How to keep my kitten from shredding toilet paper and paper towels?

Question

We have a roughly 14 week old kitten who just loves to get into trouble. Her latest venture includes shredding all of the toilet paper that is on the roll and as much of the paper towels as she possibly can. We have been working really hard on disciplining her against being on the counters and I'm started keeping the paper towels under the sink which has more or less solved that problem (until one of the roommates leaves them out on the counter.) Unfortunately, I have no convenient place to hide my toilet paper. No shelf to put it on, cabinet to hide it in, nada. This creates a pretty big issue, as you can imagine. I've tried tucking the end into the roll because I noticed that the heat vent made the paper move when it came on, possibly making her want to play with it. Didn't work, woke up the next morning to a bathroom full of Quilted Northern confetti. The main issue is she only does this at night when we're sleeping. I read that it could be boredom, I highly doubt that is what it is. She has tons of toys and we have an older cat (who has never done these things, hence why I'm at such a loss.) that she likes to terrorize. I can't teach her that it's wrong if I can't catch her in the act, and I'm not sure how to go about catching her in the act short of staying up all night and camping out in the bathroom with the squirt bottle. 

Thanks for any and all help, guys :)

Ocimom · Accepted Answer

You can try 2 things regarding the TP - reverse the roll so that the paper is pulled from under and the cat will roll it the opposite way.  There are also toilet paper covers (plastic) that can be put over the roll.  You may need to just google the covers to find them or look on ebay.

The paper towels could be put on a roller (like a rolling pin).  And if you keep the kittens nails trimmed short weekly she will do less damage.

Hubley · Answer

Close the bathroom door.

"Forgot to add, cat boxes are in the bathroom and in our tiny house it's the only place we can keep them, so we don't want to keep the door closed and have them do their deeds in the hallway."

Ah, that does make a difference. ;) The only thing I can think of to suggest would be to either move the toilet roll holder much higher (hopefully she won't start leaping up to get at it) or to put the roll in a cupboard if you have one handy, or place it on top of the sink where it's less obvious to her, and take it out during use...at least until your kitty is a bit older and has lost interest in toilet-paper stalking.

Michele the Louis Wain cat · Answer

Lots of cats (mine included) love shredding toilet and tissue paper because it replicates part of the hunting sequence which is to tear and shred their prey.  Perhaps it's the ease with which paper shreds that attracts them to it?

As it's natural behaviour the only way to resolve the problem is to keep toilet rolls etc., out of her reach by putting them away in cupboards or store them inside a large plastic box with a snap-down lid.  As for the toilet roll currently in use, you can protect it by wrapping it in a sheet of tin foil when you've finished with it or keep it in a plastic tub with a screw top lid.  If your roommates don't want to be caught short in the bathroom with just a handful of shredded paper to use, they will soon remember to make sure the toilet roll stays cat-proofed when not in use.

My 8 year old female cat has never outgrown the habit of shredding paper so I make sure I don't put temptation in her way.  Cardboard blocks are the only type of scratcher she will use so I guess that makes an acceptable alternative for her to shred.   Perhaps your kitten might enjoy using one of these?  This article explains how you can make one from old boxes.

http://www.designsponge.com/2009/01/diy-project-recycled-cardboard-kitty-pad.html

This article has lots of ideas for keeping cats entertained and with her love of shredded paper, your kitten might enjoy the frantic box suggestion.

http://www.celiahaddon.co.uk/pet%20problems/cats/indoor.html

Anonymous · Answer

you are able to try ultimate the lavatory door, yet i recognize extremely with roommates that is a not undemanding "rule" to implement. in case you do not opt to bypass the cupboard direction, you'll get those plastic TP tower issues which serves an same purpose. you are able to also try different techniques like taping somewhat of plastic around the TP holder (leaving a way that people can get to it from the right), or putting the TP in a bag on the lower back of the rest room.

Questor · Answer

By keeping them out of her reach.

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How to keep my kitten from shredding toilet paper and paper towels?

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