Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have an adult cat who loves to chew cords and wires. She will chew on any hanging wire or cord---but not if it's laying flat on the floor. Does anybody have any suggestions? Is there anything stronger than Bitter Apple or Fooey or anything you get in the pet store? Maybe I should wrap the cords in double sided tape? Put 2-sided tape on the floor near hanging cords? Anything else?

Hi!

I don't seem to understand. What is the purpose of the double sided tape? She could still bite through that, couldn't she? And then it might even stick to her and she might get entangled. This was the picture that came to my mind. Maybe I misunderstand you.

We have for a gas pipe a long, flexible but hard plastic tube that wraps it. I don't think a cat could bite through that. It's also much larger than a cable, about 3/4 of an inch in diameter. Maybe ask in your local household supplies store or DIY store for something like that.

Or you could tape the cord to the wall, so that it doesn't hang freely and excite her. But again, I wouldn't use double sided tape.

Good luck!

Tilda

I was thinking that the double sided tape could be used one of two ways: around the cord itself, so when she bites into it, it's sticky and yucky; or on the floor around the cord, so when she steps up to the cord, she gets sticky feet (similar to the stuff used to keep cats off furniture).

The best thing you could do is get some sort of a cord guard - many pet stores carry something like that - also some hardware stores have things like that. I don't think the double sided tape is a good idea.

In the meantime try rubbing the cord with citrus peel, or paint it with a solution of cayenne pepper and water then let it dry.
-----
Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

Where does one get solution of cayene pepper?

PS: How does one go about making cayenne pepper solution? Do I just use the stuff from the spice rack? It's so red---won't it stain? Can it be sprayed? Is "Fooey," which the pet shot claims is better than bitter apple, any good? And how often do I need to reapply the stuff?

I bought conduits and they are fine, but cannot cover every inch of the wire, especially where it bends around furniture. Also, I can't put every wire in my house inside a conduit. I like the spray idea---someone also suggested dish soap.

I used the flexible cord covering found at hardward and computer stores. It is bigger in diameter to hold several cords at a time to reduce the uglyness of many cords but it worked great on a single cord my cat kept chewing cause now when I hear her attempt to bit the cord she actually only gets to the top layer of the protective covering and cause it is bigger than fine lines it seemed to discourage her and I new she wouldn't get through to the dangerous stuff or totally destroy my lines.

Good Luck
-----
Cheri,Shelby,Lily & Lucy

The cayenne pepper would probably make the cords red for sure - however once it dries it probably wouldn't stain, however if you've got the cords on light-colored surfaces this might not be a good option just in case.

-----
Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

I have a cat that used to eat all my wood in the house, and tried to chew on a chord.
I used Dawn Dish Washing Liquid (full strength, not diluted) on the chord, and one taste, and no more chewing!

Try it! It won't hurt your chord either...