Biting Paper

[Echolane]

My lovely cat, Timo, has developed an increasingly troublesome habit of biting paper.
Here is his latest target, fortunately not an important document.
View attachment IMG_3376.jpeg
He doesn’t eat the paper fortunately, but the bits he bites off are scattered around as unwelcome evidence of his vice.
im going to suggest that this could be traced to boredom. Timo is a very personable outgoing cat. He seems to greatly enjoy company and will eagerly greet people at the front door. If they pay him the least attention he rewards them with head butts and lots of soliciting to be pet or played with. In between life can be deadly boring because his home is very quiet with few visitors. His “mom”, me, doesn’t do play things very well. I’m 85 and have a lot of pain. He is very bonded to me and will often lie on me or next to me for hours. I think he has a high intelligence. What can I do to keep him happy.

 

[vampiric_conure]

OOOH! OOoh! Something I can answer! **dances with joy**

Sounds like boredom. If he's intelligent and bored, something like a dog snuffle mat, or puzzle toys can be beneficial. They'll keep him entertained for a while! There's a zillion examples on Amazon. Even doggy puzzle toys will work for cats, especially if they must use their nose to move something to get the food/treat. There are some slow feeder mats where you place kibble or wet food between spikes and the cat has to fish them out with a paw. There are simple, homemade ones you can make if you're feeling handsy.

 

[susanm9006]

As long as he isn’t actually eating it, I would give him paper - a paper bag or a cardboard box for him to entertain himself with. Yes, it is messy but he enjoys this little activity.

 

[Krienze]

As long as he isn’t actually eating it, I would give him paper - a paper bag or a cardboard box for him to entertain himself with. Yes, it is messy but he enjoys this little activity.

They actually have paper bags for cats that you can buy! I bought one for my kitties and they loved it!

That said, Sammy does have a tendency to chew on plastic when he wants to guilt me into putting food in his bowl.

 

[Echolane]

I’ll look for puzzle toys for him. And I can can at least try giving him his own paper to bite. I could put some paper in a box on the floor for him.

 

[Alldara]

My lovely cat, Timo, has developed an increasingly troublesome habit of biting paper.
Here is his latest target, fortunately not an important document.
View attachment 481949
He doesn’t eat the paper fortunately, but the bits he bites off are scattered around as unwelcome evidence of his vice.
im going to suggest that this could be traced to boredom. Timo is a very personable outgoing cat. He seems to greatly enjoy company and will eagerly greet people at the front door. If they pay him the least attention he rewards them with head butts and lots of soliciting to be pet or played with. In between life can be deadly boring because his home is very quiet with few visitors. His “mom”, me, doesn’t do play things very well. I’m 85 and have a lot of pain. He is very bonded to me and will often lie on me or next to me for hours. I think he has a high intelligence. What can I do to keep him happy.

Can you get him a cardboard box and some craft paper as a "yes" space for paper shredding?

Some interactive toys might help as well.

Any play you can do with him is helpful of course. Its good physio for many types od chronic pain as well as you dont push it too much.