Wow–I’ve heard of this before, and the behavior of eating inedible objects is termed pica. It’s often considered an obsessive-compulsive disorder and appears to be more common in Oriental-heritage cats (like Siamese and Burmese).
Before anything else, please consult with a veterinary behaviorist. Ask your regular veterinarian for a referral. Some cats develop this behavior as a result of anemia, so a thorough exam and blood work may reveal an issue that could be helped. But in addition, the behaviorist may be able to prescribe a medication that helps alleviate OCD in this kitty. Some cats simply crave fiber, and adding something like green beans to the diet or feeding a hairball-control ration might help.
Bottom line, you’ll need to control this cat’s environment. As you’ve likely discovered, the “putting his face in it and spanking†does NOT work. Corporal punishment has no positive effect with cats and actually may make behaviors worse. Besides, unless you catch Kitty in the act, he won’t have a clue why he’s being swatted and may actually decide that you always swat him when you return home. If that happens he could start to hide around you–or it could simply raise his stress levels and increase the wire-eating.
I’d suggest that you invest in a large cat “play pen†that many breeders use. Since he does this when you aren’t around, you could confine him to this cat area while you’re away. Alternatively, create a cat-safe room that has no wires and no fabric anywhere, and shut him into the room when you must be away. Do not think of this as cruel–because it’s MORE cruel to allow him to continue eating bad stuff, risk more surgery or death, and potentially damage the bond you share.
More: continued here
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