Cardboard boxes rekindle the wild instincts of felines, who prefer sheltered places to hide when hunting and protect themselves from predators.
So much money spent on toys just for your cat to be more entertained by a simple cardboard box. Has it ever happened to you?
According to cat behavior experts, boxes satisfy several deep evolutionary needs of cats. Enclosed spaces provide cats with opportunities to hunt, hide, explore and dealing with stress and can even provide clues about the animal’s emotional well-being.
According to Mikel Delgadofeline behavior consultant and researcher at Purdue University, boxes activate instincts shared by all cats, regardless of personality.
Outdoor cats act as both predators and prey, constantly looking for protected locationssuch as bushes or narrow corners, from where they can chase birds or insects while remaining hidden from hawks, foxes and other threats.
Indoors, the behavior persists and a cardboard box becomes a perfect location, with walls for cover and a top opening for surprise attacks.
Boxes are also powerful sources of comfort. Danielle Gunn-Mooreprofessor of feline medicine at the University of Edinburgh, notes that cats’ attraction to enclosed spaces starts from birthwhen cats look for quiet, hidden places for their litters.
“Their first experience will be in a safe and closed space“, he explains. Access to boxes significantly reduces cortisol, the stress hormone, in newly rescued cats, helping them adapt more quickly to unfamiliar environments.
For domestic cats, a new box is a new object within a territory they know intimately. “For a curious cat, the box It’s something fun and new to investigate”, explains Delgado to .
Intrigued cats can enter the box to explore, play or rest. But the meaning behind the act of hiding in the box depends a lot on the context. A relaxed cat dozing in a box is behaving normally, but a huddled cat with wide eyes may be acting up. signal fear or stress.
How cats react to new environments or sudden changes is shaped early in life. Experts emphasize that “socialization window“, which exists between two and nine weeks of age, is crucial.
Kittens exposed to positive interactions with humans, other animals and everyday noises tend to grow into confident adults. Cats that have had a difficult start in life or are poorly socialized may resort more to hiding places, such as boxes, when they are overwhelmed or scared.
For these cats, offering safe spaces to retreat is essential, but the constant habit of hiding can be a warning sign of underlying anxiety.
In these cases, Delgado recommends consultation of a veterinarian or an animal behavior specialist who can help identify stress factors and meet the cat’s emotional needs.
