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A cream Exotic Shorthair cat holds a shredded blue slipper in its mouth in a living room with ears pulled back. 3 / 21

The Exotic Shorthair Was Holding a Slipper That Used to Be Whole

AI imageexotic shorthairchewed slippercaught in the act

One shredded blue slipper hangs from the mouth of a cream-colored Exotic Shorthair, and the evidence is hard to explain. Her large, round brown eyes look straight up at you with a sheepish glow, her ears are tilted back, and bits of torn lining dangle from the sole. A little pile of fuzz rests on the floor at her feet.

The room behind her is a quiet mess: a wooden chair draped with clothes, a basket of laundry, a couch with a cream blanket, and scattered toys by a plant. We'll call her Pearl. She is the picture of a cat who got carried away, and she is now trying to figure out how to put the slipper back.

Cats chew for lots of reasons, including teething in kittens, boredom, stress, and the simple pleasure of the texture. Slippers smell strongly of their owner, which makes them extra interesting. The danger is swallowing pieces of fabric or foam, which can cause a blockage, so take away anything that's being shredded and offer a chew-safe toy in its place. Exotic Shorthairs are gentle, plush, and usually calm, but even the sweetest cat needs outlets for energy, such as a daily play session with a wand toy. If your adult cat suddenly starts chewing fabric often, mention it to your vet, since it can sometimes point to a health or stress issue.

Pearl keeps her grip on the slipper, round-eyed and unrepentant, quite sure that nobody will be mad for long.

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