Electrical Cords

Apologies if this isn't the right forum to post this in. Over the past couple of days, my 14 week old kitten has started nibbling and batting at electrical cords. Although I definitely don't want my cords ruined, my main concern is that he might hurt himself, particularly electrocution. I wrap up the cords when I'm out of the house, so I'm not too worried he might strangle himself. When I catch him chewing or batting the cords I usually try to distract him with a toy, and if that doesn't work I gently nudge him away or pick him up and put him someplace else, but I'm wondering what the best way is to stop the behavior altogether, as he often returns to the same spot.

Would finding something that tastes bad to him (but is harmless, of course) be effective? For example, I know there is a product to deter chewing in puppies that tastes like bitter apples. If so, does anyone know a flavor that works?

He mainly seems interested in my laptop and phone charger cords, rather than the lamp or desktop computer cords, which are for the most part tucked along the wall. I need my laptop to be easily moved around for work and college, so I can't exactly tape down the cords at any given time. I do try not to let them dangle too much.

He is still being introduced to the rest of the house at the moment rather than just my bedroom (I've only had him about a week), so I'm hopeful that he may have less of an interest in my cords as he has more room to explore. Still, any advice on the situation would be much appreciated - thank you.

The best solution is to purchase thick plastic coverings that your cords can be tucked into. They aren’t very expensive so every hanging cord can be covered and while they are a little bulky they are lightweight so they can move with your devices.

Here is some some sold online for thin cords:

CritterCord Micro Cord Protector

I agree with getting plastic coverings for the cords. They even make ones that are specifically for protecting from pets, and some even are coated in a scented deterrent. For cats the smell/flavor that seems to work best is citrus, but I know there is also bitter apple for cats too. I have one cat that seems to love strong smells that others are repelled by, so you may have to try a few to find the right odor or flavor that your cat doesn't like.

These might not work for your phone/laptop cords, but should work for other electrical cords.
RABALDER Cable organizer - IKEA


And here's an article that might be helpful:
How To Set Healthy Boundaries For Your Cat

What stopped my Aby from chewing on cords as a kitten was getting him a friend so he wouldn't be bored. Not sure if another kitten is an option for you.

Kittens are super curious in general so just do your best to keep cords out of reach and firmly say no when you see your kitten chewing. Many kittens outgrow chewing as they get older. Aquarium tubing is an inexpensive way to protect the cords. Split the tubing lengthwise and tuck the cords inside. Hardware stores sell similar plastic tubing but in various thicknesses and diameters. If the aquarium tubing doesn't hold up to sharp kitten teeth, head to the hardware store for thicker tubing.

I put vick's vapor rub on cords to prevent chewing - even works on labradors, and they like to eat everything

saladflambe said:

I put vick's vapor rub on cords to prevent chewing - even works on labradors, and they like to eat everything

Click to expand...

Vick’s has camphor in it which is toxic to cats so I would definitely not put it on something a kitten might chew.

Huh. Good to know. It was a trick I picked up for dogs, not cats -- a trainer suggested it.

I've not really had to use it much, fortunately. Guess I won't again.

Chewsafe is another plastic cover that works, too. It's available on Amazon, but it's cheaper on this site:

Cable Ties and More

My kitten also went through a chewing phase. I sprayed Grannick's bitter apple spray on all the cords and it worked like a charm.

saladflambe said:

I put vick's vapor rub on cords to prevent chewing - even works on labradors, and they like to eat everything

Click to expand...

One of my cats actually loves the smell of Vick's vapor rub. If we use it we have to make sure to keep him away or use it right before bed (he doesn't come to bed with us) so he can't try to lick it off us.

Thanks for the comments and advice, everyone.

For the short-term I've solved the problem by putting away my cords in drawers when I'm not in my room or not using them, and picking up my kitten when he gets too close to them when I am using them. I think I'll try bitter apple or other citrus flavors on them first, and if that doesn't work I will definitely try the cord protectors.

Casper often chews on his Girl-Human's computer cord when he doesn't think she's giving him enough attention.

Usually, all it takes is a pat on the head and some fussing to get him to stop. He just wants some reassurance that his human loves him. Occasionally, when he's full of pi$$ and vinegar, he'll be harder to appease but it only takes a few extra minutes of attention and play to satisfy him.

Cats do understand that the cord they are chewing on is connected to that little box sitting on the table and that their human is paying more attention to the little box than they are the cat. It's their way of saying, "Me too!"... Just like a three-year-old kid would do.

Simply put, consider that your cat is acting like a little kid.

If you can, encourage the cat to sit on the desk beside you as you work or, maybe, pull up a chair for them to sit at a similar height as you are. You should, occasionally, give them a pat on the head or tussle with them for a bit. That will let them know that you aren't ignoring them. After a while, the cat will learn that he can sit there and "supervise" while you work.

A friend of mine is a full-time computer programmer and he does most of his work in his home office. He also has three cats. One of them likes to sit on a chair, beside him, to the right. The second likes to sit on the window sill, a few feet to the left and the third one hangs out on the desk, behind the computer screen.

When I go to visit my friend I'll often find him sitting at his computer with three cats supervising his work.

If you are consistent with training... I'm not sure whether it's the human training the cat or it's the cat training the human... but it's training, none the less...
Anyhow, you should, eventually, be able to encourage the cat to take up a "supervisory" position instead of pestering you for attention.

In the mean time, you can use the old trick my father taught me for keeping puppies from chewing on things that they shouldn't... Tabasco Sauce!

Just wipe a little dollop of Tabasco Sauce onto the cords that your cat is chewing and, the next time he tries it will probably be his last.

A cat's sense of taste and smell is about 20 times more sensitive than a human's. In fact, just the smell of the stuff might keep him away! Cats DO NOT like Tabasco! Not one bit!

We used to have one dog, a Black Labrador, that actually LIKED Tabasco so much that he'd lick it up by the spoonful! Go figure!

However, I've never seen a cat that would get within ten feet of a bottle of Tabasco Sauce if he had his druthers.

rubysmama said:

These might not work for your phone/laptop cords, but should work for other electrical cords.
RABALDER Cable organizer - IKEA
View attachment 237768

And here's an article that might be helpful:
How To Set Healthy Boundaries For Your Cat

Click to expand...

These work like a charm! And they're great for organizing lots of cables too.