Cords and electrical wires are dangerous household items which cats often chew on, finding the oral sensation of chewing, pleasant. Kittens in particular chew cords as part of their exploratory development, a dangerous activity that should be prevented as it presents a choking hazard, as well as the possibility of injury and death from electrocution, apart from damaging your household electronics.
Chewing on odd objects can be a symptom of insufficiency in your cat’s daily dietary needs. Also, boredom can be a major factor in habits like these, thus you should adopt a plan combining management, to keep your cat safe, and enrichment to engage physical and mental needs.
Tips and advice to keep your cat from chewing wires;
Increase daily play activity with your cat, this helps in giving it the attention it requires, also tires your cat out both physically and mentally. Look for toys that require you to be engaged with the play, such as cat teaser, type of toys. Interactive food toys, where your feline hunts for food within the toy, are also a way to engage feline minds and bodies. Training your cat to do simple behaviors more specifically; such as sit, down and other tricks is also a wonderful way to increase your cat’s exercise and it’s a wonderful bonding activity.- Address your cat’s sensory needs: smell, taste, texture and sound. If your cat likes chewing on wires and cords, find items in your local pet store that match those sensations, such as rubber chew toys. Pick some items that are different from these as well, so your cats may enjoy a wide variety of sounds and textures when they play and chew.
- Consider putting the cords inside PVC or wrapping cords in rubber covers that can be purchased at most stores that sell electrical and home repair supplies. Rubbing cords with a citrus scent, which cats dislike is also an option.