Cats are notorious for stripping and shredding toilet paper, which drives many cat parents to despair. If your cat is causing havoc in the bathroom, it’s time to start looking at how you can cat-proof your toilet paper holders and redirect your cat’s impulses to something more appropriate.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through your options and share some tips on understanding and preventing this behavior.
Methods for Cat-Proofing Toilet Paper Holders
If it’s just not possible to keep your cat in the bathroom, you can DIY your own toilet paper holder protector or buy one. Let’s look at both of these methods.
1. DIY Toilet Paper Holder
You can easily make a toilet paper holder protector from some bits and bobs you have around your home. Here’s an example of how to do a basic one, but feel free to get creative—there’s more than one way to do it.
What you will need:
- A plastic, tub-shaped container (such as a large soda bottle or wipes container)
- Scissors/box cutter
- Manager
- Decorative items (optional)
Steps
- Clean the plastic container and remove any labels.
- Cut off the bottom and top of the container to get a tube about 4 inches wide (the width of a roll of toilet paper).
- Cut a line through the plastic tube to open it up, which will allow you to curl it around the toilet roll later.
- Cut one end of the plastic tube to make sure it is smooth.
- Bend the trimmed end back a half inch or so to create the area where the toilet roll slides when you pull.
- Curl the tube with the bent end outside and hold it for a few moments to tighten it. This allows it to fit more tightly over the toilet roll.
- Add some stickers or other decorations to brighten it up, if you like.
- Place your DIY protector on top of the toilet paper. Don’t worry if it slips a little—it shouldn’t be so tight that you can’t pull out the toilet paper.
2. Commercial Toilet Roll Covers
If you’re not a fan of DIY, you can always buy a toilet roll protector. While researching, we even came across some that were specifically designed with cat-proofing in mind, and these types are usually fully covered but have a flap at the front or bottom.
These can help prevent the cat from getting at the toilet paper from most angles, but they are not always catproof. Cats are smart, and many will quickly learn how to lift the flap or attack the bottom where the toilet roll hangs.
Alternatively, you can look for a toilet roll holder box that allows you to pull the paper out of a hole at the top and simply cover this hole with something when not in use, or store your toilet roll in a covered container, only take it out when needed.
Why Do Cats Attack Toilet Roll?
The answer here is very simple: It’s fun. Cats love playing with toilet paper rolls because of the way they move when they are unrolled and how easy they are to shred, all of which are very tempting for an animal. with a passion for hunting. If your cat engages in this behavior frequently, he may need more mental stimulation in the form of play sessions with you and interactive cat toys.
Try getting a selection of new toys such as balls, chaser wands, catnip toys, puzzles, and treat-dispensing toys to redirect your cat’s energy. Don’t forget to play with your cat several times a day, and give them enough attention so they don’t feel neglected.
Cats should also always have access to a scratching post, as scratching is an important behavior for them. You can also try placing one in your bathroom or outside the bathroom door if this is where your cat gets up to the most mischief.
Final Thoughts
Toilet paper is often among the first victims of a mischievous kitten, but with a few simple changes like those described in this guide, you can keep it safe from harm!
On a final note, remember that while scratching and peeling toilet paper is usually just a form of play, chewing toilet paper can indicate that a cat is feeling unwell in some cases. Watch for signs of illness and contact your veterinarian if you suspect something is wrong.
Featured Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock
