If your cat has been eating paper, this post will show you likely reasons why and what you can do about them.
So, why does my cat eat paper? Likely reasons why your cat eats paper are that your cat has Pica causing it to eat things that it should not be, an issue with its diet or that your cat simply likes the taste.
There are a number of possible reasons why your cat has been eating paper and it could be due to a combination of reasons. However, there are a number of things you can consider to help figure out the main cause and there are some things you can do about it.
Why does my cat eat paper?
Below are likely reasons why your cat has been eating paper and what would make them more likely.
Pica
Pica is a medical condition where cats start eating things they shouldn’t. If your cat has started eating toilet paper suddenly, it has been eating other things that it shouldn’t and it has been behaving unusually in other ways too, it would be best to take your cat to the vet for a checkup.
Anxiety
The cause might also be that something has been causing it to get anxious and to behave unusually. This would be more likely if your cat tends to eat toilet paper at a time when it is more likely to be anxious such as when there are loud noises inside or when you are leaving home.
An issue with its diet
The cause might also be that there is an issue with its diet. It could be the case that it has not been getting the right amount of calories or that it has not been getting the right nutrients in its diet. This would be more likely if it has started doing it since a change in its diet. In this case, it would help to ensure that it has been getting the right diet.
Nature
It could also be the case that your cat has been doing it due to naturally wanting to tear things like it would to potential prey. This would be more likely if your cat also rips up the toilet paper.
It simply likes the taste
The cause is likely to be that your cat simply likes the taste. This would be more likely if your cat has not been behaving unusually in other ways.
Things to consider
Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main cause.
If your cat has always eaten paper
If your cat did not always eat toilet paper, it would help to consider what else happened when it first started doing it. If it started doing it suddenly, it could be due to things such as a change in its diet, something causing it to get anxious or that it started doing it for extra attention.
The timing of when your cat eats paper
It would also help to consider the timing of when your cat eats toilet paper since the timing could have something to do with it. For example, if it tends to do it more when you are not home, the cause could be separation anxiety or hunger.
What to do about my cat eating paper?
Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.
Limit your cat’s access to paper
The easiest thing to do would be to limit your cat’s access to toilet paper by making sure to keep the bathroom door closed and toilet paper out of its reach.
Get help
If you are unsure of why your cat has been doing it, it has been eating toilet paper excessively or it has been behaving unusually in other ways, the best option would be to take it to a vet. By doing so, you should be able to get expert advice tailored towards your particular cat and to rule out medical causes.
Ensure your cat is getting the right diet
As mentioned above, it could be due to an issue with its diet. It would help to ensure that it has been eating enough calories and that it has been getting the right nutrients in its diet.
Why does my cat eat toilet paper?
Your cat might be eating toilet paper due to Pica or because it simply likes the taste. It might also be due to things such as an issue with its diet or anxiety and would help to consider the timing of when it does it and what else changed when it first started. If your cat has not been for a checkup recently, it would help to take your cat for a checkup.