How can I stop my cat from chewing on exposed cords?

Question

I have this cat Oscar.  He is a male that is 2 1/2 years old.  He has been declawed (by the person that had him before me) and fixed.  We have had him for about 4 months and all of the sudden last month he started chewing on our phone charger cords, our computer cords, any exposed cords.  I cant hide them all and I cant just lock him away from them since the computer is in the living room.  I assume he is not getting shocked or maybe he is and he likes it, I dunno.  But either way he has cost us almost 300 in cords.  I cannot get rid of him, that is not an option.   I cannot hide the cords or keep him put of the room whrere the cords are, so please dont suggest that.  Anybody who may know of a trick to get him to stop chewing on these things.  He also chews on some other things, but those are no big deal.  He ate every one of the corners off of my diaper bag, that could have been due to the smell of the milk. Any suggestions apperciated.

Julie6962 · Accepted Answer

Aaarrggh! I totally know what you mean! 

One of mine chewed through my computer keyboard cord, 2 cell phone rechargers cords, my Swiffer Vac recharger, one of my computer's speaker cords (so now I only have 1) and numerous other things.

I got a product called Bitter Apple from the pet store. I found it in the dog section. It comes in a spray or a gel. I got the gel and rubbed it on all my cords. He tried to chew my cell phone cord (again!) and got a bit of a surprise- a yucky taste in his mouth that made him change his mind about eating yet another cell phone cord!

? · Answer

Take A Water Bottle And Spray Water At Them. Cats Dont Like Water.

Louise C · Answer

He may have a thing about plastic.  i had a cat years ago who was mad about plastic.  She would chew on anything plastic, didn't matter what it was, cords, plastic bags, she would just sit there ecstatically chewing on them and purring happily to herself.  She never actually bit through a cord though. 

maybe you could cover the cords with something?  or put something on them that he doesn't like the taste of, that might discourage him?

Anonymous · Answer

What you could try to do is coat the cords with pepper sauce so when he goes to bite at it he will taste how bad it is and he will decide to not eat it anymore. It tried for my cat, he was eating my entertainment center. Also, my dogs were eating plants and this worked.

olympics junkie · Answer

Some people have had good luck running the necessary wires thru the cardboard tubes from paper towel rolls.  Just tape together at the joints.  It isn't the most decorative solution, but it is cheap & functional...

squirrelman9014 · Answer

this is a pretty general animal deterent...

take a small spray bottle and fill with half water, half tobasco sauce...spray the mixture on the cords and he should leave them alone...

this works well on outdoor plants to deter pesky deer as well

Nick · Answer

put something on the cords that taste bad.

Lain · Answer

Pick your cords up out of his reach.

Kaitee · Answer

Any time he starts doing that, tell him no and give him something to distract him, like a toy mouse with catnip.

sierra_91_2000 · Answer

Squirt him a couple of time w/ a water bottle....only spray him when he is actually being caught in the act.

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How can I stop my cat from chewing on exposed cords?

11 Answers