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How To Stop Your Cat From Chewing Electrical Cords

If your cat is chewing on electrical cables, you should take urgent action. This activity may be the result of an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or other environmental or health-related variables, such as stress or a tooth problem. Regardless of the reason, it is harmful for cats to chew on electrical cables, not to mention that this can damage your electrical equipment and cords. Fortunately for you and your cat, you may prevent your cat from chewing on electrical lines by providing alternate chewing toys or by addressing the underlying problems.

In this post, BestForPets (bestforpets.org) found the solution. How to Stop Your Cat From Chewing Electrical Cords

Motives for Chewing

There is considerable mystery around why cats like to gnaw on electrical cables. One idea suggests that the cable mimics another animal’s tail, and that fundamental feline nature causes the cat to attack anything that resembles a tail. However, this argument does not explain why the cat would continue to eat the rope after realizing there is no animal connected. Other possible causes of cord chewing include:

Disorder of Obsessive-Compulsive Compulsiveness

Chewing and gnawing-related obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) are particularly prevalent among Siamese and Burmese cats. These felines may acquire a strong desire to chew, suckle, and occasionally ingest inedible things.

Although cord chewing may be the most noticeable indication of OCD in your cat, you may also see other symptoms. There appears to be no explanation for why certain cats develop a specific mix of OCD symptoms.

  • Self-mutilation, especially of the tail, and obsessive tail chasing are among the earliest signs of OCD.
  • Overgrooming, in which a cat licks and chews its hair so fiercely that it begins to shed in patches, is also prevalent.
  • A disorder characterized by compulsively sucking, licking, or chewing on cloth, known as wool sucking. Multiple hypotheses, including the early separation of a kitten from its mother, have been advanced to explain this behavior. If your cat exhibits Siamese-like tendencies, the chewing might be genetically determined.
  • Feline hyperesthesia may also affect OCD-afflicted cats. A cat with this condition may display skin wrinkling and self-mutilation behavior, among other signs.

Dental Issues

In an effort to alleviate pain in their mouths caused by dental issues, cats may engage in destructive chewing activity. 50 to 90 percent of cats older than four years old suffer from some sort of dental disease, thus it is crucial to treat this proactively with routine veterinarian dental care, such as examinations and cleanings.

Vacuousness or Inactivity

If your cat is an older age, it may have a variety of conditions that cause it to chew. Cats frequently acquire osteoarthritis as they age, which can result in a significant decrease in their activity level. 6 When a cat is unable to roam freely, exercise, investigate, or engage with its environment, boredom and the ensuing stress may force it to seek alternative outlets.

Medical Issues

There may be metabolic disorders, such as hyperthyroidism, that increase a cat’s activity level and drive to chew as it ages. A blood test panel might indicate a treatable cause for the chewing activity.

Pica

Pica is described as the yearning and consumption of nonnutritive items. Paper, dirt, hair ties, and other ordinary home things are examples. While iron deficiency and malnutrition are potential causes of pica in cats, the condition is typically a result of boredom, anxiety, and other underlying behavioral issues.

Stress

Stress can result in a variety of unusual behaviors. In many instances, chewing serves to alleviate anxiety and makes the cat feel emotionally better.

How to Prevent Chewing

If your cat exhibits abnormal chewing behavior, take it to the veterinarian for an examination so that any underlying health or behavioral issues may be identified and treated. In the meanwhile, ensure the safety of your cat.

  • Cover electrical cables with PVC pipe or electrical tape. Anything that may prevent them from appearing to move on their own can be quite useful for preventing your cat from showing any interest in them.
  • Utilize a motion-activated, humane cat repellent. There are several products on the market that may spray a little puff of air, hiss, or produce various noises to deter your cat.
  • Offer the cat alternate chewing materials, such as cardboard or dental treats designed for cats. There are many recognized by the Veterinary Oral Health Council that can aid in tartar prevention and encourage your cat to chew appropriately.
  • Add digestible fiber to your cat’s food, which causes some cats to lessen or cease their chewing behavior. The addition of fresh cat greens, green beans, or lettuce to the cat’s food dish may be effective. Some commercial “hairball formula” diets may also be effective, as they contain more fiber.
  • Reduce stress to decrease the need to chew. Consider using a synthetic feline face pheromone to calm and relax your cat. Otherwise, ensure that the litter box is clean and that your cat has sufficient toys and playing with you to prevent boredom.

Author Image

Dr. Deborah Fletcher

Deborah R. Fletcher, DVM, is a skilled veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience dealing with companion and exotic animals. She has experience caring for a variety of animals, including household cats and dogs, reptiles, birds of prey, and even primates. Dr. Fletcher is a valuable part of the BestForPets team, where she contributes to their aim of providing pets and their owners with the finest possible treatment and services.

Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Deborah Fletcher

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