical wire race-way covers"....but they are pretty expensive)

  3. The cord protectors I have used for squirrels in garage were called "split loom"  http://www.amazon.com/Cord-Protector-CritterCord-Protect-Hazardous/dp/B000EH2I5O   (I think I bought mine from "Princess Auto")....  http://www.princessauto.com/en/search?Dy=1&Nty=1&Ntt=split+loom

  4.   if you can cover the cords in clear thick vinyl tubing which the Home Depot carries for plumbing.

  5.   like other TCS members mentioned, .... using empty paper tubes from paper towels or toilet paper rolls, but you would have to tape these on or arrange them to cover the wire in total length.

  6.   lastly, I tried clear wide tape and duct tape, from dollar store, to tape away the cords, which made the place look awful, but prevented access to the cords behind the t.v., phone, answering ,machine.
As far as the scratching on the door, I think the only thing you can do is get "carpet remnants" and tape them up to the door, since all my cats loved to scratch carpets and furniture, which I would just cover with furniture throws, or buy corrugated cardboard scratching boards.

Basically, you have to outsmart your little Artemis, which is a great name btw.
   And Welcome to TCSite.  I would love to know which one of your 3 cats is Artemis, (my guess is the grey), but I know you said you are in college, so you might not have much time to post photos.  Good Luck in your studies. 
 
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lunaollinaho

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Good advice you have received!

Toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, bitter apple, these all work well.

Think about something.......if you close him away from you when you ARE home, it will just continue.

Might wanna rethink that, maybe try to stop and give some one on one time, playtime, lovin time, and do it daily when you come home. He might get his fill and not be beating down the door trying to get in, you might not have to close him out even.

Also on top of this, leave your pajamas out for him to lay on when you're gone, it can be very calming and helpful.
I do play with him, alot. But it was really the only option I could think of cause every time I let him sleep in my room he eats my chargers. Then I miss school cause my phone doesn't charge and my alarms don't go off.... I didn't think it would be that big of an issue since I have 2 other cats to keep him company during the night. I'm going to try the sprays and paper towel rolls.... but chargers are expensive and I'm on a college budget it's hard to keep replacing my cords.
 
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lunaollinaho

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Hello @LunaOllinaho
,  please do not lose your "entire mind" to this playful Artemis.:bigwink: :rub:   I had cats in the past who were very persistent in cord chewing, and often felt like you, and was always worried that they would shock themselves, so basically I had to think, and try everything to stop it.  It's like you have to "kitty proof" your house. :frusty:

My advice would be repeating what the above members have already said, in that I have tried:

  1. "Bitter Apple" with some success, since it lightly coats the wires, and gives it a slight bitter taste (though the wire has to be fully intact with no teeth puncture marks). and one cat ignored it.

  2. if you can go to Home Depot or some electronic store and buy electric cord "protectors" that can keep all your cords covered.  http://www.homedepot.com/b/Electrical-Home-Electronics-Cable-Management/N-5yc1vZc64e?Nao=24            (they also sell "electrical wire race-way covers"....but they are pretty expensive)

  3. The cord protectors I have used for squirrels in garage were called "split loom"  http://www.amazon.com/Cord-Protector-CritterCord-Protect-Hazardous/dp/B000EH2I5O  (I think I bought mine from "Princess Auto")....  http://www.princessauto.com/en/search?Dy=1&Nty=1&Ntt=split+loom

  4.   if you can cover the cords in clear thick vinyl tubing which the Home Depot carries for plumbing.

  5.   like other TCS members mentioned, .... using empty paper tubes from paper towels or toilet paper rolls, but you would have to tape these on or arrange them to cover the wire in total length.

  6.   lastly, I tried clear wide tape and duct tape, from dollar store, to tape away the cords, which made the place look awful, but prevented access to the cords behind the t.v., phone, answering ,machine.

As far as the scratching on the door, I think the only thing you can do is get "carpet remnants" and tape them up to the door, since all my cats loved to scratch carpets and furniture, which I would just cover with furniture throws, or buy corrugated cardboard scratching boards.
Basically, you have to outsmart your little Artemis, which is a great name btw. :nod:    And Welcome to TCSite.  I would love to know which one of your 3 cats is Artemis, (my guess is the grey), but I know you said you are in college, so you might not have much time to post photos.  Good Luck in your studies.  :)
Thanks :)
Artemis is the white one ! I was a huge sailor moon fan as a child so my black one is luna, white is artemis and Grey is Riini. Technically Riinis name shoulve be been Diana cause that's what the daughters name is in SM but I didn't like that for a cat haha so I chose sailor moons daughters name instead :)
 
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lunaollinaho

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Hello @LunaOllinaho
,  please do not lose your "entire mind" to this playful Artemis.:bigwink: :rub:   I had cats in the past who were very persistent in cord chewing, and often felt like you, and was always worried that they would shock themselves, so basically I had to think, and try everything to stop it.  It's like you have to "kitty proof" your house. :frusty:

My advice would be repeating what the above members have already said, in that I have tried:

  1. "Bitter Apple" with some success, since it lightly coats the wires, and gives it a slight bitter taste (though the wire has to be fully intact with no teeth puncture marks). and one cat ignored it.

  2. if you can go to Home Depot or some electronic store and buy electric cord "protectors" that can keep all your cords covered.  http://www.homedepot.com/b/Electrical-Home-Electronics-Cable-Management/N-5yc1vZc64e?Nao=24            (they also sell "electrical wire race-way covers"....but they are pretty expensive)

  3. The cord protectors I have used for squirrels in garage were called "split loom"  http://www.amazon.com/Cord-Protector-CritterCord-Protect-Hazardous/dp/B000EH2I5O  (I think I bought mine from "Princess Auto")....  http://www.princessauto.com/en/search?Dy=1&Nty=1&Ntt=split+loom

  4.   if you can cover the cords in clear thick vinyl tubing which the Home Depot carries for plumbing.

  5.   like other TCS members mentioned, .... using empty paper tubes from paper towels or toilet paper rolls, but you would have to tape these on or arrange them to cover the wire in total length.

  6.   lastly, I tried clear wide tape and duct tape, from dollar store, to tape away the cords, which made the place look awful, but prevented access to the cords behind the t.v., phone, answering ,machine.

As far as the scratching on the door, I think the only thing you can do is get "carpet remnants" and tape them up to the door, since all my cats loved to scratch carpets and furniture, which I would just cover with furniture throws, or buy corrugated cardboard scratching boards.
Basically, you have to outsmart your little Artemis, which is a great name btw. :nod:    And Welcome to TCSite.  I would love to know which one of your 3 cats is Artemis, (my guess is the grey), but I know you said you are in college, so you might not have much time to post photos.  Good Luck in your studies.  :)
 

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Charli was (is, with paper) a chewer...and she chewed cords...until I bought a roll of clear tubing from the fish store, cut them the length of my cords, slit them lengthwise, slipped them over cords!  TA DAH!  That was the end of it.  They are too thick to comfortably chew, and they are now well protected.  No more issues.

Hope that helps!

Sabrina
 

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What a wonderful bunch of people to the rescue here. I found, by accident, that my cats do not like lemon scent. They would get on the dinning table which I do not approve of and when I polished it with lemon scent furniture polish they no longer wanted to get on the dinning table.  
 

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Thanks for posting the photo!  I better go looking at some Sailor Moon info, because I thought the white one was Luna, since the moon is white.  (It's really good that I don't go and bet on things, since I had 1 in 3 odds...oh, well.)


How could the white one, which looks so cute be the troublemaker? 
They are all great names, but I thought Artemis was the greek goddess of 'wild animals'....so maybe that is why he is so wild.  Still make sure to tell Artemis, that his fur is white enough, and he better not go looking for shock hazards.
  He does have a little bit of a "mischievous" look in those eyes, so I guess the handsome colour lets him get away with stuff.
 
Charli was (is, with paper) a chewer...and she chewed cords...until I bought a roll of clear tubing from the fish store, cut them the length of my cords, slit them lengthwise, slipped them over cords!  TA DAH!  That was the end of it.  They are too thick to comfortably chew, and they are now well protected.  No more issues.

Hope that helps!

Sabrina
 
What a wonderful bunch of people to the rescue here. I found, by accident, that my cats do not like lemon scent. They would get on the dinning table which I do not approve of and when I polished it with lemon scent furniture polish they no longer wanted to get on the dinning table.  
I have to try to remember these above suggestions, too, because a fish store,  aquarium tubing, and maybe even an ordinary lemon might just be even less expensive.  Good  Advice.
 
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