I need to scare the crap out of a cat...or something

[Tom_ZeCat]

I'm furious at my cat. I came home to my nice twin desktop computer set up that lets me KVM between my Kubuntu PC and my Windows 7 one to find it not working. When I pressed my KVM button to switch from one to the other, it no longer worked. Turns out the cat chewed through the cable to the switch button. Obviously I need to buy another KVM. However, what if the cat chews through the new one? I've scolded her before for being under my computer table, but it only works temporarily. Is there some kind of trap I could set under there that could sound a loud alarm any time she gets under there? Of course I don't want anything that would injure her. It just needs to detect her presence and sound a loud sound that will scare her so that she learns real consequences for going under the computer table where she's not allowed to be.

As it is she only knows to not go under there if I'm around and then she does what she wants if I'm not there.

God, I'm pissed. This has happened the week after my car was vandalized when some thug tried to steal it. So I get to pay for that ... now this.

Please don't say to shoot the cat.

[Snowhog]

Shield the cable.

[MoonRise]

Have the same issue with electircal cords. I don't know what it is with cats and electrical cords. Anyway, I use bags wrapped around cords with twist ties. For some reason they don't go for that. At least my cat. Other areas where I want it clean looking I've used wall race-track (white semi-round).

[Rod J]

I've had several cats over the years, but I only had trouble with one that was that way inclined. Thankfully she didn't seem too interested in electrical cables but she did have a thing for shoelaces though. Used to love chewing away on them. I started hiding the shoelaces inside my shoes and that discouraged her a bit. It's quite funny but I still hide the shoelaces even though the cat in question died some years ago. She managed to modify my behaviour for life it seems.

Probably shielding the cables is your best bet as the others have suggested.

[wizard10000]

Shield the cable.

This.

You haz my sympathy. I have to deal with getting some vendor to fix squirrel-chewed fiber at remote locations about twice a month. Even got a picture somewhere

[SecretCode]

Fortunately my cat has stopped eating shoelaces and chewing headphone wires. As a kitten she had to go to the vet after not eating for a couple of days - and they extracted a shoelace from her stomach / intestine.

I have some mesh cable organiser ... although no memory of what it's actually called in the stores ... you cut to the required length and wrap it around the group of cables you want to tidy up. This might help deter your cat.

[Snowhog]

Just one example: https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-WHD-410-.../dp/B000068O6G

[Qqmike]

I can't believe ... with all the educated people here ... no one ... well, ok, I'll step in, I'm not a cat-person, though I like all animals ... I was hoping you guys could handle this, but, well, guess not, huh?


The cat acts that way because it has anxiety. Maybe a mixture of anxieties, but predominantly separation anxiety.


You have a talk with it. "When I leave the room or the house, I am not abandoning you, I'm just going out to get you more cat food and toys. You really need to treat your anxiety--and, NO, there will be no narcotics in this house. Distract yourself, don't let your anxiety spill over into boredom and bad behavior. Go look out the window at the birds, play with your toys, lounge on your comfy bed ... DO anything but chew on my electronics. Now let's practice this, desensitize gradually ... I'll leave the room, you stay here, and let's see where this take us ..."


You know, like that.

[Qqmike]

That (#8) was, you know, a joke, of sorts

[Rod J]

That (#8) was, you know, a joke, of sorts

Yeah, I figured as much ... it gave me a good chuckle. Sort of what a psychologist would say to a cat.

[MoonRise]

Man, and here I went and started talking to my cat that way!!!!!

[Qqmike]

I got to thinking, the cat-people I know are very serious about, well, about their cats! That, maybe, I foxed some people here, got them thinking I was serious about psychoanalyzing their cat(s).

[TWPonKubuntu]

Qqmike,

As a "cat person" I can confirm that holding "the talk" with your cat(s) will be entertaining for the cats, educational for you (failure is the best learning experience) and just as likely to ENCOURAGE the behavior as to discourage it.

If cats could extend their middle digit, they would. It's a cat thing.

Seriously, the recommendation to shield all cords is the best way to handle this. Most computer shops will offer cable sheaths, although the price will not be good. Check online for price comparisons.

[GreyGeek]

Cat's hate Black Pepper. Here is a recipe for making it (#3 on the list).

[jlittle]

More evidence that cat people have intellectual deficits, presumably due to latent toxoplasmosis.