The cat unwinds toilet paper: why does it do it and how to wean it

Finding torn toilet paper in the house is a common occurrence for cat owners. Pets like to unwind toilet paper and drag it around the bathroom or even throughout the apartment.

But why do they love her so much? Do not think that cats like to force their owners to clean up. The fact is that in this way they show instinctive behavior.

Why does a cat unwind toilet paper

Most, if not all, cat owners have witnessed a debacle left by a pet after playing with a toilet paper roll. As a rule, this behavior is more often observed in kittens, but active adults also like to tear toilet paper. In most cases, the sweetest pet tears toilet paper under the influence of big feline instincts. In addition, boredom and, less commonly, health problems can cause destructive interest in toilet paper.

Hunting

Being naturally predatory, cats are on high alert most of the time. It is difficult for such a skilled natural hunter to resist a swaying roll of toilet paper. Trying to catch and pull out the hanging end of the paper is akin to the process of hunting. This game of inanimate prey exemplifies “predatory behavior directed at inanimate objects,” explains International Cat Care.

If the pet successfully knocks the toilet paper roll off the holder and, after grabbing, kicks him with his hind legs, he exhibits instinctive behavior. However, these actions are classified as aggressive, so it is better not to try to take toilet paper away from the cat until it stops attacking.

Boredom

Cats feel best if their owners are at home around the clock. Therefore, when they leave, pets begin to show certain forms of behavior. Boredom can cause destruction, which makes some of us think that the cat just wants to annoy us. It’s a “common misconception,” experts say. College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University, since many destructive behaviors are “usually part of the normal process of exploration and play.” A pet can get bored if ignored, so it’s important to set aside time every day to play with it.

Health problems

Sometimes cats eat toilet paper because of an eating disorder called pica. It is characterized by the desire to eat inedible objects such as wool, plastic and paper. If a cat unrolls toilet paper while playing, this is not a cause for concern, but, as emphasizes Cat Healthif she regularly chews and swallows it, you should contact your veterinarian. It will help determine if it is caused by health problems, such as stress, anxiety or other pathological conditions.

How to stop your cat from tearing up toilet paper

If the pet is aimed and determined to get toilet paper, in most cases she will get to it. However, there are several ways to stop the furry naughty from playing with toilet paper:

• keep the bathroom door closed
• use a railed toilet paper holder
• install a vertical instead of a horizontal toilet paper holder so that it is more difficult for it to reach the roll
• change the shape of the roll, making it more square

Since the character of each cat is unique, such tricks will not work for all pets. For example, some animals can’t stand closed doors, while others may see a horizontal roll of toilet paper and think, “Challenge accepted.”

The cat tears toilet paper: how to switch her attention

Switching attention is a positive and effective way proper cat training, implying its distraction from destructive behavior while consolidating positive behavior. For example, you can offer a cat a toy mouse with catnip that she can chase, or a bird on a stick. It’s best to distract her regularly while she’s still a kitten, but it’s never too late to try.

Watching a pet unroll a roll is not only fun, but also wasteful, since toilet paper is not recyclable. Also, don’t use leftover toilet paper: it can be contaminated with cat saliva and fur, pieces of cat litter, and who knows what other visible and invisible microbes.

But such a game does not have to be a waste of resources. You can make homemade toys for your cat out of a toilet roll to keep them busy, like a food puzzle or other crafts for fun activities together.