I have one cat shes about 8 or 9 months, she was our 2nd cat. she started chewing through phone cords and cell phone charger cords at first but now she chews through our mouse cords and im afraid the cable and computer cords are next. i sprayed everything with bitter yuck spray but it hasnt stopped her. recently our older cat hes about 1 or so... he was our first cat, he started doing it to.... i really just dont know what to do about it. any ideas?!
2007-03-01 08:23:05 · 18 answers · asked by rachelmcc86 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-a-Cat-from-Chewing
wonderful page on how to stop and why they do it
2007-03-01 08:28:00 · answer #1 · answered by allyalexmch 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would use the covers mentioned. Computer stores probably sell them, and on internet sites.
I would hide the other cords. While recharging cell phones etc, either do all of that in a room with the door closed, or keep the cat(s) in the closed room while you charge everything elsewhere.
For the rest, I would try the compressed air. That's a really good idea!
In many cases the distasteful coatings either don't work, or just make your cords or the phones etc, or the furniture attached to them, messy.
2007-03-01 15:02:29 · answer #2 · answered by K.B. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The cable covers are a really good idea. You can also try scaring her. It worked pretty good with my kitten. I used a can of compressed air for electronics. You can buy it at office depot. Just wait until you see her about to bite the cord then spray it. The closer you are the better. Be sure you don't aim at her. It is usually quite startling because the sound is similar to a cat hissing. After a few times of hearing that, my kitten didn't want the cord anymore.
2007-03-01 09:29:21 · answer #3 · answered by eigna728 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is a real tough one! It may be more of a texture thing or she thinks it's a toy or might be teething though 8 months is a bit old for that. Still, she technically still is a kitten and you know how squirrely they are! Might try a diversion. Give it a bunch of old cords to play with. I know that's a bit hair brained, but it's worth a shot. We have a cat that loves to lick blankets and occasionally goes after cords and another goes for licking plastic bags. Had an aunt with a cat named Muffin. Chewed through a lamp cord and got severe burns in the mouth. Sorry that I don't have a good answer for you other than contacting a vet. Who knows why catz do what they do? I'm 61 and lived with them all my life and they still never fail to intrigue me!
2007-03-01 08:38:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go toRadio Shack or Best buy or any electronic store and get cable covers. They are hard plastic and cover single or many cords that are bundled together.
Also you can just make a cloth cover a large piece of cloth sewn into a large tube and leave both ends unsewn. Unplug the cord from the wall put the cloth tube over the cord and replug in. This will also hold the spray deteriants better. Also you can get creative and make them color cordinated with room....
2007-03-01 08:34:05 · answer #5 · answered by KittyCondos 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Get a cat scratcher with catnip and set play toys (mouse on a string hanging from a door handle or chair) around that your cat can play and chew. Your cat can get killed if she chews an electrical cord that's plugged in. I've seen a mouse dead of doing this. Try putting cable covers over phone cords or if you want a cheaper alternative buy foam insulation (round stuff about 3/4in think) and cut it lengthwise so you can put the cables inside it. I don't think a cat will like chewing into that foam stuff.
Also try getting your cat her own mouse and cable, Free if you ask around for old ones. The cat may be teething (they loose their teeth just like people) get something else for her to chew on.
2007-03-01 08:32:40 · answer #6 · answered by CraZePeahen 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I had to deal with that with our young cats. I would yell at them when they started chewing on cords, then follow that up with a swat. It sounds harsh, but it's better than letting them get electrocuted!
Other people have started running their cords through lengths of pipe to protect them from critter teeth. That won't help with mouse cords or some phone cords, but it will help with some of the others.
Good luck!
2007-03-01 08:39:05 · answer #7 · answered by Tigger 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ask your pet store about coverings for the cords. I saw it on an animal tv show once. The covers are like tubes that you run the cords through, and the cats can't get to them.
2007-03-02 06:19:43 · answer #8 · answered by Tigger 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats hate the smell of perfume. Spray the cords with cheap perfume & the carpets near the cords. Strong disinfectant works well too, especially antiseptic ones.
2007-03-01 08:31:35 · answer #9 · answered by Another Planet 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If possible, take as many wires off the ground and replace keyboards/mice and other peripherals with wireless counterparts. Or, you could try and make some sort of nasty mix and find a wire you don't care about; give it to your cat to see if it will chew the wire and stop because of the mix you made. This site also has many more suggestions: http://www.stretcher.com/stories/03/03nov03a.cfm
2007-03-01 08:31:19 · answer #10 · answered by chris 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rub the cords with a cut lemon or lime. Cats HATE the smell of citrus!
Also, supply them with catnip toys to distract them from the cords.
2007-03-01 11:22:01 · answer #11 · answered by Killertiel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋