How can I cat-proof my electrical wiring?
My new kitten is fairly interested in the wires behind my TV and connected to my computer (these are all connected to the same surge protector.) I am very concerned about this. I planned on getting a little squirt gun for potential problems, but I can't squirt her when she is getting into the wires, for obvious reasons.
Please help me, I don't want to come home from work to find a zapped kitty! I will unplug these when I leave the house, until I hear back from you.
Answer: First a question: Is your kitten teething? Their tender gums hurt when new teeth are coming in and they will find all sorts of interesting things to chew and bite on, some of which may be very harmful. One of the best "teethers" for teething kittens are the large plastic drinking straws - the kind you find in fast food places for milkshakes. You can either trail a straw across the floor for the kitten to chase and "capture," or tie the straw into a knot and toss it to the kitten. Plastic straws offer lots of crunchy biting resistance, and make excellent kitten teething rings.
Indeed, kittens and electrical wiring are a bad mix, and every effort should be made to keep both kittens and cats away from electrical wiring and computer cords, for their safety.It is important to deter cats of any age from sources of danger at all times...learn more
Comments
Dollarama dollar stores in Canada sell the plastic tubing in a kit already designed to go over cords. It costs $1 and is more than worth it. It is called “Cable Tidy Kit”, made by “The Wire Solution” and says on the box “as seen on TV”.
My cat Walt was electrocuted back in 2004. What made it especially painful and ironic was the fact that I was/am a certified electrician. Since then I’ve coated all of my electrical wires with tobasco sauce to keep all of my loved ones from even thinking of chewing the wires. My new cat Walt II actually likes the flavor so I’ve also added salt spray.
Stuart, Walt II sounds like a red badger!
I have a cat who chewed on any wire he came across when he was a kitten. So I brushed Joy dish washing detergent onto all of the wires in my home and he never chewed them again - but it has to be Joy as it has lemon in it and cats do not like citrus products.