How to Prevent Pets From Chewing on Electrical Cords

Chewing on electrical cords can burn or shock your pet, causing respiratory problems, cardiac arrest and even death. His sharp teeth and inquisitive nature can put him at high risk.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bitter Apple Sprays
• Clear Contact Paper
• Dog Toys
• Masking Tape
• Scat Mats
• Masking Tape
• Hot Pepper Sauces
• Lemon Juices
• Menthols
• Mouthwash
• Toothpaste
• Toothpaste
• Cat Toys
• Flexible Safety Cables

1. Tape cords to the wall with electrical tape to help prevent your pet from gaining access to them.

2. Stow excess lengths of cord behind furniture or appliances, hidden from your pet's view. Cats are attracted to dangling cords and may think they are toys.

3. Block access to visible cords by wrapping flexible safety cable (available at hardware stores) around them.

4. Place contact paper, sticky side up, in the general area of electrical cords to discourage your pet from approaching them.

5. Apply unpleasant-tasting substances to exposed cords. These could include bitter apple spray, hot-pepper sauce, menthol, toothpaste, mouthwash or lemon juice. Experiment with different flavors, since pets' taste aversions vary.

6. Have favorite toys available to distract your pet from the cords, and rotate toys every few days to prevent boredom.

7. Keep your pet out of any room with exposed electrical cords until your furry friend loses interest in chewing on them.

Tips & Warnings

• Electrical-cord injuries are most common in puppies and kittens, especially when they are first adopted, so be extra vigilant with the young ones when you bring them home for the first time.

on 7/2/2006 I discovered that my cats absolutely despise the smell of Vick's VapoRub. I used some on some electrical cords and it worked like a charm. The only drawback was that it eventually evaporated and I needed to re-apply.

on 11/22/2005 I've found that rubbing the cords with bar soap cured the problem. Moisten the soap, it may make application easier. The soap will last longer than the Bitter Apple sprays and was more effective than hot sauce (even habanero). This worked so well that I note a reluctance to even reach for untreated cords, like a mouse or keyboard cord, where the same cat consistently would bite these before.

on 11/22/2005 I found that the Crittercord works well for preventing pet chewing. It's a cord cover with a deterrent infused in it. It worked for me with my girlfriend's cat, the same cat that use to chew all my stereo cords.

on 12/22/2005 I've found that rubbing clove oil onto the cord and wires with a cotton ball works the best.

on 11/22/2005 If power cords must be exposed to reach electrical outlets, use thick extension cords that pets cannot chew through. This works for cats, but depends on the size of the dog.