Why do cats love boxes so much?
This is a fact we all know. Boxes are for felines just like air is for living. They simply love these cardboard rectangles, and most of us are fascinated by this, but we don’t have a clear explanation for why it happens. This is just like an unwritten rule of the universe.
The chances are that if you are a cat owner, you took notice of this and acted accordingly. Now you probably have a couple of boxes randomly placed in your home because you feel like your cat needs them. And in reality, they really do! With every new box, they get more and more excited.
So, it is clear that this is definitely a cat thing. But why? What creates this fascination? Today you are about to discover the answer to these questions. Most of them are based on observations, and we are here to present to you all that we know.
Let’s figure out this mystery together!
They love hunting
Maybe they are our little and spoiled indoor overlords, but deep down, our beloved cats still have that hunter instinct in them. Tell us a better way to practice their sneak attacks than using boxes.
In the wild, they have trees and vegetation to keep them hidden, and inside homes, they have boxes. Waiting for the perfect moment to pounce is not that easy if you have no place to hide.
Now, look at your regular cardboard box. It is perfectly sized and cozy for any cat planning a sneak attack. It helps them to stay out of sight when they need to silently observe their “prey.” Most of the time this is your leg, and as soon as you pass by, your cat will jump out of the box and bite you.
If you ever wondered why they do that, well now you have the answer. They are still little hunters, and there is no way to make them forget their wild origins.
Avoiding the world
We are sure that you had those days when all you wanted to do was curl up under a blanket and ignore the world. Are we right? Well, this is a feeling that your cat can also get and their perfect retreat for days like this are cardboard boxes.
Having guests over, moving furniture around, or cleaning the house might seem completely mundane activities for you but our cat might not think the same. All of these can stress them a lot and the way they cope with difficult times like this is by hiding. They want to be in a safe place because this is what creates a calmer atmosphere for them.
Also, if they are annoyed by a new pet or even by you, they might take the same approach. Unlike humans, cats aren’t exactly great at conflict resolution. You can’t have a heart-to-heart conversation with your cat and simply work things out. Your cat has two main options: fight or flee.
And now, boxes offer the perfect escape. a quiet, enclosed space where they can feel safe and in control, what can be better than this? In the absence of a box, they might choose to stay under the bed. So, which one do you prefer? Better have some boxes around!
Warmth
You bought one of those expensive fluffy pet beds for your feline, and guess what? They hate it. Maybe hate is a word that is too big, but they don’t like it at all. They smelled it, tried to take a nap on it, and in the end, decided that cardboard boxes are superior. How is this possible?
Cats are simple creatures that love warm places. They are on a never-ending quest of searching for the coziest, toastiest spots to curl up in. We humans prefer keeping our homes around 68°F–75°F, but science tells us that cats actually want a much warmer range, somewhere between 86°F and 100.4°F! This is too hot for you but perfect for them.
Believe it or not, cardboard is a surprisingly good insulator that maintains the natural heat of the cat creating the comfort that they need. It is just like a heater blanket that doesn’t use electrical power. This is amazing because you don’t have to pay anything for it!
It is comfy and secure
For a cat, those boxes you might think are useless are not just some simple boxes. They are the dream hideout. With those walls, your feline friend might feel like they have their own fortress.
In the wild, cats seek out dark, enclosed spaces for protection, but inside our homes, they usually rely on cardboard boxes. The best thing about them is that they are open and if they sense danger or they are simply curious about the noises, they can pop up their heads and check out the surroundings.
So, next time you find your cat inside the box curled up, eyes half-closed you will know the reason why. This is their tiny safe space.
Play area
For you, a cardboard box is just a cardboard box. You use it for storage, and that is all. But for your cat, oh boy, for them boxes are a very significant thing. We already enlisted a couple of reasons but there are more and maybe the most important one is that boxes are the perfect playground.
Give a cat a box, and they will be entertained for days! Biting, chewing, scratching, and zooming in and out like never before. One of the reasons cats love boxes so much is that they provide the perfect outlet for their natural instincts.
scratching? No problem. The box is perfect for that. Biting? Once again perfect? Hiding and hunting? We don’t even have words to describe how effective a box can be for this.
But the best part is that compared to your expensive couch, a box is completely disposable! Your cat can literally shred it into pieces, and nothing bad will happen. costly repairs? There is no need for this for a cardboard box. You can just replace it, and you are all set.
Sleeping
Well, after you’ve read all of this, it is easy to understand why your cat prefers to sleep in boxes. These tiny creatures are notorious for choosing to sleep in the strangest places. The bathroom sink, behind the wardrobe, in the hardest accessible spaces in your home, this is just how they are, and you as their owner should respect this.
Cats want to feel safe while they are sleeping, and all of these weird spots offer them this sense of security. The more cramped the space, the safer it seems. This is the same for boxes. They have four walls that seem to protect them from anything.
So, next time you get a delivery, don’t toss the box right away. Hand it over to your cat and let them get the best nap of their life!
What does your cat think about boxes? Tell us more about your feline friend in the comments!
Need some cardboard boxes? Check these out: uBoxes Moving Boxes Medium 18x14x12-Inches
If you enjoyed reading this, we also recommend reading: 16 Tips for a Happy Cat: Simple and Effective
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