There are two types of people in the world, dog people and cat people. Where dog people tend to clean up after their pets on the outside, cat people have to deal with the cunning and sneakiness of their feline companions.
Cats are amazing animals and any cat owner will tell you that they are the best pets ever. They don't slobber everywhere. They don't jump on you or hump your leg, but they are destructive and love tearing things apart, especially paper. But why do cats tear up paper?
It's all happened to us
If you own a cat, you will be familiar with the feeling of rage, mixed with despair and love at the same time.
You just got a quality assignment done from an online assignment help by British writers ease your assignment burden. Then your cat got hold of your paperwork and teared it to shreds. After the rage subsides, and you realize you still have a digital copy from the online writing service, you are left wondering why does my cat tear up paper?
There is absolutely no nutrition in it and it definitely isn't something that your cat can hunt. Logically, a cat shredding paper makes no sense. Yet, they love coming in and destroying your work. The worst thing is that you can't really hide it from them either as they can get to places that even you can't reach.
Why do they do it?
Although one might not think it, cats are a lot like dogs when it comes to attention. Although they display their affection and contentment in other ways, they still crave some attention from their owners. They might not need as much as dogs, but they do love it and give it back in affection when you give them some loving.
When your cat is tearing up your paperwork, it most likely means that they are bored and tearing up paper gets them out of their slump. Although it isn't hunting, tearing up some pages is very much like tearing up their prey.
On the other hand, the problem could be more severe in that your cat is experiencing anxiety which could have been brought on by a sudden change in environment or a traumatic experience. This is when they will actually try and ingest the paper which could lead to digestive and dietary issues.
How can you stop it?
They need your attention and the one sure way to get them to stop tearing your things apart is by playing with them. Although cats roam around and there are times when you don't see your cat that often, it doesn't mean that they are not social animals.
If you can't play with them that often, then you should at least create an environment where they can play and get rid of their frustrations on their own. At least they will be taking their extra energy out on something that is cat nail proof.
You should challenge your cat with some interactive play that encourages them to get some exercise. When you aren't around, make sure they have enough toys to keep themselves busy with. But when your cats are anxious, diffuse some cat pheromones into the air. This relaxes them and gets rid of their stress.
As mentioned earlier, cats can get to places that you cannot, but they also prefer to go to certain places and avoid others. Cats are not the biggest fans of walking on plastic. The texture does not go well with their sense of touch.
This means that you can spread some thick plastic sheets around the areas where you store your paperwork. Just make sure that your cat cannot bridge the gap between the floor and your desk surface.
If that is too much of a mission for you, go to your local pet store and buy a can of cat repellant. These aerosols don't harm your cat in any way, it just repels them.
When do you intervene?
If you have done all you can to prevent your cat from tearing up the paper and it still persists, then you need to do some inspection. Check their teeth and gums for any inflammation. It could indicate to a piece of paper that is lodged between teeth.
If you cannot determine if your cat is actually ingesting the paper, but suspect digestive issues, then you need to go to your local vet. Paper is bad for them and it could cause permanent digestive problems and even death in worst-case scenarios.
Conclusion
If you love cats, then you need to take the good with the bad. The same applies to any pet for that matter. When you decide to have a pet, then you also accept the responsibility that comes with it. We were the ones who decided to domesticate animals, so we should also be the ones to protect them when they cannot protect themselves.
In the end, when your cat is healthy and happy, you will also be. It is when you don't pay attention to them that they get inventive to get your attention.
Author Bio:
Robert is a renowned academic writer and editor working with online writing services as a freelance consultant. He also provides online classes to students who aspire to be professional authors and writers in their careers. In his free time, he practices yoga, goes out fishing and writes poetry. He can be contacted on his Twitter handle.