Why Do Pets Mess With Power Cords?

Pets are naturally curious creatures and are keen on learning about the world around them.

“Pets often explore new objects with their mouth by biting, chewing, and/or licking at them,” says Amy Fox, DVM, a small animal veterinarian in New York City.

Unfortunately, your pet’s curiosity has the potential to get them into dangerous situations, especially if power cords and outlets are involved.

What Dangers Do Power Cords Pose to Pets?

Power cords, whether plugged in or not, pose several risks to pets.

“The main danger is electrocution if pets bite a live wire that is plugged in,” Fox says. “Wires that are not plugged in can also cause problems if pets bite off pieces and swallow them, possibly causing intestinal obstructions and other internal injuries. Cords of any kind can also get tangled around pets, causing injuries.”

6 Household Items to Unplug

It might not be practical to unplug every corded device in your home, but here are six items to always unplug if you have pets.

Countertop Appliances

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Let’s be honest—after you finish your last cup of joe, your coffee maker won’t be much use to you the rest of the day. Small kitchen appliances like toasters, coffee makers, and air fryers should be unplugged after each use to keep your pets safe, especially if you have a cat who loves to frequent your kitchen countertops.

Lamps

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A great habit to develop is unplugging your table lamps and floor lamps immediately after you switch them off. This is a great energy saver and also mitigates tons of cord chaos your pets may get into under the cloak of darkness. Alternatively, you could also look into getting a fancy cordless lamp (yes, really!) to stump your pets once and for all.

Hair Tools

Unplug and put away hair tools like hair dryers and curling irons after use to declutter and prevent your corded devices from falling into the bathroom sink—a common stomping ground of kitties everywhere. In addition to their too-close proximity to water, hot tools left unsupervised can easily burn your animals if they haven’t had time to cool down properly.

Related

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Fans and Heaters

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When the dog days of summer are in full swing, a cool blast from a corded fan can make a world of difference. Same goes for space heaters when the first snow falls. Just make sure to pay mind to the cords of these climate-controlling devices—and, of course, unplug them on more temperate days when you don’t require their services.

Chargers

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We’re all guilty of leaving our phone charger plugged into the wall even when nothing is attached. After all, you’re going to need it later anyway. But consider unplugging chargers from the wall or your bedside power strip once your device is finished charging—a dangly cord with nothing attached to it is especially attractive to curious pets.

TVs and Game Consoles

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Unplugging the TV can be a hassle, and what if your pets want to watch TV while you’re out of the house? Let’s compromise: We recommend unplugging the TV and related devices during windows when your pets are sauntering around out of sight and feeling most mischievous, like when their human is in bed. Or better yet—tuck the cords out of sight!

Alternatives to Unplugging

Sometimes, unplugging certain devices just isn’t feasible for your household—or sometimes you may forget! Here are a few alternatives to unplugging that may work better for your situation.

Try Obedience Training

One way to prevent your pets from messing with cords is to use positive reinforcement training. Instead of scolding your pets when they chew on cords, redirect their behavior and praise them using delicious treats when they stop the chewing.

Pet-Proof Your Cords

“This is a good reminder to keep pets safe by pet-proofing the spaces they spend time in,” Fox says. “Be sure to keep wires out of reach and unplugged whenever possible, and to keep pets confined to a safe space away from potential hazards.”

Out of sight, out of mind, right? There are many clever ways to finagle power cords so they are out of reach of tiny paws. Just make sure your clever solution doesn’t create additional fire hazards i.e. don’t hide cords under a rug.

Experiment With Smart Plugs

Smart plugs are a great way to remotely conserve energy in your home—and to safeguard your pets! Using smart plugs can automate the usage of several devices in your home and reduce the risk of accidents or hazards when you’re away.

Provide Other Entertainment Options

Pets resort to mischief largely for one reason: boredom. Make sure your pets are getting enough physical and mental exercise every day so they’re not wanting for entertainment. Puzzle toys and long walks are just two ways to keep your pets happy and ward off boredom.