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A spotted Bengal cat sits next to a huge pile of shredded newspaper in a living room, showing a hint of teeth. 2 / 32

The Newspaper Was Perfectly Fine Until the Bengal Got Bored

AI imagebengalshredded paperliving room

A heap of paper strips is piled almost as tall as the sofa, and the spotted Bengal beside it wants you to know he is not sorry. His golden eyes are sharp, his whiskers are fanned out, and the corner of his mouth is pulled back in a small, toothy grimace that could be a grin or a warning. Warm light from a nearby window catches the rosettes on his coat.

The living room behind him tells its own story: a laundry basket overflowing with socks, a leafy plant, a slipper abandoned on the floor. Every strip of paper looks carefully torn, as if the job had taken real concentration.

Bengals are famous for being athletic, curious, and very smart, and that combination needs an outlet. A bored Bengal will invent his own projects, and paper is a favorite because it crackles, tears, and flies around. Daily play helps a lot. Puzzle feeders, climbing shelves, and wand toys that let a cat stalk and pounce can burn off the energy that would otherwise go to your mail. Offer a safe tearing option such as a cardboard box or a scratcher, and pick up any paper with staples or ink you would not want swallowed. Talk to your vet if a cat starts eating paper rather than just shredding it.

The cat, of course, has his own explanation. The paper started it, and he merely finished the job with great enthusiasm.

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