Why Do Cats Love Boxes? Security, Warmth and Stress Relief

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 20, 20264 min read

Buy your cat an expensive bed, and it may choose the cardboard box it came in. The affection of cats for boxes is a standing joke, but there is real science behind it, and you can use it to make your cat happier.

Security

Cats are predators and prey. Enclosed spaces protect their backs and sides and limit approach directions. A box offers a hiding place where the cat can observe without being seen. See why do cats hide.

Stress reduction

A study of cats in an animal shelter found that cats given hiding boxes showed lower stress levels and adapted to their new environment faster than cats without boxes. Other research has found that cats that can hide cope better with change. Boxes give a sense of control.

Warmth

Cats prefer temperatures higher than people do, around the high eighties Fahrenheit for comfort. Cardboard insulates well, and a snug space traps body heat. This is one reason cats seek boxes, cupboards and laundry baskets, especially in winter. See winter safety for cats.

Ambush and hunting

A box is a perfect place to hide and pounce. Cats stalk prey from cover, and a box with a hole is a hunting blind. Many cats attack toys or ankles from boxes. See cat zoomies explained.

Scent and territory

A box soon smells of the cat, which feels familiar. Cats rub their scent on box edges, marking it as theirs. See why do cats headbutt you.

The fit

Cats like a snug fit, which gives contact on several sides, similar to the closeness of kittens in a litter. That is why a cat may squeeze into a box that is obviously too small. A cat in a tight space is not trapped, but reassured.

Squares and other shapes

An internet trend showed that some cats sit in squares of tape on the floor. A study found that cats were as likely to sit in a drawn square, and even in an illusory square called a Kanizsa square, as in a real one. It suggests that cats like enclosed shapes, even illusions. Not all cats do it, but it shows how powerful the pull of enclosure can be.

Using boxes for enrichment

• Provide several boxes of different sizes, with doorways cut in the side.
• Make a cardboard fort with tunnels and windows.
• Hide treats inside boxes for a foraging game. See healthy cat treats.
• Rotate boxes to keep novelty.
• Place a soft blanket inside for comfort.
• Put boxes in quiet places where the cat likes to rest.
• Add to a cat tree or shelves for height. See how to choose a cat tree.

See indoor cat enrichment ideas and cat-friendly home setup.

Safety

• Remove staples, tape, plastic and labels.
• Avoid boxes that have held chemicals.
• Check for chewing, since swallowed cardboard can cause problems.
• Replace damaged boxes.
• Keep boxes away from heaters.

Boxes in new situations

Boxes are especially useful for new cats, travel and stressful events. See adopting a cat from a shelter, moving house with a cat and fireworks and thunderstorms and cats.

When a box obsession is a problem

If your cat spends nearly all its time in a box, avoids contact or stops eating, it may be stressed or ill. See the emergency warning signs guide. Use the US vet directory to find a clinic.

Why some cats ignore boxes

Not every cat loves boxes. Confident cats may prefer open perches, and some cats with arthritis find it hard to climb in and out. If your cat avoids boxes, offer a low-sided box, a soft bed with raised edges or a perch by a window. Pay attention to what your cat likes, whether a small tunnel, a basket or a shelf. See how to choose a cat tree.

Making the best box

The ideal box is slightly larger than your cat curled up, sturdy enough to hold its weight, and placed somewhere quiet but not isolated. Cut a doorway about the size of the cat's shoulders, and line the floor with a towel or a fleece blanket. Put the box near a family area, so your cat can watch the household while feeling safe. Replace it when it becomes flattened or dirty.

Boxes for multi-cat homes

In homes with more than one cat, offer several boxes, spaced out, so that each cat has a refuge and none is trapped. Tension at one box can be an early sign of conflict. See aggression between cats.

Kittens

Kittens love boxes for play and security. See kitten supplies checklist.