Last night Rose and I were watching television and Chris was chewing on the power cord for the Christmas tree lights. We yelled at him to stop so he then started chewing on one of the light bulbs… while it was plugged in. I had to pick him up and move him two or three times and each time he would give me a loud kitty yell and then go right back to what he was doing. It was like he was enjoying the negative attention.
Now I worry about leaving the tree plugged in while we are in another room. I’m pretty sure he only does it for the attention that it brings him but I still have to treat him like a small child. He is a four-and-a-half year old cat with the maturity level of a three year old child. At this rate, I’m going to mature before he does.
Bad Cat Chris 
They certainly have a mind of their own don’t they? Sam can look at me (or look right through me I should say) when I tell him no – he understands totally (after 14 years he should) but will do what he WANTS to do anyway. Fortunately now that he’s older he rarely “goes his own way”. However, that light string biting thingie might speed up Chris’ “learning curve” a bit!! The HARD way!
Pam and Sam
I think you are right. One shock will stop the chewing for a long time. I just don’t want to find Kentucky Fried Chris in my living room.
Covering the cables with Sticky Paws (double sided sticky tape) may help.
We put a tree skirt down to cover the cords, but he seems to want to chew on the bulbs which worries me. Maybe I should put the sticky paws on his paws to keep him distracted.
Some of us, especially Mauricio (not to mention any names) are the champions of bad behavior to gain negative attention. Chris probably won’t bother the tree if you aren’t in the room. Purrs and hugs, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
I think the bigger question here is WHY? Why do you seek negative attention?
Time for a baby gate for the 4-year old ! I wonder what his siblings are like…?
The problem is that he acts like a four year old child but he is still a cat that can jump over obstacles. He is on the desk pestering me right now so it is hard to write.
Reblogged this on Bad Cat Chris and commented:
For #TBT I thought I would share this post from December 7, 2013, a day that almost lived in infamy.
I hope he has outgrown cord chewing.
That was a temporary thing. I think maybe he felt that we weren’t paying enough attention to him.