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A tortoiseshell cat sleeps curled in a heap of crumpled red plaid and holly wrapping paper with a tree behind. 12 / 24

A Tortoiseshell Cat Fell Asleep in the Wrapping Paper Mountain

AI imagetortoiseshell catwrapping papercat nap

Crumpled paper in red plaid, green holly and pinecone patterns spills across the floor, and right in the middle of it a tortoiseshell cat is sound asleep. Her eyes are closed, her ears relaxed and her dark coat nearly disappears against the shadows of the paper. Behind her the lights on the tree twinkle softly, and the quiet room is a calm contrast to the morning's flurry.

Many cats love paper because it crinkles, feels warm and makes a perfect hiding place. Napping in a nest of wrapping paper is harmless as long as the paper is clean and has no tape, tinsel or ribbon attached. Cats may sleep around twelve to sixteen hours a day, and holiday mornings can tire them out as much as anyone. Gather any bits of tape and string after the unwrapping, as they can be swallowed. If your cat keeps chewing paper, talk to your vet, because it can sometimes signal boredom or a dietary issue.

We'll call her Maple. She's the picture of holiday relaxation, a living reminder that the best part of the season is a warm, quiet place to rest. When the family begins clearing up she'll probably open one eye, glance at the mess and decide that clean-up can wait. It's a simple, sleepy snapshot of a holiday morning that has run its course, and few sights are cozier than a happy cat tucked away in the aftermath.

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