PawCulture : Those empty boxes may be trash to you, but your cat can’t get enough of them. What’s up with Fluffy’s affinity for cardboard castles?
There are several reasons why cats love boxes, but the big one is safety and security, says Marilyn Krieger, a certified cat behavior consultant and owner of TheCatCoach.com.
“All animals have different coping mechanisms,” she says. “This is a cat’s way of dealing with stress. If she’s feeling overwhelmed or in trouble, she can retreat to a safe, enclosed space where she can observe, but can’t be seen.”
In fact, a recent study in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science found that boxes can actually help reduce a cat’s stress levels. MORE
“Safety and security” may be one theory, but I don’t think it really explains why these guys like boxes, too:
http://thechive.com/2014/05/23/big-cats-like-boxes-too-10-photos/
🙂
So why do little kids like boxes? Miine loved them, but never napped in them.
Cats are attracted to boxes the way tornadoes are attracted to trailer parks.
All my cats are cardboard box aficionados. Two cats and one box always turns into a comedy routine. Three cats and one box, an old-school rumble.
A large paper bag laying on it’s side is just as
good as a box, and then you scratch on the end of
the bag. Cut a hole in the end of the paper bag and
you have a boxing match.
My kid at 7 has finally given up her TV box house.
She never napped in hers either.
My cat loves plastic grocery bags. And boxes.
Mouse catcher= tortilla chip bag laying on its side with chips + 1 alert cat = FUN! 👍
@Sahara: “My cat loves plastic grocery bags.”
Our indoor tom disappeared once. We practically tore the house apart looking for him, finally tracking him down to a tiny plumbing access hole in a wall in the basement. Turns out he was playing with a plastic grocery bag and ended up with the handles around his waist… he couldn’t get away from the terrible noisy plastic bag monster that was always right on his tail, no matter how fast he ran.
That was five years ago. To this day he still runs for cover any time he hears a plastic bag. Treat bag not included, though.
will these work for liberals?
Cats are forever in the “terrible two’s. Compare what they do and
don’t like to a 2 year old kid
and see the similarities.
My cat LIVES for boxes, only he doesn’t like going in them so much as he likes jumping on TOP of them. He’s a regular mountaineer. 😉
Cats observe without being seen. Our cat gets concealed and watches who comes up the driveway. Smart. Be the cat.
More likely they’re just sneaky bastards lol. BTW the big cats in boxes are pretty cute. Just like a little kitty but they’ll bite your throat out.
I’m glad this was posted. I’m picking up my new tuxedo cat from the vet today. I’ll be sure to have a box for him to help him adjust.
A lot more fun than the pussy march.
Cats like boxes for the same reason kids like to build forts, tree houses and make tents. It’s fun!
I’ve only had four cats in the last 30 years. All were adults when I either inherited them, one from a veterinarian and one stray, who was the most lovable. All were unique.
Mine jump in on the off chance that I might want to use it.