Imagine this: You just received a package, and before you can even throw the box away, your cat has already claimed it as their new favorite hangout spot. Sound familiar? Well, you may be wondering why your cat does that. There are a variety of reasons that may make your cat indulge in that strange and cute behaviour.
Cats find the boxes a secure place to retreat to. They find it a safe place and a great means to play with. They can also find it a great option to scratch and chew at. They may also do it out of curiosity.
Why Do Cats Love Cardboard Boxes?
If you have watched cat videos all over the internet, you would have found this unique feline behavior unique in its own right. Cats, indeed, have a few of their favorite tasks—sunbathing, bird watching, and, of course, sitting inside the boxes.
Well, there are a few scientifically proven reasons why cats may like to sit in boxes.
Cozy & Warm: Why Boxes Feel Like a Safe Haven
Boxes offer much-needed comfort for your cat. In fact, they offer better insulation. Cardboard boxes can be quite warm—partly because they offer an enclosed space and partly because of the material they are made of.
Your cat will find it very easy to curl up and relax. Cats feel comfortable at around 37°C, and the cardboard boxes provide the right temperature in this context. Experts from Hill’s Pet Nutrition claim that cats are comfortable between 30 to 38 degrees C.
Boxes Awaken Feline Instincts
Wild cats have been both prey and hunters. If you look at them or their cousins in the wild, like tigers, you will find that they love hiding when hunting.
Cats like boxes so much because they give them an easier option to hide, pounce, and catch their prey. A box gives them the right option to attack their prey and then jump back to hiding. Of course, they do not need to do that at home, but that is how their instinct is.
Cats See Boxes as Protection
This, again, is their instinctive behavior from the wild. They find anything with a border or boundary to be safer and think it will keep them safe from dangerous situations.
Your cat may even find a two-dimensional box design to be safer. That gives cats a feeling of being secure.
Scratch, Chew, Play: The Fun Side of Cardboard Boxes
Your cat may see the box as a good toy for play. Cats love scratching and chewing on things. From this point of view, a cardboard box is precisely what cats need. The feel that a box gives is definitely the right option.
A box of cardboard is the perfect texture that your cat would love. In addition to scratching, it also gives your cat a great option to chew and claw at. If you find your cat chews on a cardboard box, make sure that it just chews at it and does not eat it.
They Can’t Resist Exploring
Cats are curious animals by nature. They explore practically everything around them. As the parent of a mischievous cat for over 10 years, I have witnessed this multiple times.
They will literally “poke their noses ” into just about anything that interests them. Maybe it is the unique smell of the box that entices them, or perhaps just the presence of the box in the room. They may try to find out if it can be their new bed or a new thing to sit in.
Do you need to be careful with the cardboard box?
Well, the material used in the cardboard box is never dangerous for your cat. However, preventing your cat if you find it eating the box pieces would be advisable.
If you notice your cat playing with a box, make sure to remove the harmful parts of the box. This can include staples, strings, and other elements that form part of the box.
Because your cat loves cardboard boxes, it should never mean you can shut the cat inside the box. It can make your cat feel claustrophobic. Leave the box open and let your cat do whatever it wants to do with the box. You can even put a cozy blanket in the box to help it get comfort and security.
Final Thoughts: Should You Let Your Cat Keep That Box?
Well, it should not come as a surprise if you find your cat loving your cardboard box. Cats love boxes for a variety of reasons. If you find your cat staying day in and day out in your cardboard box, you need not worry about it at all. Cats find it a great place to hide away, enjoy the warmth, and exercise their feline instincts.
So, next time you find the cardboard box and your cat in close harmony, you need not worry. It is an excellent option for your cat to enjoy adventure, coziness, and comfort.
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