Cats are perhaps the most popular pets in the modern world. And quite often, people who have started their first furry pet turn to more experienced acquaintances for help: a cat nibbles on wires - what should I do? The habit is really unpleasant. On the one hand, an animal can damage equipment that can be costly to repair. On the other hand, by biting through the shell, the cat can simply receive a fatal electric shock. Therefore, it is important to find a way to wean him from such a habit. But first you need to understand why the cat nibbles wires. There are usually several reasons for this.
Plain boredom
When you left home in the morning, everything was in order, and upon returning in the evening, did you find that the TV, computer or phone did not work due to a broken cable? Apparently, the pet is engaged in this dangerous business at a time when you are not at home. It is highly likely that boredom is the reason that the cat nibbles wires. What to do in such a situation?
In fact, everything is simple. Get some toys for him - they are sold in many stores. Perfectly fit balls and tumblers. It is enough to hurt them a little so that they swing for a long time or run away from the cat. Thanks to this, during your free time from sleep, your pet will have something to do - with such an abundance of toys, he will obviously not be bored and will surely forget about the harmful and dangerous habit.
The kitten's teeth are being cut
If you found a kitten behind such a violation, it is possible that his teeth are just being cut. At this time, it is practically useless to try to change something - the pet will grab any item that is at hand (or, more precisely, a paw) at the moment when another attack of scabies begins. It’s worthwhile to quickly apply the tips listed below to protect your cat’s property, life and health.
Sometimes an adult cat gnaws on wires for the same reason - her gums just itch. Not surprisingly, in the wild, cats eat grass, sometimes roots, gnaw the bones of birds and rodents, grind thin cartilages. Thanks to this, the gums are massaged and not itched. And what does most modern domestic cats see from this? Alas, often nothing. Canned wet food is tender, making it an excellent choice for kittens and old toothless cats. But how to be a mature, strong and healthy animal? After all, the gums continue to itch! Fortunately, the problem is easily solved. Buy several sticks made from offal at the pet store. They are tasty, healthy and quite solid. So the cat will be able to scratch the gums enough, without causing unnecessary problems.
Hunting instinct
Finally, sometimes the question "What to do - the cat nibbles wires" is asked by the owners whose hunting instincts have suddenly awakened. Everyone remembers how much pleasure a kitten runs after a bow on a string. Most cats have a love of such entertainments for life - any small and moving subject is perceived by them as potential prey. Add here the not too hunting instinct typical of the cat, and you will understand what causes the attack on the wires.
Well, how can a pet resist if a wire from the mouse with which the owner works is “jumping” right in front of his nose. However, any other wires that move for any reason can come into play.
If possible, tightly fix the wire so that it does not hang. Well, or switch to wireless technology.
Now you know why cats attack cables and bite them aggressively. Therefore, you can try to understand what to do so that the cat does not gnaw the wires.
Scare away a pet
A fairly simple and reliable way to break his habit is to use ordinary training. Moreover, the conditioned reflex is not tied to positive emotions, as in most dogs, but to negative ones. The most common of these is fear.
So, get an object that makes a sharp sound. An ordinary rubber toy from a children's store is perfect. You can also use a rattle, an empty plastic bottle filled with nuts, small stones or beans.
As soon as the cat begins to do its tricky business, sure that the owner does not notice anything, just use the noise effect - as sharply and unexpectedly as possible. The cat must be scared. And you need to frighten him at the time of the crime, and not when you found his tracks. Otherwise, the pet can hardly connect the crime with punishment and will simply doubt your adequacy and love. In most cases, it’s enough to scare the cat 5-10 times so that it stops biting the cable. Young individuals remember the lesson more easily. But mature animals, which were previously allowed to chew wires, and then banned, assimilate it with great difficulty - will have to be patient.
Some experts recommend using a spray bottle with water. The option is good in other cases, but here it is clearly not applicable. If only because water and electrical appliances are extremely poorly combined. Failure to do so may cause a short circuit and fire. So it is better to refuse this option of education.
Hiding wires
So, the cat nibbles wires. How to deal with it? One of the most reliable ways to solve a problem is to simply hide them. Today there are a large number of special materials that protect thin cables. For example, a special cable car or other plastic products. The wires will be hidden under a strong shell, and the cat, with all desire, will not be able to get to them.
You can launch the cable car on the baseboard, under the ceiling, or even in the middle of the wall, if other options do not fit - thanks to a specially selected color scheme, it will not be too striking.
By the way, it will become more comfortable in the apartment after that - after all, a small cable car attracts much less attention than a bundle of wires stretching in different directions.
Making the wires tasteless
Finally, another way that will suit many cat breeders. Does a pet chew on wires that it was not possible to hide (for example, a wire from a mouse) and manages to overcome even the fear of crashing? So, you need to make sure that he himself does not want to bite them. To do this, just make them ... tasteless.
How to spread wires so that the cat doesn’t bite? Something safe, but unpleasant in taste. For example, an ordinary aloe slice will do. Very bitter, he will forever beat off the desire to gnaw a wire. The main thing is to give the cat a drink after the bite: aloe juice causes severe salivation, therefore, it is necessary to rinse the oral cavity as soon as possible.
Air fresheners with the smell of citrus are also suitable - people like this smell, but cats can’t tolerate it.
Conclusion
This concludes our article. Now, if a cat nibbles on wires, what to do, you know. And at the same time they found out what dangers this bad habit can turn into for a pet.