Do you ever go to plug in your phone or charge your computer, just to find the cord is now useless because your cat chewed the heck out of it? Of course it’s irritating to have to constantly replace your cables — but more importantly, it’s scary knowing your cat is chewing through things that could zap him. The Dodo spoke with Dr. Tom Elston, a cat specialist and owner of T.H.E. Cat Hospital in California, to find out why cats gnaw on wires in the first place, and what you can do to stop this behavior issue. Dodo Shows Pittie Nation The Sweetest Pittie Was Living Under A Jeep For cats, sometimes chewing things is just who they are. “Some cats have an inherent need to chew, although [it’s] typically less intense and less problematic than [with] dogs,” Dr. Elston told The Dodo. But there’s a reason they gravitate toward things like cords and wires. “When they have the desire to chew, cats seem to prefer softer substances as opposed to bones,” Dr. Elston explained. “So, they tend to like chewing plastic bags, cardboard and plastic-coated wires.” According to Dr. Elston, the act of chewing itself isn’t all that bad. But it’s super risky when your cat is chomping on wires. “A serious concern is if they like chewing electrical cords,” Dr. Elston said. “If a cat bites through a power cord and contacts both wires at the same time, it can cause a short circuit which may burn or electrocute your cat.” Yikes! No one wants that. And that’s not even the only danger when your cat's chewing cords. It’s also baaaad news if he swallows any wire. “Chewing and ingesting long pieces of thin wires like headphones can cause dangerous obstruction issues similar to if they swallowed string.” The issue with swallowing something long and thin like yarn or wire is that it can get caught in your cat’s intestinal tract and cause what’s called linear foreign body, a life-threatening surgical emergency. This can cause serious blockage and damage to your cat’s system, and can lead to intestinal bunching (which is exactly what it sounds like, eek). Material like wire could even end up sawing through his intestines! How to tell if your cat swallowed cord or wireIf you didn’t catch your cat in the act of swallowing wire but know they had access to it, you should keep an eye out for things like:
These could be signs of linear foreign body or intestinal blockage, and you should contact your vet RIGHT AWAY. How to prevent cats from chewing through cordsWhen it comes to keeping your cat from chewing through cords, defense is the best offense. “The best prevention is keeping all wires away from your cats by hiding them,” Dr. Elston said. “There are some products available that can group and cover wires.” Try these floor wire covers from Amazon for $10.95 Or these wire protectors from Amazon for $17.99 “If a wire must be exposed, some people try coating the wires with bad tasting substances,” he explained. “However, these seldom deter a cat committed to chewing. So, hiding them is usually the best defense.” We independently pick all the products we recommend because we love them and think you will too. If you buy a product from a link on our site, we may earn a commission.
A dangerous household item cats often chew is electrical cord and wire. As with plastic bags, cats can find the oral sensation of chewing on cords pleasant. Kittens in particular can chew cords as part of their exploratory development. Chewing on cords is a dangerous activity that should be actively prevented as it presents a choking hazard, as well as the possibility of injury and death from electrocution. It also can obviously damage your household electronics and cause electrical fires. What’s so great about chewing cords? Tips to keep your cat from chewing cords.
For some additional resources on cat enrichment ideas, the American Association of Feline Practitioner provides a helpful list. If you need more help, find a professional through the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, the Animal Behavior Society, and the IAABC. Return to, "6 Strange Cat Behaviors Finally Explained" >> If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian -- they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.
Cats are less likely to chew cables compared to dogs, but every precaution should be taken to make sure cats are safe if they do chew. Not only does chewing and biting damage the cords, but it can result in terrible harm to your cat, such as electric shock or choking. Keep in mind, however, that this is typical for teething younger cats, and even the most devoted cord-chewers tend to grow out of it.
This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. This article has been viewed 963,816 times.
Co-authors: 48 Updated: August 30, 2021 Views: 963,816 Article Rating: 77% - 17 votes Categories: Featured Articles | House Training Cats
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 963,816 times.
More reader stories Hide reader stories |