Owners often see pieces of furniture damaged by their pet, bitten shoes, and chewed cables. A person perceives a pet’s actions as targeted sabotage, but incorrect behavior can be provoked by a number of objective factors. It is important to understand what is causing the problem and begin to wean your fluffy from the addiction.
What to do if your pet is electrocuted
It is not easy to stop a cat from chewing wires, especially if the animal has this bad habit in old age. It happens that if the owner is at home, the cat restrains himself, but still continues to play around when left alone (alone at home or alone in the room).
What to do if a cat has all the signs of an electric shock (pallor or even cyanosis of the mucous membranes, arrhythmia and slow pulse, convulsions, weakness, breathing problems, minor lesions on the skin, loss of consciousness)? If the owner is lucky and notices an electrical injury in his purr in time, he needs to act like this:
- Stop panicking. You cannot immediately scream or grab the cat without rubber gloves (this can lead to an electric shock);
If possible, you need to pull out the faulty wire from the socket using something non-metallic (a wooden mop, a broom, you can pull it out with your hand, but with a rubber glove). If you cannot pull out the wire, you must at least throw it off the animal;
Then the cat needs to be raised in the pelvic area so that the lower legs are higher than the level of the head. Another option is to lift the cat by its hind legs and twist it a little. This must be done to provoke blood flow to the brain;
If about 15 seconds have passed and the animal has not regained consciousness, you will have to perform artificial respiration, exhaling air from the pet’s mouth into the nose 12-15 times per minute (each exhalation is about 5 seconds). The pet should be laid on a flat surface on its right side. It is important to ensure that your pet exhales air. Simultaneously with artificial respiration, it is advisable to massage the heart by pressing on the chest, as if lifting the ribs to the neck. You need to do about 100 pressures per minute. If there is a family member at home, you need to ask him to urgently call a veterinarian at home. A specialist will be able to resuscitate the animal better and faster;
- If the pet has come to its senses, it needs to be calmed down and then given some water to drink. An electric shock burn can be lubricated with sea buckthorn oil, Solcoseryl, Levomekol or other similar ointment. You definitely need to make sure that the mustachioed striped one does not approach the faulty wire again.
Behavior adjustment
In order to wean your pet once and for all from the dangerous habit of chewing wires, as already noted, you need to eliminate the cause.
Remember! Rough physical methods, disrespectful attitude, shouting, and especially beating will not help in this situation.
This approach will only embitter the animal and the cat may begin to do everything to spite you. Show consistency in actions and persistence. Be patient. Cats are smart, quick-witted, but rather capricious and stubborn animals.
You need to teach your kitten good behavior from an early age. You can begin parenting when the baby is completely accustomed to the environment and the members of his family. From an early age, an animal must clearly understand what is allowed and what is prohibited. Adult cats are more difficult to train and it is almost impossible to eradicate some “bad” habits.
Method No. 1 If a kitten or adult pet shows interest in the wires, plays and chews on them, you need to immediately stop this behavior. At the same time, the simplest and most effective method that will wean a cat from gnawing wires is to remove them from the animal’s reach and visibility. For the safety of your furry pet, and also if you just got a kitten and don’t know its habits and manners, hide them in places inaccessible to pets or, best of all, place them in special cable channels (corrugated tubes, boxes).
Advice! Make sure that the wires do not resemble cat toys (ribbons, strings, laces).
If the electrical cord hangs from the table, it will attract your pet's attention. Insulate the wires behind the furniture, secure them tightly to the walls and floor. In this case, they will become unattractive for the game. Several wires can be fastened together with special clamps. Thick “bundles” of cables are less attractive to cats than individual cables.
Method No. 2 When charging your phone or other electronic devices, place them on elevated surfaces or in places that are difficult for your cat to reach. Stores sell special devices in which the telephone is placed and the entire structure is connected to the outlet.
Do not leave devices charging overnight as cats may become active at night. After charging, hide the devices in places inaccessible to the animal (cabinets, bedside tables).
Be sure to block any gaps between the floor and the bottom or the wall and the back of electrical equipment and household appliances. Don't forget that cats can easily get into small holes.
Method No. 3 The following simple and effective methods and available means will help you stop a kitten from gnawing on wires, including:
- repellent odors, special repellents;
- diet adjustments;
- "Antigrisin";
- aloe juice;
- foil, double-sided tape;
- severe reprimand, harsh sounds.
Method No. 4 As soon as the pet shows interest in the wires, use a stern tone and clap your hands to scare the cat away from the object that interests him. Spray your cat with water or use an empty can of compressed air. Cats are afraid of loud, sharp, hissing sounds, pops, and rustling objects. Movements and repellent actions should be unexpected for the cat.
Method No. 5 Lubricate the entire surface of the electrical cables with something tasteless, for example, mustard, onion, garlic gruel, lemon juice, essential oils with a strong pungent odor that will scare away the little playful.
Important! Do not use substances, mixtures, medications, or chemicals that are toxic to cats, which can cause severe poisoning, intoxication, allergies, or harm the pet’s health.
Many cat breeders recommend treating wires with aloe juice. The bitter taste of the medicinal plant will not harm the cat, but will provoke profuse drooling. Therefore, after the “lesson” taught, you need to pour boiled water into your pet’s mouth. Despite the inhumane nature of the method, it is very effective and the cat will forget for a long time what it is like to chew wires. Also, many felines do not like the smell of citrus fruits. If you don't have aloe, you can use orange peel.
Method No. 6 Buy “Antigrisin” at veterinary pharmacies and pet stores. Lubricate the wires with it. Wrap the cables with foil and double-sided tape. Cats simply hate sticky things.
The danger of a bad habit
A loving owner should not ignore the kitten's addiction to wires. Such games can end badly for home equipment and harm your pet.
The consequences of chewing wires can be as follows:
- Contact with exposed electrical wire. This danger threatens not only the prankster, but also the owner, who may not immediately detect cable damage. Electric shock can harm the animal and even take its life.
- Failure of technical devices. This outcome does not threaten the animal in any way, but it will bring a lot of additional worries to the owner related to restoring the functionality of the devices.
How to fix the problem
If the purr does not want to give up the bad habit, it is necessary to determine how to protect the wires from the cat, and the cat itself from the wires. There are several ways to do this.
We use special means
One of the most effective solutions to the problem is to treat the wires with special veterinary products, for example, Anti-Gryzin spray. It has a sharp citrus odor, unpleasant for cats, and is sold at any veterinary pharmacy. The product can be used not only on wires, but also on wallpaper, furniture or curtains that are threatened by the claws and teeth of a pet.
Hiding the wires
An equally effective means of protection is to limit the animal’s access to its treasured “toys.” Rearrange furniture so that all overhanging wires are blocked, or hide wires under baseboards.
Do not leave headphones or chargers in the public domain, hiding them in boxes.
Give chewable treats
If we are talking about a kitten that has just appeared in the house, then you should not waste time solving the question of why the cat is gnawing on wires with ecstasy. It's better to start being proactive. The first thing to do is treat potentially dangerous areas with Anti-Gnat and buy your baby special chewable treats. They are designed to effectively massage the kitten's gums, distracting from addiction.
First way: hide everything
It is also the most effective, with a 100% successful outcome. Hide all the wires in cable channels, in special corrugated tubes, or nail the wires to the wall, at a height of about 50 cm. But, unfortunately, these options are good when you start renovating an apartment from scratch, but in reality we change apartments and are forced to adapt already to those outlets that existed before us. Therefore, we take this method into account for the future, when we buy an apartment for self-finishing and do everything for ourselves and our beloved pets.
The main reasons for showing interest in wires
How to stop a dog from chewing everything in the absence of the owner
If a cat has chewed through an electrical wire, then there is some reason for this behavior. The main ones are described below.
Curiosity
At birth, kittens learn about the world and are attracted to everything that lies, hangs, or moves incorrectly. Cats are playful animals by nature, so there must be special toys in the house that will help avoid cutting wires in the absence of their owners.
Attention deficit
Kittens, like small children, constantly need attention, and in its absence they look for a replacement: they tear up wallpaper, scratch furniture, tear curtains, and also begin to bite wires. Thus, the animal simply attracts attention to itself, in dire need of communication.
Lack of communication
Scratching teeth
Kittens may begin to chew on wires when they are changing their baby teeth to permanent ones. The gums itch and you want to scratch them. Why not bite the wires if the owner did not worry about this in advance and did not purchase special toys that could be used to scratch the gums.
Adult cats begin to chew the cables, thus cleaning their teeth from the plaque that has formed. This happens because the animal consumes liquid food all the time. Plaque accumulates on the teeth, which must be removed by gnawing on something hard.
Attention! To avoid cable biting as an adult, it is necessary to alternate liquid meals with dry food to remove plaque.
Lack of useful microelements and vitamins
If an animal lives on the street, then it itself compensates for the lack of vitamins in the body by eating grass and other necessary plants. But things are more complicated with pets. They receive all the necessary vitamins and microelements exclusively from special food, but their lack can provoke gnawing on wires and eating flowerpots, because the animal tries to make up for their deficiency.
Few toys
Most owners, when kittens appear in the house, do not spend money on purchasing special toys, because you can easily and quickly make them yourself, for example, tie a small piece of paper to a rope, or take a ribbon and tie it to something so that the animal can play. As a result, over time, the animal begins to grab wires, which will look like ropes, ribbons, temptingly hanging from tables, windows and other places. To avoid this in the future, you should buy toys specifically designed for cats.
Why do cats chew wires?
In your absence, cats are left to their own devices, and if a moment in education is missed, your beloved pet will not refuse to play pranks. Overturned flower vases, holes in curtains from cat claws, broken dishes, scratched furniture. However, all these pranks cannot compare with cats' unsafe habit of chewing wires. To wean a kitten from this unsafe activity, you need to know the reasons for this behavior.
Indeed, many cats show an unhealthy interest in wires. They are attracted to computer, audio, telephone cords, and phone chargers.
This behavior of a pet can be caused by various factors and reasons, including:
- banal curiosity;
- attracting the attention of the owners;
- problems with teeth and gums;
- hypovitaminosis, deficiency of minerals and vitamins in the pet’s body;
- lack of toys, active leisure.
What to do with kittens
Kittens are the most curious, because they are just beginning to learn about the world around them. Therefore, like small children, they are interested in touching and tasting unfamiliar objects. Under no circumstances should you beat or punish a kitten, because it may not understand what it is doing wrong.
It is important to be patient and try to wean your pet from a bad habit in humane ways:
- Provide the kitten with enough toys.
- If possible, insulate and hide cables located on the floor.
- Store cables, chargers, headphones, etc. in a place inaccessible to the kitten.
- Feed your pet a balanced mixture and periodically give vitamins.
- Spend more time communicating with the animal.
- Maintain the hygiene of your pet's teeth.
Several ways to fix the problem
Before you decide what to do if your cat is chewing on wires, you need to determine the exact reason for this behavior. We have listed all the possible factors that provoke a kitten to such actions. Now let's look at several effective ways to wean your pet from such dangerous and thoughtless games with wires.
Shorten or hide the wires
The best solution is to remove wires and cables from free access. If there is no possibility of moving it to a hidden place, use special accessories to “hide” the wires from tailed family members.
Specialized stores sell various boxes and corrugated tubes that allow you to protect your living space from the rash actions of children and animals.
We use sprays
Veterinary pharmacies and pet stores sell special sprays that have a special smell that repels cats. These compounds can be used to treat not only wires, but also other places where a small predator likes to “spoil.”
Anti-rodent sprays do not have a pungent odor that is unpleasant to humans. As a rule, the main aroma of such products is citrus. Cats cannot stand the smell of lemons and oranges, so if a special spray is not available, you can use fresh juice or the peel of these fruits.
Loud sounds
Don't know how to stop a kitten from chewing wires? Try raising a little mischief maker using a loud tone for the “no” command. Teach the rules of the ban from an early age, which will allow you to raise an obedient cat with good manners.
To quickly scare the kitten away from the wires, you can use loud sounds, for example, clapping your hands. Experts also suggest using balloons.
If you hang it on a cable that is especially attractive to the animal, you can quickly wean the kitten from playing with a dangerous cord. During the game, the ball may explode, which will scare the little mischief-maker. As a rule, attempts to get closer to an interesting product after such an incident are not repeated.
We use improvised means
The cat chews wires for the first time, what should I do? We use everything we have at hand to scare away! For example, a baby rattle or a bell for a sound effect.
Water distracts cats' attention very quickly. You can direct a stream of refreshing liquid at the playful prankster using a spray bottle or a children's water pistol. But, be careful not to allow water to come into contact with electrical wires and sockets!
What to do if your cat chews on wires in your absence? In this case, you need to treat the surface of the cable using a spray or improvised means. A good repelling effect is observed when lubricating the wires with cinnamon, citrus fruits, ammonia, vinegar or cologne.
Any of the above methods will help solve the problem quickly. To choose the right weaning method, try to find out the main reason why your cat chews wires.
And, most importantly, never use physical force in raising your tailed friend, even if he often breaks the rules of behavior in your home!
Third method: aloe
Rub the wires themselves with aloe juice, it is very bitter. A reaction in the form of drooling is possible. Cruel but effective. Then you can rinse his mouth with water. Cruelty as opposed to the death of a pet, in this case, is justified.
If you grow aloe at home, try rubbing the juice of this plant on the wires. It is very bitter and after trying it just once, your pet will not like it in the near future. The method is very harsh, but effective and in any case better than the death of a pet.
Aloe juice
Important!!! If, after trying to gnaw on wires lubricated with aloe, the cat begins to drool temporarily and profusely, this is quite normal. You can rinse your mouth with water and everything will go away.
Possible consequences of playing with wires
How to stop a kitten from biting: reasons for this behavior
We figured out how to protect electrical wires from the cat. But what to do to avoid negative consequences? In some cases, this fun leads to the inevitable death of a pet. Therefore, to keep your animal safe, you need to follow some tips:
- In places where the wire is accessible to the animal, it is sometimes necessary to check its integrity.
- If the wire is not insulated, it should not be left in the room with the animal even for a minute.
- If the house is undergoing renovations, the animal must be moved to another place during this time.
Consequences of playing with cables
But if the pet could not be saved and it was electrocuted, then the following precautions must be observed:
- You cannot handle an animal without gloves;
- Don’t panic, but react quickly; every second can cost your pet’s life.
Worth remembering! The owner's quick reaction will help save the animal's life, so the main thing is not to panic.
Methods for adult cats
In order to wean an adult cat from chewing wires, you can resort to the following simple and at the same time effective methods:
- Hide all cables within the animal's field of vision.
- Exposure to odor. Cats have a sensitive sense of smell, and some scents are repellent to them. The wires can be smeared with lavender or citrus oil. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have any essential oils at home - you need to scatter orange or lemon peels next to the cable, this will give the same effect.
- The use of specialized protective equipment - animal repellent sprays, for example, Anti-Gryzin. They are sold in pet stores.
- Impact of taste. Cats don't like bitterness. Therefore, you can discourage the animal from the wires by coating them, for example, with aloe juice.
- Exposure to sound. Cats quickly develop reflexes. In order to discourage your pet from chewing wires, you can scare him every time by creating a sharp sound. This could be clapping your hands, hitting the table, or loudly pronouncing your pet's name. Cats cannot stand noise, so gradually the process of gnawing will become associated with an unpleasant bang, and the desire to commit this act again will pass.
- It is important to monitor your cat’s diet and avoid vitamin deficiencies. Sometimes it is useful to pamper your pet with special treats with a high content of substances necessary for health.
- Prevent the occurrence of oral diseases. To do this, in addition to brushing your teeth, you can use specialized devices to get rid of plaque and massage the gums - sticks or chewing tablets.
- Provide the animal with entertaining toys.
- Regular communication with your pet will help him not to feel left out. This prevents the person's attention from being forcefully attracted.
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How to stop a cat from chewing wires once and for all?
Many domestic cats engage in entertaining games with electrical wires, which is very alarming to caring owners who are worried about the consequences. In our article today we will talk about the reasons for this behavior and answer the main question - how to stop a cat from chewing wires. It should be noted right away that interest in cables and wiring mainly manifests itself in small pets. Adult cats are less active, so playing with such products is observed in extremely rare cases.
So, if your furry friend has started chewing the wires in the house, our article will help solve this problem as quickly as possible. First, let's look at the main reasons why cats chew electrical wires.
Veterinary sprays (anti-rodents)
Treat the wires with anti-gnawing agent. Use any repellent veterinary sprays. There is a special spray with a citrus scent (the cat family hates everything related to citrus), it is used to prevent the cat from tearing the wallpaper, you can try spraying it on the wires. An alternative to this spray is to rub it with a lemon peel.
- Approximately how many minutes a day do you play with your cat, what games?
- What is the composition and feeding regimen?
- Does who sits at the computer affect the fact that a cat approaches the wires? Or does the cat chew them when no one is at the computer?
- How long ago did the problem start, was the cat interested in other wires, or was he gnawing on something else that wasn’t supposed to be there?
By answering these questions, you will be able to draw appropriate conclusions that will help in solving the problem.
You may ask, why should I answer these questions? I will explain.
Maybe your pet lacks communication with you, your games are short-lived, your communication is minimal, but he is lonely, cold and wants the attention of his owner, wants games and entertainment. For example, my cat, without asking for my attention, demonstratively does his business in the living room, he doesn’t hide it, he is mischievous, thereby showing that he is dissatisfied. Try increasing the amount of time you spend playing games together. Just don’t overdo it, you need to chase the cat in moderation, if after playing the cat falls and lies on its skin, this is not normal! Often life takes its toll, and we are all terribly busy, no one will solve our problems, but try to play with every free minute and caress the one who is trying to attract your attention.
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Perhaps the food you feed your pet is not quite suitable for him in composition, some elements are missing, and he is looking for them in not very good places - in the wires. Change your diet. It would be ideal to switch to more expensive feed manufacturers, but if this is not possible, then just change it radically.
The most effective solution to stop a cat from chewing wires is to treat them with special veterinary sprays, which can be purchased at any veterinary pharmacy. They have a citrus smell that cats really dislike. Sprays are used not only on wires, but also on wallpaper, chairs, carpets and anywhere where your pet might get into mischief.
The cat chewed the wires - what to do?
If the cat does chew the wires, there is no need to shout or swear at it. Any punishment will lead to the fact that the pet will be offended and begin to harm out of spite. If a furry bully is caught chewing on cables, you can clap your hands or make some loud noises to scare the animal away.
The sooner you stop your cat from accessing the wires, the better it will be for everyone.
Then you need to check the integrity of all wires. It must be remembered that a damaged cable can cause a fire, and therefore it is better to repair it immediately. After checking, you need to remove all wires that your cat might chew from within reach to avoid further damage.
To prevent a similar situation from happening again, it is necessary to analyze the pet’s behavior. To do this, you can answer a number of questions:
- How long ago did this start?
- Did the purr's diet change during the period when he began to show interest in cords?
- Is there enough time for your pet? Do his owners often play with him?
- Does your cat have toys to which she can turn her attention?
Weaning off wires can take quite a long time and the older the animal, the longer it will take for him to wean off the habit. Therefore, owners of inquisitive cats need to be patient and try to identify the root cause of their pet’s behavior.
Re-educating a cat will take months, so you should be patient.
If the cat shows interest not only in the wires, but also itches on toothbrushes and combs, then it needs to be shown to the veterinarian. Most likely, she simply has problems with her teeth, which is why she tries to scratch her gums. The veterinarian will be able to examine the purr, clean the teeth, and also determine whether the animal is eating a sufficiently balanced diet.
If the cat chews everything that is allowed and what is not allowed, then you need to think about going to the cat dentist
Note! When selecting food, you should try to give preference to those formulations that contain iron and taurine - a deficiency of these substances often causes increased interest in cables.
Minimize the length of available wires.
Check your home for any dangerous wires for your cat. Every electrical device has the potential to pose a hazard if a cat is able to jump on or approach it.
Particular attention should be paid to cords from household appliances and computers in places that are inaccessible to humans, but accessible to cats.
(for example, behind heavy objects such as refrigerators and cabinets), as well as on wires used temporarily (for example, from Christmas tree lights, heaters, etc.) and electrical outlets.
Try to keep the unprotected cable length as short as possible. The most vulnerable parts of the wire are the attachment points
to the plug and the appliance itself, as these are particularly difficult to protect. Check them regularly.
If the distance from a household appliance such as a refrigerator or washing machine to a wall with an electrical outlet is wide enough for a cat to climb into, you need to take precautions to protect the associated electrical cords and outlets. Wires of unused electrical appliances must be removed from sockets.
Wires of unused electrical appliances must be removed from sockets.
, and when they are working, make sure that the cat cannot get close to them. You shouldn’t leave unused appliances in accessible places if they can be carefully collected and hidden - they will not only remain clean, but also not chewed on.
What not to do
You need to stop your kitten from playing with wires as early as possible in order to stop this habit in the bud. But under no circumstances should this be done using the following methods :
- hit the kitten;
- yell at him a lot;
- punish without giving food;
- to be locked in a room for a long time, as a form of reprimand.
Unfortunately, cats are not intelligent enough to understand why they are being punished. Such actions will only lead to mental disorder in the kitten. Against the backdrop of fear, he may begin to shit in inappropriate places or behave inappropriately.
It is worth understanding that your pet chews electrical wires not with the intention of causing harm, but is simply trying to satisfy its problem.
