How to Catproof Your Toilet Paper Roll

Ever notice how toilet paper rolls are like cat magnets? Somehow if you leave one out in the open, you’ll come back to find it has been absolutely shredded. If you put the roll on a dispenser too close to the ground, you might come back to find it has been fully unravelled.

Why is it that cats love toilet paper so much? The answer is pretty simple: it’s fun. Cats are both predators and prey in the wild, but the things they feel confident around are about the size of a toilet paper roll or smaller.

Toilet paper rolls provide the perfect basis for an emulated attack. The cat can wrap both arms around a loose roll, then kick and shred it with its back legs. In the wild, when a cat attacks its prey, they usually do this same thing, with the prey making lots of noise, triggering them to attack further. When attacking a toilet paper roll, the kicking and shredding make lots of noise, and the paper rips easily – it’s a great time for a cat.

Toilet paper rolls on dispensers are less about attacking and more about curiosity. Sure, cats get a kick out of kicking and ripping toilet paper, but once they start to unravel a roll, it’s like another side of their brain kicks in. They will just stand there pulling the paper with both hands until it is all gone.

What’s the Solution?

There are a couple of approaches available here. The first is to DIY your own toilet paper roll cover using some plastic recycling and a few tools. The second option is to go out and buy a prebuilt toilet paper dispenser with its own cover.

DIY Toilet Paper Cover

This one is easy to do. All you need is something large and cylindrical – such as a 2L pop bottle or a large wipes container, a ruler, something to cut with (scissors or an exacto blade), and whatever decorative elements you want.

1.      Clean the container.

2.      Cut the sides off to create a 4-inch tube.

3.      Cut a line across one side so you can open it up to wrap around the roll.

4.      Ensure the edges are smooth to avoid ripping paper.

5.      Bend back one edge about half an inch from where the paper slides out.

6.      Paint or place stickers on the exterior if you wish!

Premade Toilet Paper Dispenser with Cover

When shopping for a covered toilet paper dispensing solution, know there are numerous examples specifically designed for people living with cats. These can often be easily installed over your pre-existing toilet paper roller, or you can replace yours entirely with something new. Sometimes buying a brand-new unit is best as it will be designed to work as is, out of the box.

Final Thoughts

Sometimes a kitty attacking toilet paper is just a bored kitty seeking stimulation. If you play with your cat every day, you cannot always guarantee 100% they will leave your toilet paper alone but you can tucker them out and increase the paper’s chances of survival. Play also promotes a healthy relationship between cat and owner, so it’s never a bad idea!