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Calico cat sitting beside a large pile of shredded newspaper strips on a wooden floor, looking away from the mess. 16 / 37

The Morning Paper Never Stood a Chance Against This Calico

AI imagecalicocaught in the actnewspaper

The morning paper never stood a chance. What is left of it now forms a tall, tangled heap of thin strips on the living room floor, with a few larger torn sheets scattered at the edges like survivors. Sitting just beside the pile is a calico with a bright white chest, orange and black patches on her face, and golden-green eyes fixed on a point somewhere across the room. Her ears are angled back a bit. She would very much prefer that nobody connect her to the paper.

Shredding paper is a surprisingly common hobby for cats. Tearing at something with claws and teeth mimics the way wild cats handle prey, and the crinkly sound and movement make paper especially fun. For many indoor cats, this kind of destruction is a sign of pent-up energy or boredom. Daily interactive play is one of the best remedies. A feather wand, a toy on a string used under supervision, or a ball that rolls unpredictably can give a cat the chase and capture she craves. Rotating toys every few days keeps them feeling new. Food puzzles that make a cat work for treats also tire out the mind. Small bits of newspaper are not toxic, but it is best to sweep up the shreds so they do not get eaten.

Catching up on the news will have to wait until tomorrow. The headlines, at least in this house, belong to one small and very proud calico.

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