How do I stop my cat from chewing wires?

Question

I have a cat that likes to chew on wires... particularly ones that connect directly to a wall socket. As far as I know, my cat hasn't been electrocuted yet, but I am concerned that it is only a matter of time...

Answer 1

Bitter Apple really does work well.

Answer 2

Maybe he is teething if he's young or he is very bored. Tape all of the wires down on the carpet with duct tape and keep all other wires like headphones out of reach when not in use. Provide him amusing toys and chewing toys so he will stay busy. Pet stores even sell cat chewing bones/sticks so you may try that too. If he still chew on wires you can hiss at him. It's a universal sound of danger or disapproval so he'd understand. Then toss him some toys or chewing bones so he'd get distracted.

Answer 3

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RE:
How do I stop my cat from chewing wires?
I have a cat that likes to chew on wires... particularly ones that connect directly to a wall socket. As far as I know, my cat hasn't been electrocuted yet, but I am concerned that it is only a matter of time...

Answer 4

Hi Nick...a few people suggested the Bitter Apple spray, which can be found at any pet store. It does effectively work as cats dislike the taste, yet is non-toxic. In addition you could wrap the wires in a plastic conduit loom (For an example: http://cableorganizer.com/wire-loom/colored.html) sold at any electronics store. It is relatively inexpensive and also works quite well at protecting wires from chew-happy kitties, while making your wires tidy too.

Answer 5

My cat does this as well!! Drives us crazy..she chew through my cell phone charger, our home telephone line, and a clock radio wire. We just recently taped our phone wire down the length of our desk so she cannot get at it anymore..and we put a "dummy" wire in the area the original phone wire used to hang. It is not connected to anything so she goes over and chews away on it..but it does not do any harm...and so far she has not chewed our other wires....just the "dummy" wire we hanged.

Answer 6

If you don't have a big tangle of wires (like behind an electronics stack) you can buy flexible plastic tubing that you run the cords through. They're an inch or so in diameter, big enough that kitty probably won't be interested in chewing on them, and won't get shocked if s/he does.

In places where you have a big heap of "spaghetti," maybe you could fix up some kind of barricade around it, cardboard boxes or something like that, or put something over it like old blankets.

Answer 7

I agree with the Bitter Apple. Pets don't like the taste. Coat the wires with it. If that doesn't work, can you keep an eye out for when it happens and use a spray of water with a stern NO to try to deter it? I've also heard of tabasco, but try the Bitter Apple first.

Answer 8

When I was having this problem with my Shadow, I was advised to mix cayenne pepper, garlic, Tabasco sauce and a little water together in a spray bottle and mist the problem area. Trust me it works. One sniff and she never chewed on another phone cord again. I know it sounds kinda mean. I would rather she have a bad taste in her mouth instead of her getting fried.

Answer 9

tabasco sprayed on the wires will end it fast, it's what vets use for animals that want to chew or dig in the wrong place, PETA would have a fit, but then the animal would get fried.

Answer 10

Pet stores sell something called Bitter Apple that repels pets from chewing-- my brother-in-law used it to keep his bunny from chewing through the surround sound cords...

Answer 11

I had a hard time breaking my young male of that. I had to watch him closely, and when he got close to any computer cables or electric cords, I would yell "NO!" and pull him away however I could. Some might think it's cruel, but it works and it has saved us money in replacing stuff, and his life.