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How to safely stop my kitten from chewing on electrical cords?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Mediumhair | Female | unspayed | 2 months and 24 days old | 8.2 lbs

One of my kittens chewed my phone charger cord. Had to buy replacement cord. How do we curb this habit? Thanks

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on November 16th, 2016

Great question! Kittens unfortunately like to chew cords, which isn't safe for them or good for you when you have to buy replacements. One way to stop Ginny from doing this is to cover the cords in pre-split hollow tubing. You can get this from computer stores or home improvement stores. Hide the cords under furniture, and keep them as short as possible. You can use cable ties to make them short. You can use a cat deterrent spray on them, but do not use a lot of it. Give her more toys to chew on, which will distract her from the cords and allow her to safely chew on something. Finally, if you notice her about to start chewing on a cord, distract her by playing with her.

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on April 18th, 2017
That is naughty of Lambchop! This is a common problem in cats, and as I'm sure you are aware, it's not safe for him to chew on cords and cables. I would wrap the cords and cables in rubber covers that can be purchased at most stores that sell electrical or home repair supplies. You can also put them in PCV tubing. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on March 25th, 2017
Great question! It's a safety issue when they chew on the cords, and it is important to get them to stop. You can wrap the cords in rubber covers, which you can get from stores that sell home repair supplies such as Home Depot or Lowes. You can also cover them with PCV tubing, which you can also get from those stores I mentioned above. Increase your daily play with your cat, as that can help tire her out mentally and physically.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jeffrey Milner
Veterinarian
Published on November 7th, 2017
It sounds like you are doing all you can already. The addition of toys and smells that cats detest are definitely the way to go. You didn't say how old your kitty is. If it is still just a kitten, this very well may be a behavior that passes with age. Kittens are notoriously mischevious with cables and the like. If you are only option is confinement away from those areas, than continue to do that for the time being. You can also consider trying to leash train your kitty, so that you can keep the cat on a lead when it is in an area that has these types of obstacles. Cats are very receptive to clicker training and positive reinforcement just like dogs. This would be the best place to start I believe. I hope this helps.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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