My female is a Maine Coon, although not a pure bred. She has a wonderful friendly temperment. However she can be very stubborn in her behavior. She is 3 years old and still will chew on electical or telephone cords if given the chance. There isn't any problems with her teeth. When she was younger she also liked to chew fabric but seems to have gotten over that habit. Any ideas why she would chew on the electrical cords? Has anyone else had this same problem? How did you deal with it? Luckily so far no electical shock.This is my first attempt at a forum. Thanks

-- Anonymous, May 27, 1999

Answers

All our MCs seem to like to chew on wires so all accessible wires in our house are covered with either a heavyweight plastic tubing (available cheaply at any hardware store....just split the tubing lengthwise and slip your wires inside it), or with the kind of larger tubing which people use to keep several computer cables neatly together (available at places like Ikea). Some people coat their wiring with stuff like Tabasco sauce and bitter apple (think it is called bitter apple.....pet stores have it). It is very dangerous NOT to cover your wires if your cats are inclined to chew it. I am afraid it is just a matter of time before they kill themselves when they make a connection between two uncovered wires. Good luck.

-- Anonymous, May 28, 1999

I also have had cats in the past that chew on wires. I have found that there is a product called Nail Bite works wonders. You can pick it up at any drug store or store that sells nail polish. It is very bitter to taste but is not harmful to animals. I just painted it on all the cords that the cats chewed on and within about a week or so they found other ways to entertain themselves.

GOOD LUCK

-- Anonymous, May 29, 1999

Somehow I & my spouse have always had Maine Coons who liked to chew, and it was always metallic and plastic objects. One Maine Coon munched silver jewelry (and got rehomed after destroying a Tibetan fish pendant). Another enjoyed all kinds of small metal objects---scissors, wires, even a rusty hammer???? Go figure. Our latest, we find, has quietly disconnected several stereo speakers by chewing through the wires. We have since applied bitter apple to many wires, and keep jewelry out of her way. She also likes to nibble our hands.

-- Anonymous, May 30, 1999

I would strongly recommend either protecting the cords with some larger plastic tubing, or trying the bitter apple. I had some kitten buyers lose their 2-year-old to an electric cord he chewed on while they were away from work... very sad, and they were heartbroken.

-- Anonymous, June 03, 1999