Why Does Your Cat Love Cardboard Boxes So Much?
No matter the quantity and variety of toys a cat has, our feline friends will always be drawn to a simple cardboard box. But why does your cat love cardboard boxes so much? The answer lies mainly in the instinctive behavior developed over the millennia to hide from predators in the wild.
Does your cat love cardboard boxes?
These are some of the reasons that explain your little feline’s love for his cardboard box:
Instinctive behavior
As we have seen, one of the reasons your cat loves cardboard boxes stems from a completely instinctive behavior that these animals have developed over the course of evolution.
This behavior, that is, hiding in confined places, has allowed cats to go unnoticed by predators present in nature.
Cardboard boxes or small spaces give cats a sense of security. In this sense, hiding they feel they cannot be attacked; for this reason, that small place becomes an oasis of tranquility for the cat. By doing so, cats also have greater control of the field of view, and are able to see animals or people approaching in advance.
Curiosity
Curiosity is one of the most distinctive characteristics of a cat’s personality, regardless of breed. That natural curiosity, combined with the need to hide, makes them feel hopelessly attracted to cardboard boxes.
It should be noted that this curiosity is not limited only to the boxes, but also to any object, person or animal that first arrives in the house. The cat will come to smell and check what it is and, if it is an open box, it will enter it for sure.
Freddo
Cold weather is another reason your cat likes cardboard boxes. The ideal temperature for cats is between 30 and 36 degrees ; if the temperature is lower, they will look for a warmer place, such as cardboard boxes. It is important to remember that cardboard is one of the best thermal insulation materials.
Jump
The boxes also serve as an ideal jumping point. From the inside, the cat will be able to observe everything that happens around him, and if something arouses his curiosity, he will jump on it. In nature, cats jump to catch prey, but in the comfort of home they do so simply to play and surprise.
A cat loves cardboard boxes because they are a perfect refuge
Cats are animals that naturally love solitude. Therefore, cardboard boxes are ideal for isolating yourself from others, be they humans or other animals.
Furthermore, these boxes are particularly practical when the kitten is in a situation from which he wishes to escape; in these cases, what better place than his favorite hiding place and where he feels he has everything under control, namely his cardboard box.
Less stress
In recent years, it has been shown that another major reason cats love cardboard boxes is stress. In this regard, cats who have access to cardboard boxes suffer much less stress than those who cannot play and jump in these objects.
On the other hand, boxes not only make cats safer, but also improve their bond with their surroundings and allow them to relate positively to other animals and humans.
Cardboard: perfect material for playing
Cardboard is a unique material that not only offers cats warmth and shelter, but also allows them to play, it can be torn and bitten; all very fun actions for cats. At the same time, it offers the ideal surface for nailing and stretching muscles.
In practice, there are many reasons why cats prefer a simple cardboard box to other toys. Instinct and behavior, along with more practical issues like heat, are some of the reasons cats love these boxes.
Finally, cats love this material and the boxes are the ideal place for them to play and where they feel protected from any threat from the outside world.
