CATS EATING TOILET PAPER EXPLAINED, SECRETS AND ADVICE
Cats eating toilet paper have always been a mystery to many people. Is it, though? We know that cats are curious animals and have to chew everything, but why are they obsessed with toilet paper? Since cats have become parts of the family, there is no way to leave toilet paper within their reach.
Cats eat toilet paper because they are curious and like to play with it; they can chew it with ease and break it, roll in it and make a mess, they can shred it, and pretend to catch a prey. Therefore, cats typically play with it; however, it may signify a health problem if it becomes obsessive.
Let’s see what drives cats’ obsession with toilet paper and what we can do about it.
WHY DO CATS EAT TOILET PAPER?
Cats are attracted to paper, especially if they can tear it into pieces and put their teeth on it. Cats are fascinated with the fact that they can pull the toilet paper and spin it. It is a fun game. In addition, once they have pulled a lot of paper, they can roll in it and have even more fun.
Observing my cat’s behavior, I can figure that he likes paper because he can make it into pieces and play with it as he would with another toy or even a prey.
Somehow cats seem to know when you have paper towels around the house, maybe were even used to blow some noses (gross), but cats manage to dig it out to start chewing them. There is a unique radar cats use when it comes to paper and plastic.
Here are all the reasons for cats chewing and playing with toilet paper:
1. YOU HAVE A KITTEN
Kittens have to develop their teeth. For a young cat, it is more natural to be wanting to chew paper, toys, and other objects; they have to grow up and pretend they are hunting while they are still young.
Kittens do not differentiate a lot between objects; they are very curious and have to get into everything. So toilet paper is a perfect toy, and kittens can have a lot of fun.
2. STRESS
On the other side, a cat could be just stressed or anxious. For example, cats eating toilet paper could indicate stress or anxiety. Cats that become stressed can develop aggressive and illogical behavior.
If you recently introduced new things into the house, such as a new pet, person, or have changed things around, your cat could act out of stress.
3. IT IS FUN TO PLAY WITH
Toilet paper fits all the characteristics of a perfect cat toy:
- It is chewable
- It is transportable: cats can take it with their teeth and move it and hide it
- It can be cut into other small pieces
- Cats can play with it in many ways
What about if cats become obsessed with toilet paper and papers in general? What bout if this habit goes beyond regular play?
4. HUNTING
If you see your cat playing on the floor with a roll of toilet paper between the paws and the mouth, your cat has just gotten a prey: your toilet paper!
Cats’ hunting instinct makes them want to go after toilet paper in a sort of hunting campaign!
HOW DO I GET MY CAT TO STOP EATING THE TOILET PAPER?
If your cat likes to destroy any toilet paper roll, you could try a few things to make him stop. For example, you can:
- Try using a toilet paper dispenser
- Keep your toilet paper out of reach from your cat
- Replace the toilet paper with a toy that your cat would like to play with
- Close the bathroom door
You can also get toilet paper guards for cats to make sure your toilet paper is not becoming a victim of your cat.
Here are some excellent ideas for toilet paper guards:
If you think it can be a nutritional deficiency (pica), you can ask the vet what to do and get your cat into a proper diet or medication.
ARE CATS EATING TOILET PAPER OR CARDBOARD A SIGN OF ILLNESS?
In some instances, a cat who has to chew obsessively and eat objects rather than regular food could indicate a health condition called pica.
Pica is a psychological disorder characterized by an appetite for substances that are largely non-nutritive, such as ice (pagophagia); hair (trichophagia); paper (xylophagia); drywall or paint; sharp objects (acuphagia);metal (metallophagia); stones (lithophagia) or soil (geophagia); glass (hyalophagia); feces (coprophagia); and chalk.
Ref. Wikipedia
Cats with these conditions have a nutritional deficiency. Therefore, it is better to seek advice from the vet and follow his instructions.
Read also: HOW TO HISS LIKE A CAT| CATS HISSING EXPOSED
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can cats digest toilet paper?
Cats can tolerate many things they ingest; a bit of paper is not harmful to cats, but too much can create an intestinal blockage. If it is too much, you should get him to the vet and see if he will be ok or need further medical intervention.
Is it bad if my cat eats cardboard?
If cats overeat cardboard, it could create an intestinal blockage. You have to seek vet attention. A little bit is not a problem and can be processed by a cat’s stomach.
Why does my cat rip up paper?
It is an instinct in cats to hunt and rip their prey, so they rip the paper. However, cats use to mark territory too, so this combination of actions can bring about cats ripping up toilet papers.
