Cats, Cord-chewing and How to Stop it
If your feline is chewing on electrical cords, a variety of factors might be involved. For starters, it might be OCD or an issue related to the environment. Other factors such as irritation caused by a dental problem can also make your feline friend nibble on electrical cords. Whatever the reason, chewing electrical wires is dangerous to cats as it puts them at risk of electrocution. It can also lead to choking which can cause death if no-one is around to help the cat.
Here are some symptoms of electrical injury in cats.
Signs of electrical injury in cats
The most common symptom of electrical injury in cats is burning around the animal’s mouth. If the hairs around the mouth or whiskers are singed, that might also be a sign of electrical injury. Other common signs of electrical injury in cats include coughing, tinged skin, difficulty in breathing, cracking sounds in the cat’s lungs when breathing, and abnormal breathing.
If you see any of these symptoms in your cat contact us immediately for professional assistance.
How to stop your pet from chewing cords
Take them to a vet
The first step towards stopping your cat from chewing electrical wires is noticing any unusual chewing behavior. Visit us so we can identify the real reason behind such behavior as well as any underlying health issues.
Cover all cords
Use PVC pipes to cover your electrical cables. Doing this means not only the cats are safe, but anybody else that might come into contact with an exposed wire in the house. If they still try to chew the pipes, make them less appealing by spraying them with pepper or hot sauce.
Offer them an alternative
If your cat is hell-bent on chewing wires, offer them something different such as cardboard. Dip the cardboard in water before giving it to your puppy then use the microwave to soften them further. Your cat might be gnawing on electrical cords as part of their teeth fall out process and can offer significant help.
Conclusion
If the methods above do not work, you can also try adding digestible fiber to your cat’s diet. It helps your cat reduce their chewing activity or even stop. Chewing electrical cords can also be a sign of anxiety. Relieve your cat’s stress by bringing them over for a therapy session while learning how to stop cable chewing altogether.
Sources
https://www.thesprucepets.com/cat-chewing-electrical-wires-554022
http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/cat-health/cat-behavior/why-does-my-cat-chew-electrical-cords
https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/cardiovascular/c_ct_electric_cord_bite
