Why do cats like boxes?
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Have you ever seen a toddler play more happily with the gift wrapping than with the gift itself? It’s similar to when you’ve spent hundreds on a cat jungle – but you furry friend would rather play with the box!
Why do cats like boxes so much? It seems like another one of those quirky behaviors that you’ve come to love but scratch your head about. Thank goodness we’re here to clear up some of the mystery:
Cats like boxes (and bags) because they’re doing what comes naturally
Cat in a box
- Instinctively seeking shelter and safety.An Amazon box on the living room floor can represent a place of protection to your kitty. It’s so “a-mews-ing” to watch her squeeze herself into a very tight-fitting box.Butit’s the same instinct that causes wild felines to seek safety from predators or potential threats in an enclosed space.
- Getting in touch with his hunting skills.Your precious tabby retains that feral instinct to hunt small prey.For this reason,cats like to be in boxesbecause they’re fantastic hiding spots. They make it easy for him to pretend he’s stalking and ambushing unsuspecting quarry.
- Claiming territory.As you know,kitties mark their territory with their scent.Luckily,you cat won’t be claiming his box by spraying it (at least, we hope not!)Rather,he’ll use the scent glands in various parts of his body, including his paws. So when he escapes for a nap into his private box, he rubs his scent on it and says, “This is mine.” Don’t you wish you could do the same thing somewhere in your house?
- Bags smell good.Your kitty has an excellent sense of smell and may be drawn to the tastes and odors that are left behind in a used food shopping bag. This is especially true if it’s meat or fish.Whilethis may not our cup of tea, it’s just a fact that somecats like bags!
Cats are creatures of comfort
Cat sleeping in box
- Leave me alone!Most cats have a strong sense of purr-sonal privacy and go off on their own to hide or sleep.Cats like to sit and sleep inboxes because they provide a secluded area where they can relax away from the other doings in your house.Sincethey tend to nap 12-16 hours a day, this hidden, safe spot to nap is a luxury they love and appreciate.
- Cats crave warmth.You’ve probably noticed that your furry friend likes to stay warm. If you keep your house environment cool, that can send her searching for a cozy place.Therefore, cats like boxesbecause the cardboard traps their body heat and the confined space acts as an insulator.
- Gotta reduce that stress!Felines like the texture of a cardboard box, which iscomfortable for kneadingand scratching. They feel calmer and more at home.Moreover, tests have shown that cats who have been in shelters or vet clinics find that being able to hide inside boxes or perch on top of them for a better view makes them feel more secure and experience less stress.
- Getting away from it all.Like humans, cats don’t like confrontation. This can be tough if something’s going on at your house to produce anxiety or hostility. For disagreements between pets, too much noise or other causes, your cat may find that a box is the perfect place to retreat.
Going from “prey” to “play”!
Cat playing in box
- Curiously, cats just plain enjoy boxes!They pretend they’re out in the wild and hunting down their next meal. They enjoy the opportunity to jump, climb, chew, scratch, hide and explore.Likewise, they love the attention they get from you!
So go with the flow and make your kitty happy – give him a box! It will help him fulfill his natural instincts, feel safe and secure, enjoy some privacy and stimulate his curiosity.Even more important,it will provide hours of “mew-tual” entertainment and welcome laughter!
What could be more “paw-some” than that?
Box-ing tips
- Cats like boxesthat are snug (but not too tight) and cozy. They prefer a physical connection to the walls of the box.
- Taking cues from your tabby, consider trimming the flaps off the edges, or cut out a shape that makes it easy for them to get in and out.
- Keep in mind that cardboard is purr-fect for scratching and biting, so be prepared for destruction of the box!
- Put a box next to your cat’s litter box. This provides a great space to for your point-eared pal to hide where you can find her easily (as opposed to searching the entire house for a secret hideaway).
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We invite you to continue exploring new ways to enrich the lives of your cats with us here at Banixx. We hope you’ll come back to ourblogto learn more about how to keep your purr-fect, furball friend happy and healthy. If, on the other hand, you are interested inhow to stop food aggressionor maintain yourcat’s teeth, yes, we cover that too. Or are you interested in more quirky items? such aswhy cats kneador whydoesmy cat get hairballs, or even, what’s with theundeniable magic of Catnip?we’ve got those peculiar questions answered too!
Here’s to a year filled with purrs, play, and the joy of shared moments with our furry companions!
Sources:
https://www.petmd.com/cat/behavior/why-do-cats-like-boxes
https://www.livescience.com/why-do-cats-like-boxes
https://outwardhound.com/furtropolis/cats/why-do-cats-love-boxes
https://cats.com/why-do-cats-like-boxes
https://www.wired.com/2015/02/whats-up-with-cats-and-boxes/
