I am a listener of your cat chat radio show on Sirius and I am writing you as last resort. I have three adopted Siamese mix cats, three years old. We are about ready to give them away. I have always been a cat lover, but I am at the point where I cannot tolerate their behavior. The behavior that has put us over the edge is that they chew through our electrical cords no matter how well we hide them. We have spent hundreds of dollars replacing wires and appliances to compensate for this problem. They keep us up every night, digging in whatever they can get their hands on or chewing things, including shoes, baskets, boxes etc, if left out. They are costing me thousands of dollars just replacing the things they chew.

Please help. I am ready to send them back to the adoption agency. I don’t know what to do.

Shawna

Dear Shawna -

I am really sorry for your frustration and irritation, but please don't even THINK of sending those cats back to prison - there are many things you can do to cover and protect your cords, it's really easy.

Below, there are several online sources but first try this: take an inexpensive length of PVC plastic pipe and run the cords through it (as you would to "baby proof" a house) or buy the cord covers sold at office supply stores that bundle all the cords inside a plastic tube. Alternately, how about wrapping the cords in sticky tape. You can either buy Sticky Paws (the tape now comes in rolls) or regular double-sided tape.

You basically need to make a big effort cover up everything – run cords under carpets, tacked along molding then covered with half-round molding or PVC.

Then there is the emotional obsessional issue to deal with - these cats need to chill out! You might also like to try some of the Bach flower remedies formulated just for cats' emotional issues at www.SpiritEssence.com. People have great results putting a drop of the right potion inside their cat's ear and rubbing it in. In your case, maybe Spirit Essence Obsession remedy?

There's also basic housekeeping – putting away target items. Do not leave out the things those critters have developed a taste for - it sets them up for failure and you for frustration.

You can also create a safe retreat for the cats at night in a spare room or bathroom with all their cozy stuff or in a large kitty play pen (see www.KVvet.com  which is a low cost pet supply). The cats may object at first, but what's the alternative?

Here are some of the links for you, found by Cat Chat's own behavior consultant, "Dear Sally." I definitely recommend that if these remedies are not successful that you book a private consultation with Dear Sally (go to www.CatChatRadio.com  and you'll find her page as one of my experts) and she is sure to be able to come up with the advice and support you need to keep your house in one piece but also to keep your cats in your family.

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Out of curiosity, how long has this been going on and have you sought help from anyone before?

I'm here for you so please do not throw in the towel - we'll get through this! The Oriental breeds of cats can be emotional and demanding and also wonderful when you get the issues under control. Thanks for letting me help you do that.

Best,

Tracie Hotchner