There is a well-established myth that cats love boxes. In their eyes, no other toy, no matter how expensive or complex, can compare to a simple cardboard box. People become frustrated when they buy a new bed or toy and their cat prefers the packing process.
7 Reasons Why Cats Love Boxes
Cats have a thing with boxes of all shapes and sizes, including drawers, sinks, and laundry baskets that mimic boxes. But why do our feline pals go into such a tizzy over boxes?
1. Boxes enrich cat’s environment
If you keep your cat inside, he or she will live longer and will be less likely to contract infectious diseases or suffer from trauma-related ailments. Anxiety, eating disorders, attention-seeking, aggression, self-injury, and obsessive behaviors like excessive grooming and scratching are a few of the problems cats face when they aren’t using the litter box.
We can encourage physical activity, alleviate mental stagnation, and even prevent many of these issues by creating an enriched atmosphere. Cats of all ages need mental stimulation, but indoor cats need it more than others.
Enriched environments allow cats to create their own delightful experiences in a confined space. The goal is to provide your cat with an “abundant habitat.” There should be enough room, food, and water for the pet to have a healthy life.
Cats can satisfy their inherent desire to hunt by engaging in play and predatory actions, such as pouncing on prey. Children can be encouraged to play with prey-like toys. Frustration might set in for cats if they can’t catch their prey on occasion. Food puzzles or food balls that replicate the motion of searching for prey can promote more natural eating behavior.
2. Cats have a natural curiosity about the world around them.
It’s no secret that our feline pals have an unquenchable curiosity about the world around them. On the other hand, have you ever wondered what it is that captivates our feline friends?
Many of our cats’ distinctive pastimes are founded on their natural curiosity, such as exploring. In spite of the saying “curiosity killed the cat,” curiosity has been a driving force in the survival of their species for millennia.
From crawling into tiny crevices to following our every move to perching on high perches and soaking in the view of their surroundings, this attention can be conveyed in numerous ways. This behavior is the result of their hunting instincts, as well as those that have helped them avoid predators in the past.
It has been suggested that our pets have evolved to eat throughout the day, according to TEDEd. The reason is that their prey is usually little, thus they have to eat a lot in order to maintain their energy levels.
Our cats’ fascination with lizards and mice, as well as their penchant for poking around in tight spaces, could be explained in this way. Cats are naturally drawn to the tiny spaces between rocks and tree trunks, where their natural prey often congregates, thus they must thoroughly explore every nook and cranny they come across.
Why cats are curious about boxes?
It is also believed that our cat’s love of boxes may be linked to their instinct to hide from predators. To our cats, boxes evoke the feeling of natural hiding places, little spaces where larger predators can’t get to them. They are able to catch their prey unnoticed thanks to these positions, which keep them out of the way of their prey.
So it’s no wonder that your cat is curious about anything new in the house. Your cat is intrigued about the new object’s purpose in your home, as well as how it smells. Let your cat inspect any boxed goods you purchase and don’t be surprised when it does so!
3. Cats love boxes because they offer security
A box provides a sense of protection for cats, who are naturally drawn to them. Predators are protected in the restricted environment, making it ideal for tracking prey while remaining almost unknown.
Leave a box for your cat to play in a safe place. Make a few holes in the side to allow him to peep out or to swat at toys (or people) from the inside. Cats generally go toward little den-like locations where they may curl up for a nap and feel protected because of the warmth and safety of the cardboard box.
For cats, this is how they cope with stress, according to Tufts University professor Nicholas Dodman, an expert in feline pharmacology and animal behavior.
In a cardboard box, a cat is protected from the hazards and anxieties of open spaces, such as your living room.
Cats, like dogs, were raised in close proximity to their mother and littermates in the early stages of their lives, according to Dodman’s research.
All that closeness and warmth might lead animals to burrow under covers, make nests out of a blanket, or try to squeeze into a tiny cage as they get older.
Under the impression it’s swaddling, Dodman believes that close touch with the box’s interior releases endorphins, nature’s morphine-like substances, resulting in pleasure and stress reduction.
4. Boxes offer a safe place to take a nap
When things get tough, even cats seek safety in another cat’s den. Anxiety in cats can be exacerbated by a variety of factors, including the presence of other animals, youngsters playing, loud music or video games, or even the vacuum sweeper. Cats like to flee, hide, and slumber when things get tense.
In addition to providing secure havens for felines to rest, boxes can also be used as litter boxes. There is no surprise that cats would seek out secure havens, given that they sleep 18 to 20 hours per day.
A box is an excellent spot for a cat to slumber because it is the right size for him. The animal’s body heat is maintained by the box’s walls, which create a sense of security.
In order to rest or withdraw, every cat requires a safe and secure space. It’s important that your cat has at least two ways out if she feels threatened. Large, enclosed, and elevated spaces are preferred by most cats.
5. Cardboard is an excellent insulator.
Boxes are also a great source of insulation for cats! The little space provided by cardboard encourages your cat to curl up and relax, creating a pleasant, warm environment. It’s vital to keep your cat warm because the ideal temperature for cats is around 37°C.
Cats prefer ambient temperatures that are greater than what the majority of humans desire. Because cardboard is an excellent insulator, they frequently curl up in boxes to conserve body heat.
6. Cats love boxes for their texture.
Boxes’ texture is another reason why cats are drawn to them. Cardboard is an excellent toy for your cat to chew on and scratch. It’s a dream come true for them, as it is a great scratching surface. Smell and visible marks, as well as the ability to sharpen their claws and eliminate dead nails, are all benefits of this. It’s not uncommon for cat owners to swiftly shred boxes after learning how much their cats like chewing on them. You can keep your cat busy for days on end with a simple cardboard box.
7. Boxes help alleviate stress in cats.
In a study conducted in the Netherlands as shared online by Science Direct, boxes are used to alleviate stress in cats.
The outcomes of giving boxes to cats in high-stress shelters were favorable. Boxes were given to cats at high-stress shelters to test if they may lessen stress. We all know cats dislike loud noises, possibly due to their superior hearing!
The researchers had no doubt that the boxes offered to shelter cats significantly reduced tension and contributed to their tranquillity.
Making Cardboard Boxes Safe for Your Cats
There is nothing wrong with using cat-friendly boxes, but there are a few precautions you should take to ensure their safety. Before putting your cat in a box, it’s a good idea to inspect him for any remnants of staples or tape.
A firm surface can help prevent the box from tumbling on top of itself. You may want to think about using an old cardboard box for the top of your cat tree. If your cat is wary of outsiders, place the litter box in a secluded area.
Your cat will enjoy a cuddle with soft blankets and one of its favorite toys. The addition of a cat-friendly diffuser to the space could further boost its appeal. Deodorant-free and drug-free mist is dispersed by this tranquilizer in a safe and secure atmosphere, mimicking the scents of cats. This is a signal that tells the cat to take a nap, much like in her native language.
Developing a cat’s love of boxes is essential. When cats are acting off, wanting a little additional warmth, or just want to have some fun, boxes are the perfect “toys” for them.
The fact is that cats’ boxes have evolved into a haven for them, so it’s best to leave them alone whenever possible. There are many ways they might transform their safe refuge into something else entirely. As for taking a picture of how adorable they are, that’s acceptable.
Conclusion
Many cats enjoy playing with empty cardboard boxes, whether they belong to a household or not. Cats love to hide out in boxes of all shapes and sizes. They use them to hide, attack and grab some shut-eye. “Why do cats love boxes?” is a subject you’ve certainly wondered at some point.
A cat’s safe haven, hunting refuge, warmth, and distinctive and fascinating addition to your home are all provided by boxes.
Because of the four walls, cats feel safe in a box because a predator can’t come in from the side. Cats may even associate a box with their early days as kittens. Boxes lowered the level of tension. Because of this, bringing a new cat home may benefit from using a cardboard box. Your cat’s anxiousness may be reduced by giving him a place to rest and warmth.
With all the mentioned reasons, indeed, cats love boxes – they are a comfort zone to them. And more often than not, you will catch your feline friend chewing on them.
