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Joined: Feb 2005
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BellaOnline Editor Parakeet
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OP
BellaOnline Editor Parakeet
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 981 |
OK, so it was a LONG time ago when our previous kitties were babies. I think I've blocked out many of the bad things they did as kittens!
We have two kittens who like to chew on cords. I bought a spray bottle yesterday and began using it this morning and unfortunately it seems to have NO EFFECT on them at all! They were startled at first, but went right back to chewing on the cord within seconds. A second and third spray seemed to have diminishing marginal returns. (the only phrase I remember from high school economics class!)
We also bought a bottle of "Bitter Yuck" to spray on the cords. One kitten seems to actually LIKE it! She was licking the spray bottle nozzle itself!
So what other methods can I try to keep them from chewing on cords? They are probably just teething and will grow out of it, but I don't want them to get hurt in the meantime. They are about 9-10 weeks old.
Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer!
PS -- They do have toys to chew on and I do redirect them to the toys when they start chewing on the cords. But so far, the cords prove to be irresistable!
Last edited by kimkenney; 09/19/10 11:04 AM.
Kim KenneyBellaOnline Museums EditorMy Museum Ebooks"Seek those who find your road agreeable, your personality and mind stimulating, your philosophy acceptable, and your experiences helpful. Let those who do not, seek their own kind." -Jean-Henri Fabre
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Joined: Jan 2009
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Chipmunk
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Chipmunk
Joined: Jan 2009
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I used a spray bottle too. Some don't advocate it but as soon as mine see me coming with it they stop what they are doing. It gets results, you just have to be persistent. Do the cords lay on the floor so you can put a brick on them so they can't be messed with as easily?
Granny
Thousands of years ago cats were considered Gods
Cats have never forgotten this.
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Shark
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Shark
Joined: Aug 2005
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cord sleeves. use pvc pipe--it is the safest, but you can also buy specially made expandable tubes that look like dryer exhaust hose (or use dryer exhaust hose!) or in a pinch starts saving the empty toilet paper rolls and paper towel rolls and tape together with duct tape. For the part of the cords that go up to the appliances use old socks with the toe cut off and fastened tight with zip ties with the tops cuffed over them. othe things we have tried include rubbing a small amount of Vicks Vapor Rub on the cords--but don't take any chances on anything that might start a fire if it gets hot. If you can't find anything else and need to keep them away immediately just wrap the cords in a towel or sheets and fasten at the ends with tape.
on squirt bottles--some cats don't mind water--you have to make it scarier. make a "shake can"--a few pennies in an empty soda can with the hole taped over. and shake it loudly the same time you squirt. A momma cat would hiss and tap their little noses--you can try that if you are close enough to them when they are misbehaving. Training cats is a 70/30 propostiion---changing your behavior and environment is the 70! LOL
RavynG
Se non potete resistere al calore, allora esca dalla MIA cucina.
LadyLvsNyt
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Joined: Jan 2009
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Chipmunk
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Chipmunk
Joined: Jan 2009
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cord sleeves. use pvc pipe--it is the safest, but you can also buy specially made expandable tubes that look like dryer exhaust hose (or use dryer exhaust hose!) or in a pinch starts saving the empty toilet paper rolls and paper towel rolls and tape together with duct tape. For the part of the cords that go up to the appliances use old socks with the toe cut off and fastened tight with zip ties with the tops cuffed over them. othe things we have tried include rubbing a small amount of Vicks Vapor Rub on the cords--but don't take any chances on anything that might start a fire if it gets hot. If you can't find anything else and need to keep them away immediately just wrap the cords in a towel or sheets and fasten at the ends with tape.
on squirt bottles--some cats don't mind water--you have to make it scarier. make a "shake can"--a few pennies in an empty soda can with the hole taped over. and shake it loudly the same time you squirt. A momma cat would hiss and tap their little noses--you can try that if you are close enough to them when they are misbehaving. Training cats is a 70/30 propostiion---changing your behavior and environment is the 70! LOL
RavynG Great ideas. I'll remember these for the future.
Granny
Thousands of years ago cats were considered Gods
Cats have never forgotten this.
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Joined: Aug 2010
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BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
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BellaOnline Editor Chipmunk
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,583 |
If it's appropriate you could try duct taping the wires to the floor or wall. Also saying NO! loudly then dropping a metal tray.
Hopefully after that you will only have to shout!
Ian - Pagan Editor
"We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves."
"With realization of one's own potential and self-confidence in one's ability, one can build a better world. "
Dalai Lama
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Joined: Aug 2005
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Shark
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Shark
Joined: Aug 2005
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one thing I forgot to mention--if you use homemade sleeves with the toilet paper or paper towel rolls you can slit one side to put them on easily and then tape it shut. I would not recommend using other tubes like Pringle cans because they have a foil lining and it could be dangerous if your cords have a short. but you could even use plastic picnic cups with the bottom cut out if you tape them around the cord and tape them together.
RavynG
Se non potete resistere al calore, allora esca dalla MIA cucina.
LadyLvsNyt
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Joined: Feb 2005
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BellaOnline Editor Parakeet
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OP
BellaOnline Editor Parakeet
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 981 |
The scary noise with the coins seems to be working, although it was just implemented this evening... :-)
One of the kittens is fixated on certain areas of the house and will repeatedly go back to doing the same thing she just got in trouble for doing. The other kitten seems to listen better, although there are some things she does repeatedly too.
I sure hope we're not in over our heads here.
Kim KenneyBellaOnline Museums EditorMy Museum Ebooks"Seek those who find your road agreeable, your personality and mind stimulating, your philosophy acceptable, and your experiences helpful. Let those who do not, seek their own kind." -Jean-Henri Fabre
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