Just as with a human baby, you need to properly pet-proof your house when you have an animal living there to keep them and your belongings safe. Cords are an everyday hazard thanks to all of our electronics, and cats and dogs tend to be drawn to the cords and play with or chew on them. How can you prevent them from getting shocked and damaging your cords?
Why do animals chew on them?
To help deter pets from chewing on wires, it helps to understand why they are drawn to them in the first place. The wires can look like tails of prey animals for cats, encouraging them to pounce. Cats and dogs may also chew them out of boredom–especially if they are older and cannot move around as much as they used to; they might turn to chewing and tearing things to expend energy. Tooth pain can lead to an instinct to gnaw on rubbery items like a cord to try and relieve discomfort (similarly to how babies chew on things while teething). If you suspect pain, be sure to bring your pet to the vet for a dental appointment. Anxiety can also lead to cord chewing.
So how do you stop it?
It isn’t possible to eliminate all the cords from your household, but there are ways to prevent your pets from accessing them.
- Make use of cord covers. These are either rubber or plastic casings that cords can be slipped into as protection. They come in many lengths and can easily be cut to fit your space. You can buy cord covers with adhesive strips so that they stick to the floor or the wall and stay out of the way. There are many ways to get creative with them–you can spray paint them with a matte black or bronze color for an industrial look, or go with gold or silver to make them match a light fixture or room’s aesthetic. If you cannot use a cord cover, you can try putting something on the cable that makes it unappealing to chew on–a menthol product like Vicks VapoRub or a bitter spray won’t affect the cable. Still, it should easily deter your pet next time they go to put the cord in their mouth.
- Offer alternatives. In many cases, pets are chewing cords to express a need they have, be it boredom or path or stress. You can offer alternatives that are much safer for them to chew on, such as cardboard, crinkly toys, or rubber toys. When you see them go for the cords, redirect them to a safe toy, and then reward them for switching.
- Try to give them more attention. If you think stress or boredom are the root cause of your pet’s interest in cords, try to give them some more attention throughout the day. By playing with them, you will decrease their energy levels and also help soothe their anxiety through your love and connection.
If you find that your pet has chewed on cords, make sure they are safe, and then carefully check the device or appliance. If you see any damage to the cord like punctured or frayed covering, you will need to replace it to ensure that it remains functional and safe.
Promise Electric provides residential and commercial electrical services to Sarasota residents and businesses.
