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A calico cat sits on a rug looking aside, next to a torn cardboard tissue box and crumpled tissues on the floor. 6 / 26

The Tissue Box Never Stood a Chance Against This Calico

AI imagecalico cattissue boxliving room

Clementine the calico has turned her head away, very slowly, as if a distant corner of the room has suddenly become fascinating. Beside her, a cardboard tissue box has been torn open, and a drift of crumpled white tissues spreads across the rug like fresh snow. One tissue still pokes out of the box like a flag. Warm lamplight falls on her patches of orange, black and white, a pair of reading glasses and a mug rest on a side table, and the whole cozy room seems to be pretending not to notice.

Calico is a coat pattern, not a breed, so you can find calicoes in many breeds and in mixed-breed cats. Like tortoiseshells, they are nearly always female, and owners often describe them as spirited and independent, though every cat has its own personality. Tissues are tempting because they are light, soft and make a satisfying ripping sound, and pulling them out one at a time mimics tearing apart prey. Cats that are bored or want attention may also learn that shredding gets a quick reaction. Try keeping tissue boxes in a closed cabinet, and offer a puzzle feeder, a cardboard scratcher or a play session with a feather toy. Small amounts of tissue are usually passed without trouble, but if a cat is eating a lot of paper, mention it to your vet.

Clementine may have lost this round, but the tissues did not stand a chance, and she knows it. She will be back on the rug by the evening, innocent again.

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