Keep Cats from Chewing on Electric Cords and Chargers

Every cat owner knows that every cat has its own individual personality. They all have quirks and qualities that make them unique. By far one of the most challenging quirks, however, is the tendency some felines have to chew slender cords and wires -- especially the cords to modern electronic equipment. Preventing this is a challenge that requires both inventiveness and determination. Just as a parent needs to child-proof their home against young children, so a cat owner needs to cat-proof their home.

Steps

 * 1) Provide your cat with cat grass grown from oats or wheat. Many cats feel the need to chew on grass, and without grass, the next closest thing is string and wires.
 * 2) *Cat grass is available in pet stores and on the internet, and you can buy seeds of oats and wheat and grow them yourself in a pot with a little soil. You can even dig up a little sod from a yard that is not treated with pesticides or herbicides. Look to make certain the sod only contains grass leaves, no weeds. Place the clump of sod in the pot on the floor and let the cat chew on it.  Release the sod to its original place when the cat is done chewing on it.  Repeat frequently, as needed.
 * 3) Check the number of appliances plugged into the outlets and how far away those appliances are set . Do not overload your outlets. Beyond any damage your cat may do to them, too great a load on the circuits can cause shorts in the system or even electrical fires.
 * 4) *Determine what sorts of cords are plugged in to those outlets. It maybe helpful to group like cords together. In general the thinner the cords are, the better your cat likes it. Look for which cords are more or less permanently plugged into the outlet and which cords are cords you tend to move about.
 * 5) *Keep the distance between the outlet and the appliances the cords attach to as short as possible.
 * 6) Spray or wipe cords with a non-toxic substance your cat finds distasteful. There are specific products commercially available at many pet stores, or you may find that something as simple as hot sauce or a homemade citrus or vinegar paste may work. (Avoid salty things. Cats like salt.) You will need to periodically renew the application.
 * 7) *Other solutions (and possibly better) are to use products such as "Chewsafe" or "CritterCord". These are clear, flexible protective cord covers infused with a citrus scent to keep the cat away from the cords. It's easy to install and doesn't require any topical re-applications. Also, another great (and cheap) way to discourage chewing is to purchase tin-foil tape from any hardware store and wrap the cords with it. They dislike the alkaline taste in their mouth and will refrain from chewing. A note of caution though, some cats like the tin foil to chew on as it makes the same crunchy sound the foil scrunchy balls from the pet stores make.
 * 8) Rearrange your furniture around to provide protection for hanging cords or cords that tend to move.Block the base and/or back of tables or book cases that have a gap between the floor and the bottom of the unit or the wall and the back of the unit. Remember that cats can slink into openings smaller than your fist,depending on the cat size. Your cat can also move objects that aren't firmly fastened or are heavy. Hide as much of the cord from your cat as possible. Tidy up unnecessary corded appliances and put them away in a safe, cat-free location.
 * 9) *Consider using wireless technology wherever possible, confining the cords to the transmitters to protected or cat-free areas.

Tips

 * When cats chew cords, they're often looking to create small toys for themselves. Short wires skitter across linoleum and hardwood floors quite marvelously when batted by a furry paw. You might try distracting your cat with a different sort of toy.
 * Try to avoid toys or diversions that encourage the wire-chewing behavior.
 * Keep a water-gun handy for squirting your cat when it gets too close to places you don't want it going. (Just be careful not to hit electrical or electronic equipment with the water.)
 * If your cat like a single type of cord over another (i.e. it chews thin charger cords instead of thicker appliance or computer cords), consider simply removing those sorts of cords from its environment by confining them to a dedicated cat-free area of the house or apartment (e.g. a guest bedroom or computer office).
 * If you coat vulnerable wires with a non-toxic substance your cat dislikes to smell or taste, protect your furniture, walls, floor, and carpet by ensuring that whatever substance you use retains its potency when dry while not staining anything. (Hot sauce can work fine too. Just let the wires dry after application, before plugging them back in.)
 * The most vulnerable parts of the cord are where the wire joins the plug or appliance. These sections are not easily protected by cord protection kits. Keep the gaps between any cord protection and the termination points as small as possible. Check them regularly.
 * Unplug unnecessary appliances and put them away in a safe, cat-free space until needed. When needed, do not leave them unattended, or confine their use to safe, cat-free spaces.
 * Optionally, you may wish to simply confine your cat to a cord-free space when you are not home or otherwise able to watch its movements. (Though, really, this method isn't highly recommended. It's extremely difficult to corral a cat.)
 * You can make your own cord protection kit using cardboard or rubber tubing and electrical tape. It's not necessarily any cheaper than using a professional kit, however. Certainly, it's not any less time-consuming.
 * You can make your own plug covers to cover the termination points of cords using the cups from egg cartons and some electrical tape.

Warnings

 * Check the states of your cords regularly. Cats are small and they're clever. They may cause damage to the cord even without actually severing it. A damaged cord can cause fire. Replace or repair any damaged cords immediately.
 * In addition to cords and wires, keep strings, threads, and elastics away from your cat. Not only do they encourage the same chewing behavior, but they can be fatal to your furry friend if swallowed. They can get tangled in their intestines and cause serious medical problems. If you suspect your cat may have swallowed a cord, you may want to have a vet look at it, just to be safe.

Things You'll Need

 * Suitable cord protection kits, such as "Chewsafe" or "CritterCord".

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Cat Proof Your Computer
 * How to Pet a High Strung Cat
 * How to Bathe a Cat
 * How to Get Your Cat to Stop Hissing