Why Does My Cat Keep Unrolling Toilet Paper?

Is your cat unrolling toilet paper and dragging it all over the bathroom – or even outside? You're not the only one who feels this way! Cat parents are all too familiar with entering a bathroom covered with toilet paper.

But why are cats so fond of toilet paper? Is it solely for the purpose of driving their pet parents insane? Your tenacious feline is engaged in innate behavior in addition to scaring your toilet paper.

Why Do Cats Have Such a Strong Affinity for Toilet Paper?

The carnage left behind by cats with toilet paper streamers has been witnessed by most, if not all, cat parents. This activity is more common in kittens, but active adult cats will also shred toilet paper. Because their big cat instincts are still very much a part of their lives, your lovely domestic cat usually wreaks havoc on toilet paper. Toilet paper waste is also caused by boredom and, less frequently, health issues.

Hunting

Cats, as natural predators, are constantly on high alert. A fluttering roll of toilet paper is difficult to resist for such a skilled inherent hunter. The act of "grabbing" and dragging a toilet paper roll's loose end is similar to a cat's hunting technique. According to International Cat Care, this "toying" with inanimate prey is an example of "predatory behavior directed towards inanimate items."

Your cat is displaying instinctual behavior if they successfully knock off the entire roll of toilet paper and clutch it in their paws while performing the cat bunny kick. However, because this is an aggressive move, you should wait until your cat has done attacking the toilet paper before attempting to remove it.

Boredom

Cats are happiest when their owners are around at all times, and they'll engage in specific habits while you're away, such as tearing up toilet paper. Boredom can lead to other harmful actions, prompting some cat owners to believe their cat is after them. Many harmful actions are "generally part of the normal investigation and play," according to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, therefore this is a "common misperception." Boredom can strike even when you're at home, so set aside time each day to socialize with your cat.

Health Issues

Pica, or the desire to eat non-food objects such as wool, plastic, or paper, causes cats to chew on toilet paper. A cat unrolling toilet paper as a kind of entertainment isn’t causing alarm, but if your cat chews and ingests toilet paper on a frequent basis, consult your veterinarian to see whether an underlying issue, such as stress, anxiety, or another medical concern, is to blame.

How to Prevent Your Cat from Unrolling the Toilet Paper

If your cat is dead set on getting toilet paper, he or she will almost always succeed. There are a few things you can do to keep your cat from destroying the toilet paper roll:

• Close the bathroom door.

• Protect your toilet paper with a toilet paper guard.

• To make toilet paper less accessible, install your toilet paper holder vertically rather than horizontally.

• Make the toilet paper less circular and more square by reshaping it.

Because each cat has a distinct personality, not all tricks are appropriate for all cats. Some cats, for example, dislike locked doors, while others may view a horizontal roll of toilet paper and consider to themselves, "challenge accepted."

Redirection

Redirecting your cat's attention is an effective strategy to break off a bond between cats and toilet paper. This redirection should happen while they're kittens, but it's never too late to give it a shot! Distracting your cat from harmful behavior while positively encouraging beneficial behavior, such as attacking a catnip mouse or whacking a toy bird on a stick, is a positive, efficient approach to appropriately disciplining your cat.

Although it's adorable to see cats unrolling toilet paper, it's also wasteful. Toilet paper (new or used) cannot be recycled, and toilet paper remnants should not be used since they may be contaminated with cat saliva and fur, particles of litter, and who knows what other visible and invisible pathogens. It doesn't have to be a complete waste, though. You can utilize the now-empty toilet paper tube to make boredom-busting activities for your cats, such as a cat food puzzle, a DIY cat toy, or another craft.

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