How to Stop Kittens From Chewing on Power Cords

Kittens are naturally playful and extremely curious about their surroundings.

Kittens are naturally playful and curious, but sometimes their playful and curious attitudes can cause them serious harm. According to Karen Sueda, DVM, of the Best Friends Animal Society, cats that chew on power cords may be electrocuted. Kittens generally chew on the cords when they’re bored, ready to play or just curious about what a power cord tastes like. Preventing your kitten from chewing on power cords, with the use of PVC pipes, is important for seeing your kitten grow into a healthy cat.

Things You'll Need

• PVC pipe
• Saw
• Electrical tape
• Store-brand repellent
• Cat toys

Instructions

1. Place the power cords through narrow PVC pipes that will accommodate the plug and cord. The pipes are made of plastic and vinyl and are very durable. Use a saw to cut the appropriate length of PVC pipe needed to enclose the power cord. Allow three to five inches of the power cord to be left open near the plug. This prevents the weight of the PVC pipe from pulling and tearing the plug from the wall socket. You can purchase PVC pipes at hardware stores.

2. Use electrical tape and fasten the exposed length of the power cord below the plug to the wall. Leave enough room to enter and remove the plug from the socket easily.

3. Spray a store-brand repellent, like Bitter Apple Spray, onto the exposed area of the power cord to keep your kitten at bay. Reapply the repellent on a regular basis to ensure success.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase a few cat toys and place them in areas near the power cords to distract your kitten from chewing on the cords.

• Use caution when spraying the repellent onto the exposed power cord. You could damage the power cord plug and outlet by accidentally spraying the substance into the wall socket.

References

• Karen Sueda, DVM Best Friends Animal Society: Pica The Un-Finicky Feline