Cats are curious and playful animals. Many objects around the house will catch their attention and loose cables are no exception.
Your cat chewing on cables could end up being anything from a minor nuisance by stopping a charger working to a fatal health hazard for your cat.
By taking a few relatively easy steps you can cat-proof your electric cables, avoid broken electronics and potential injury for your cat. Read on for more and check out other tips before bringing a cat into your home.
Why Is My Cat Chewing Cables?
Cats may chew cables just out of curiosity.
They may also be doing it because they are bored and aren’t getting enough mental stimulation.
Kittens may be going through teething stages and will find comfort in chewing many things including cables.
How To Cat-Proof Electric Cables
There are lots of ways to stop your cat chewing cables.
It is safest to remove the temptation rather than just making it more difficult for the cat to chew on them. Prevention is better than cure!
These tips will help cat-proof your cables:
Hide and Organise Cables
Move furniture
Rearrange your furniture to hide cables in places your cat can’t reach. Cats can fit into really small spaces but if you put bookcases and cabinets right up against the wall your cat wont be able to reach the cables behind.
Attach cables to surfaces
Running cables along corners between the wall and floor or skirting will make it much harder for your cat to chew on them. The cables will also be much less appealing as they are not hanging loose and cannot move around.
Remove unused cables
If the cables don’t exist they can’t be chewed! Putting unnecessary electronics and cables away while not in use will prevent damage.
Make Cables Unappealing
Make cables taste bad
Spraying or wiping down cables with a bad tasting substance will put your cat off from chewing.
There are commercial products available such as bitter apple or pepper sprays. Homemade solutions like lemon juice, chilli pepper or dish soap will also work.
Use double-sided tape
Cats do not like sticky surfaces so putting double-sided tape on exposed cables will prevent them from chewing.
Cover Exposed Cables
Trunking
If you must have cables running in places that cats can reach then covering them with hard plastic trunking can help protect them. This might not stop the most determined of cats but will slow down the process giving time to stop them before it becomes dangerous.
Cable management boxes
Loose and dangling cables are very appealing to cats so make sure any essential cables are tidy and where possible, stored away.
Distract Your Cat
Loud noises
Cats may not be as trainable or obedient as dogs, but shouting a firm “NO” or clapping your hands when cats are going near the cables can help over time.
Distract with toys
Cats often chew cables because they are bored and need mental stimulation. Giving them a variety of toys to play with will keep them interested and away from your cables.
Scratch post
How To Cat Proof Electric Cables – Summary
Cats are curious and love to play with things they find around the house. Electric cables can be a dangerous plaything, especially if they are chewed.
By taking a few relatively easy steps, you can cat-proof your electric cables and avoid broken electronics and potential injury for your cat.
Don’t forget to check out this article to cat-proof the rest of your home too!
Frequently Asked Questions
To stop your cat from ruining your house, provide appropriate scratching surfaces, keep valuable or fragile items out of reach, use deterrents on furniture, and provide enough mental and physical stimulation for your cat.
To cat-proof your living room, secure cords and cables, remove toxic plants, store hazardous materials safely, secure breakable items, provide vertical spaces for climbing, and keep small objects out of reach.
To cat-proof your bed, use a pet-friendly barrier or gate if desired, provide a comfortable alternative sleeping spot, trim your cat’s nails regularly, and use washable or protective covers on your bed.
To cat-proof your garden, create a cat-friendly area, ensure plants are non-toxic, install secure fencing or barriers, avoid toxic chemicals, and fix any gaps or holes in boundaries.
Ultrasonic deterrents, motion-activated sprinklers, scent deterrents, physical barriers, secure entrances, and noise distractions can deter cats.
Cats may cause some damage to your home, such as scratching furniture, knocking over objects, accidents outside the litter box, or occasional chewing. However, proper training, providing appropriate outlets for their behavior, and supervising their interactions can minimize significant damage.