Puppies and dogs of all ages have been known to chew through electrical wires and other parts of AC and electrical units.
My Dog Chewed Wires On Ac Unit
It is more common than you think that your dog will chew on your ac units wires. Although common, it can be very dangerous. Make sure to always keep electrical wires hidden and out of reach from all household pets. If they do chew the wires, keep a very close eye on your pet to ensure that they haven’t been burned or electrocuted.
Dog Chewed My Outside Air Conditioner Wires [What To Do With The Dog]?
Say your dog has chewed on your ac wires. You need to watch your dog carefully to make sure they are still in good health and did not get electrocuted. Hopefully, there wasn’t enough current flowing in the wires to cause any harm to the dog. For the next 24 hours, check-in your dog every 30 minutes to see if anything has changed in your dog. Look at their gums to check for good blood flow. Gums should always look reddish pink. Look for any signs of excessive panting, coughing, vomiting, and any signs of trouble breathing. These are all reasons to take your dog straight to the vet. Make sure to call your vet ahead of time to alert them of the situation.
One of the more common injuries is burning. They will often get burns on the roof of their mouths or around their lips. Sometimes these burns don’t show themselves for 24-48 hours so keep a watchful eye, especially on how your dog is eating.
The best thing you can do is to take your dog to the vet even if your dog has no symptoms. Sometimes if they’ve been electrocuted there are no visible symptoms. The electricity could have just gone to their heart and could be causing serious heart damage.
How Much Does It Cost To Fix Ac Wires?
AC wires are generally easy to fix and inexpensive. Parts will cost anywhere from $50-$100 depending on the extent of the damage. It is pretty easy to fix yourself as well. However, if you do choose to hire someone labor will cost around $300 an hour.
Why Do Dogs Like To Chew Wires?
Dogs chew on things to relieve anxiety, to relieve boredom, to redirect anger and to get rid of pent up energy. It may also feel good on their gums. It’s important to remember that a dog who likes to chew will chew on most things they can. So if wires are in their path, they will chew them. More specifically, wires may resemble sticks or chew bones leading your dog to believe their chewing is normal. If there is nothing else for an anxious dog to get into, wires are usually at the right level for a dog to find and chew.
Can My Dog Get Electrocuted By Chewing Wires On Ac Unit?
Dogs chewing on electrical wires, including electrical wires from an AC unit, is the most common electrical accident that can happen. Sometimes if you and your dog are lucky, the current won’t be strong enough that is running through the wires and your dog won’t be electrocuted. Not only can they be electrocuted, they can also be burned. The current will burn the roof of their mouth or around their lips. This can be very painful and cause lasting damage if not properly taken care of. The burns will either appear right away or take 24-48 to really appear. You will likely notice your dog having a very hard time eating their food and licking their mouths a lot. Check and see if you can see the burn, and then go straight to your vet.
How Do I Protect My Air Conditioner Wires From My Dog?
The best way to protect your AC wires is to hide them from your dog.
- Run wires behind furniture
- Run wires around doorways
- Store power strips and all other cords in cable management boxes
- Use cable ties and hooks to keep wires against walls and doorways
- Use dog gates around AC units and wires
How To Keep Dogs From Peeing On Ac Unit?
The easiest way to keep your dog from peeing on your ac unit would be to spectate the two. Put your ac unit somewhere where your dog can’t get to, or keep your dog out of the area where the ac unit is.
Teach your dog the “leave it” command around the ac. Bring your dog to the unit and wait until they are about to make a move. Say “leave it” in a very stern voice until they stop what they are doing and sit back down. Reward with a treat when the act has been property met. Repeat until treats are no longer needed and your dog has stopped peeing on your ac.
How Do I Dog Proof My Ac Unit?
The easiest way to dog proof your ac unit is to put it in a place where your dog cannot get to it. Keep it up high, or in a room where the dog does not go. Put a dog gate around the ac unit to steer them away from the unit and make it hard to get to. Make sure to hide all wires and keep them in cable management boxes and or tied up against the wall. You can also hide the wires behind furniture.
Do Dogs Like Freon?
Freon, or more commonly known as antifreeze, is a chemical found in all ac units. It circulates through the unit to create the cool air. Freon should stay inside the unit unless there is a leak or the unit is malfunctioning. Most household pets including dogs are attracted to freon or antifreeze. This is because it has a very sweet taste.
For a dog that is 10 pounds, it only takes 1-2 tablespoons of freon to poison them. Unfortunately, freon poisoning often leads to death if it goes undetected. Which it commonly does go undetected as the symptoms can be very mild at first. The best thing to do is to go to your vet immediately if you have the slightest idea that your dog has had contact with antifreeze.
What Are The Symptoms Of Freon Poisoning In Dogs?
If you suspect your dog has freon (antifreeze) poisoning, here is what to look for.
- Wobbling
- Diarrhea
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Accelerated heart beat
- Fainting
- Excessive urination
- Lethargy
References
https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/cardiovascular/c_dg_electric_cord_bite
https://www.petmd.com/dog/emergency/digestive/e_multi_antifreeze_poisoning