If you think puppies are the only ones who let their teeth lead the way, think again. Our feline friends’ sharp teeth are also capable of inflicting damage around the house.
“Cats are not known to chew as frequently as dogs. However, it does happen,” says certified feline behaviourist Molly DeVoss.
Sometimes your mouthy kitty’s target is an unusual one: cords and wires. The reasons your cat or kitten will chew on wires and cords range from health problems like sore gums to behavioural patterns like frequent attention-seeking. It can even be just plain curiosity.
For cat parents with cord-chomping kitties, we review solutions for the most common culprits, plus how to cat-proof cables and keep kittens out of danger.
How To Stop Boredom Cord Chewing
Because cats are so intelligent and independent, they’re often mistakenly considered ‘low maintenance’ pets, especially by first-time cat parents. The reality is cats have many emotional and physical needs. And if they aren’t met, you can expect boredom, frustration, and anxiety. That’s when cats engage in problematic and destructive behaviours like peeing outside of the litter box, ankle-biting, and chewing wires and cords.
Here’s how to stop a cat who’s chewing on cords out of boredom or frustration:
- Add more enrichment. Provide opportunities for your cat to express their natural behaviours. That means climbing, scratching, exploring, foraging, and hunting. Cat-friendly plants like cat grass, cardboard scratchers, food puzzles, and motion-activated toys enrich your kitty’s life, especially if they’re indoor-only.
- Aim for daily prey play. To keep your cat from taking their frustration out on cords, DeVoss recommends two 10-minute sessions of daily prey play with wand toys.
- Exercise your cat. Channel high-energy cats to safer outlets. If they’re indoor-only, that might mean getting them a cat exercise wheel to run on or setting up a kitty agility course around your house. Or, consider taking them for walks on a lead and harness. Outings in a cat-safe backpack can also offer stimulation for indoor cats.
How To Stop Playful Cord Chewing
Stringy objects are often irresistible to cats because they move in usual ways that trigger your cat’s prey drive. Cords can be extra interesting because they have a different taste and texture than other materials. Plus, they’re just plain fun to bite, swat, and tug on.
Dr Preston Turano, DVM and veterinary advisor to Felix Cat Insurance, explains that a dangling cord is a danger. “Do not leave computer or cell phone charging cords dangling from the table or counters. These are very attractive toys to cats and kittens.”
Here’s what you can do to keep a playful cat from chewing cords:
- Remove access to floor cords and extensions. Try taping up cords in an out-of-sight position, like to the bottom of a desk. If that’s not possible, cat-proof cables and wires by bundling them in hard plastic cord management covers.
- Provide cat-friendly toys. Redirect cord-obsessed cats to string toys. Good options are wand toys with fabric, ribbons, and feathers attached. Just make sure you don’t leave these toys out when your cat isn’t supervised, since they pose a choking hazard.
Vitalii Bezverkhii via iStock
How To Stop Attention-Seeking Cord Chewing
Sometimes cord chewing stems from the simplest, most obvious reason: your cat is demanding your attention. To figure out if your cat’s cord chewing is an attention-seeking behaviour, see what they do when you’re not watching. DeVoss recommends putting a pet camera on the problem area. If your cat ignores cords when you’re not home, you’ve got your answer!
Here’s how to stop a cat from chewing cords for attention:
- Be mindful of how you respond to your cat’s behaviour. DeVoss says making eye contact, verbally responding, and touching or picking up your cat means your cat successfully got your attention. You’re unintentionally reinforcing their behaviour.
- Apply a deterrent. Try wrapping your cords with aluminum foil or using cord bundle covers to keep them away and limit their access.
- Give them an alternative. Offer them catnip stuffed plush toys, durable plastic cat chew toys, and hard and crunchy silvervine sticks.
How To Keep a Kitten from Chewing Cords
Kittens are more likely to chew on cords and wires than adult cats as part of their exploratory phase. DeVoss says the key is not to reinforce a curious kitten’s boundary-testing behaviour. For example, a kitten might learn that chewing on cords gets you to come ‘play’, even if that’s you running over shouting at them to stop. That develops into a learned behaviour that leads to more cord chewing.
Here’s how to deal with a kitten who’s chewing cords:
- Keep your emotions in check. Even though a cord-chewing kitten can be frustrating, remind yourself that they’re a baby. One of the ways they learn about the world around them is through mouth-first explorations.
- Give them safe alternatives. Since this is behaviour is rooted in discovery, play, and sometimes teething, redirect them to a kitten-safe alternative. Cat chew toys let them gnaw to their furry little heart’s content without the risk of electrical shock.
When Cord Chewing Means a Health Problem
Cats and kittens are notorious for masking their pain. If they’re unwell, it’s likely to manifest in behaviours that sometimes seem random, like chewing on cords or wires. Some health problems and illnesses that might lead to wire chewing include mouth soreness from ulcers, abscesses, gum inflammation (gingivitis), fractured teeth, or dental disease.
Nutrition imbalances can also play a role. So can pica, a disordered eating condition where cats are compelled to chew, and sometimes consume non-food items.
If your cat’s interest in cords is new or sudden, a health problem might be the culprit. Here’s what to do:
- Get a diagnosis from your vet. Going to your regular vet is the best way to get to the root of the problem—and prevent a serious injury or accident.
- Secure cords. In the meantime, secure all cords and keep your cat closely supervised.
Valery Kudryavtsev via iStock
Signs Your Cat May Have Chewed on a Cord & What to Do
Sometimes you’re able to catch your cat in the act of chewing wires or see visible bite marks on cords. However, if those signs your cat is chewing on cords aren’t present, there are some behavioural and health indications to look out for.
Dr Turano says symptoms that your cat is chewing on electrical wires include:
- a decreased appetite (from oral burns)
- bad breath (from oral wounds)
- bleeding from the mouth
- mouth ulcers
- trouble breathing
- fluid in lungs (pulmonary oedema) after electrical shock
- lethargy
- loss of consciousness
If your cat is chewing on a cord, Dr Turano says first you need to unplug the object.
If you find your cat unconscious or visibly injured next to a cord or wire, unplug the cord or turn off the power before touching your cat. If you’re not able to unplug or shut off the power to break the contact between your cat and the live electric current, use a dry wooden broomstick or non-conductive material, like a plastic broomstick, to move your cat away from the wire before handling them.
Next, immediately contact your vet. Electrical shock is considered an emergency and can lead to minor burns in mild causes to pulmonary oedema, or even death in severe ones.
Even if you’re not sure your cat has actually been electrocuted and they’re not showing any of the above signs, they need urgent veterinary treatment.
Dr Turano says if a cat’s been suspected of chewing on electrical wires or cords, they need to be observed for hours after the possible electrocution to monitor them for evidence of fluid in their lungs (pulmonary oedema) or an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias).
Treatment depends on the severity of the electrical shock and ranges from burn or wound management to urgent life support.
