Destructo Cat is destructive

[auntiemeesh]

I'm beginning to suspect that if I want all of my electronics to survive much longer, I might need to start looking for a new apartment. This fills me with sadness and frustration, since I have no desire to move. But Mal just doesn't understand about not scratching the tv, and not chewing on the electrical cords, and space is very limited in my apartment, with no interior doors except the bathroom. Which is where Mal is right now, suffering through a timeout. And boy was he pissed when I put him in there - it's the first time he's really growled at me, but seriously, I'm not letting him destroy all of my stuff.

On the other hand, I can't really afford to move right now, and certainly not able to afford anything significantly bigger than what I've currently got. You know, I love Mal very much and do not regret adopting him, but he does make my life way more complicated than I think is necessary.

Comments

[eve11]

:(

Maybe we could find some kind of door that could be installed (and easily removed, natch) in the doorway b/t the bedroom and the living room?

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

see my email. :)

[whtmtnwmn.livejournal.com]

I know exactly how you feel. Bowie is very lucky he's cute.
=D

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

These pets! They're as much work as children in some ways.

[whtmtnwmn.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but you can't lock a child in a room/crate without risking police action! Ha!

[shirebound]

Is there any way to rub the electrical cords with some substance cats don't like?

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

I've thought of that before and may have to look into it again.

[wishkey.livejournal.com]

How about some of these cord wraps?

And some Bitter Apple or Lime, or something he hates the smell/taste of (Vicks Vaporub?), to discourage him further. Maybe tie a jinglebell on the cords so you hear him start and can correct him sooner.

[b-briarwood.livejournal.com]

Great minds think alike!

I would suggest the bell on the cat instead since he also chews the TV.

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

Thing is, the cords that he's interested in playing with are my laptop adapter, and the cord for the Wii microphone, both of which have to have a certain freedom of movement in order to function properly. That freedom of movement is what attracts him, of course. He pays no attention whatsoever to the cords connecting the tv and Wii to each other and the surge protector because they don't ever wiggle enticingly.

[b-briarwood.livejournal.com]

Have you tried putting tabasco sauce on an old cord and letting him at it? We used to do that with our dogs to stop them from chewing. Granted you can't put it on the TV, but if he gets the association that chewing = pain he might just stop.

My only other suggestion would be crating him when you're not home or unable to watch him. Get one of those big multilevel crates they use in the pet shops. Unfortunately I'm not sure if that would instigate more destruction when he's out.

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

I may have to try the tabasco sauce or something similar.

The problem with the crate is, it's not when I'm away that is the problem. He's only interested in chewing on the wires when I'm using the things they are attached to and my use makes them wiggle enticingly. My current solution is to lock him in the bathroom when he gets too feisty, but sometimes I'm using these things for hours at a time and locking up an energetic young cat like that would just be cruel (also would probably spell disaster when I let him out).

[ani-no-mouse.livejournal.com]

I wish I had some good advice for you. Does Mal have a scratching post or several? Perhaps providing him with additional approved scratching surfaces, and moving him to those surfaces everytime you see him going to the TV screen would help?

I still unplug all electrical cords before leaving the house or the room in which they are located. This does seem to be fairly effective at diminishing G & K's interest in them as chew toys (as well as limiting the risk of kitty electrocution.) Of course they have 2 dogs to chew on should things get too boring.

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

I've been moving him to his scratching pad and encouraging him to use it when he scratches at the tv, but he's not much interested. I have also generously donated my old mattress as a climbing tree for him, which you would think would help the problem, but it doesn't seem to be.

And as far as I can tell, he leaves the cords completely alone during the day when I'm not here. If I'm not using them, the cords don't move about and provide a target for his interest.

[antbee362.livejournal.com]

I was going to suggest the cord covers which, while not taking care of everything, would at least protect the cords. My friend had to put them on everything in her house because of her "delinquents." They took care of her problem with inoperable phones etc.

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

I'll have to look into the cord covers. I'm not sure how well they work with cords that are being moved around, though, the way my laptop and Wii microphone cords are.

[arthurfrdent.livejournal.com]

what you could do is have the single cover per cord, so that you can still swing it around.

or a buggy whip. that would work too.

my mom uses a spray bottle on her cats, but obviously not around electronics. maybe you just need to train them with a nerf gun. so they no that when you are reaching for it, they are about to get shot...

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

Mal's kind of funny. He has learned that if I'm standing up with the guitar (when I'm playing rockband), if he gets between me and the tv, he's gonna get scooted out of the way with my foot. I don't kick him, but I'm not particularly gentle, either, and he's learned his lesson. As soon as I start to move, he takes off. I'm going to have to figure out how to condition him to leave off the cord chewing and tv scratching the rest of the time. Maybe a nerf gun would work. Or possibly, this being Mal, he would think it great fun and only be encouraged. He's slightly crazy that way.

[antbee362.livejournal.com]

I will ask FM about what kind she got and where she got them b/c she has them on the cords from the phone to the receiver at her house and those a fairly movable.

[piplover.livejournal.com]

A water bottle is your best friend. That, and something bitter to spray the chords with. I used to have to wrap my chords in hose and duct tape to keep them safe. But after (quite a few) squirts with the bottle, both my little beasts know better than to chew on the chords or scratch the furniture. Also, since he has a scratching post, you might want to spray it with catnip, or put some catnip on it, so he associates that with a good feeling. Good luck!

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the suggestions. I may end up trying some sort of squirt/nerf gun. :)