Problem Solving & Advice by Pam Johnson-Bennett Cat Behavior Expert & Best-selling Author
It happens in homes all across the world. The cat walks into the bathroom and spots something too hard to resist… the toilet paper hanging next to the toilet. As the cat reaches up to touch it with a paw, he discovers a great new activity: toilet paper unrolling and shredding. Within minutes your bathroom looks as if a snowstorm has gone through it.
A cat may also develop an interest in the toilet paper roll as a substitute scratching post. As he scratches, the paper continues to unwind and you’re left with a pile of claw-marked paper on the floor. For a cat who is bored, the unraveling of the toilet paper roll becomes a fun activity because it involves movement.
What Can You Do to Stop Your Cat From Unrolling the Toilet Paper?
What are your options for outwitting a toilet paper-loving feline? Here are some tips:
- Before placing the new roll on the holder, squeeze it so the cardboard insert isn’t perfectly round. That way, when the cat tries to unravel it, the roll won’t spin around so freely.
- Position the paper roll so it unrolls from the bottom and not up over the top. That will prevent it from unraveling.
- Instead of using a horizontal toilet paper holder, switch to a vertical style.
- Of course, you can also keep the bathroom door closed or place the toilet paper roll completely out of reach of the cat.
- Don’t place the cat’s litter box in close proximity to the toilet paper roll so there’s less of an opportunity for your kitty to come across it.
- There are child-proof toilet paper holders you can purchase that will prevent your cat from having access to the paper roll at all. You can find these in the child safety section of stores as well as online. Some have covers so the paper can only be dispensed when the cover is lifted. Others only allow for a few sheets of paper to be unrolled at a time.
Increase the Fun Factor for Your Cat
If your cat is bored, it will help to increase environmental enrichment so there will be other, acceptable activities. Set out puzzle feeders, other activity toys, open paper bags and other fun things so kitty will remain busy without getting destructive. Additionally, engage your cat in daily interactive play sessions. As hunters, cats are looking for movement and opportunities to seek out “prey” and if there isn’t enough enrichment in the home, the things they may choose as boredom-busters are often not ones appreciated by the cat parent.
Need More Help with Cat Behavior?
For more information on cat behavior and training, refer to the best-selling books by Pam Johnson-Bennett. Her books are available at bookstores and online. We’ve included links to Amazon here on our website.
