You just bought your cuddly feline companion an assortment of brand-new toys, but they’ve chosen to play with the cardboard box you discarded last week instead. What’s going on?
Don’t worry; your cat is only acting like a cat.
The majority of cats choose hiding in dark, comfy locations. However, boxes offer your cat more than just a peaceful place to cuddle up.
Read on for five reasons why your cat might rather slink into a box than play with those fancy new toys, as well as some recommendations for engaging their natural impulses.
They can make your cat more at ease.
Cats find comfort in dark places, such as the interior of a simple cardboard box, but not for the reasons you might imagine.
All cats are natural predators, from domesticated house cats to their larger, more predatory feline relatives.
The elevated vantage point provided by boxes and other hiding places is an essential benefit for predators pursuing prey. A box allows your cat to remain disguised while observing a spider, toy mouse, or flashing red dot that continues to dart across the floor.
Dr. Cherice Roth, chief veterinary officer of Fuzzy, an online platform that remotely connects pet owners with doctors, explains, “They are actually more at ease in dark environments where they can see what’s around them.”
Even creatures at the top of the food chain, such as cats, take comfort in being aware of their environment, whether they are hiding in a box or behind Saharan plants.
Miniature physicists at heart, cats
Because these basic cardboard cubes can teach cats about physics, cats also flock towards boxes.
However, this is not specific to boxes. Have you ever witnessed a cat flip a glass with impunity? According to Roth, playing with things can help cats grasp the physics of their environment, which is a crucial skill for predators.
Some studies even imply that cats comprehend the law of cause and effect. A 2016 study involving 30 domestic cats revealed that the cats could determine the presence or absence of an object based solely on the presence or absence of sound. Researchers believe that this capacity may be a crucial element of feline hunting behavior.
Boxes may aid in the relief of stress.
Your cat’s ability to hide in a box may also assist reduce any stress she encounters. Common sources of stress for domestic cats include:
Changes in their surroundings, such as relocating, affect them.
The addition of a new family member, such as a spouse, child, or pet.
Variations in their routine, such as a shift in their feeding schedule
Lack of intellectual and social stimulation
Certain odors and sounds, such as construction noises, scented candles, and fragrances, can be irritating.
Problems with their litter box arrangement
According to a 2014 study, boxes may assist shelter cats deal with stressors upon arrival. Researchers divided 19 cats from a shelter into two groups, one of which had access to a concealing box and the other of which did not.
Comparing cats with and without a hiding box over a two-week trial period, those without a hiding box exhibited greater stress levels and more stress score variability.
In certain instances, reducing your cat’s stress level may be as simple as removing stressors such as loud noises or pungent odors. Providing ample opportunities for play and social interaction might also aid in the management of their persistent stress.
Boxes can fulfill their need to itch.
According to Roth, cats tend to favor materials that allow them to bury their claws in, and cardboard boxes are ideal for this purpose.
“Again, this is all a result of predatory conduct. Knowing how deeply, how far, and how quickly to sink those claws into something to either immobilize it or kill it is the name of this game “Roth argues.
Roth suggests providing a range of textures for your cat to love, such as blankets and paper stacks, to see what else satisfies their wants to scratch and shred.
Jessica Sewell, regional technician and associate director for VCA Animal Hospitals, recommends affordable cardboard scratchers laced with catnip for cats that enjoy catnip.
5. It’s simply a characteristic of their personality
Cats, like humans, have distinct personalities, and not all cats are interested by boxes.
Roth adds that some cats will conceal more than others. She adds that if you frequently discover your cat hiding in a box, you may have an introverted cat.
Sewell warns that abrupt changes in your cat’s behavior, such as a new propensity to seek out boxes and other hiding places, could indicate a medical problem.
6. Health concerns
Diabetes or kidney problems could be the cause of a cat’s rapid withdrawal and preference for tiny spaces.
Additional indications of an underlying health problem include:
Unusual lassitude
Changes in grooming habits
Not eating or drinking
Urinating or defecating in hiding spots or elsewhere outside the litter box is unacceptable.
Important: If you detect changes in your cat’s behavior or if they don’t seem like themselves, you should schedule an appointment with a veterinarian.
Playtime tips
According to Sewell, enrichment is just as essential for your feline partners as it is for your canine mates, despite the common perception that cats are independent and aloof.
Roth suggests using a cat’s predator-prey drive to stimulate play and give diversity to their daily routine. To stimulate your pet’s natural prey drive, consider the following:
Play difficult to get Hide and allow your cat to locate you, or provide catnip toys in their preferred hiding places.
Freeze up like a mouse. Try freezing while actively playing with your cat to engage their predatory drive.
Consider including hunting games in their regimen. Roth believes that creating a trail of rewards leading to a hidden catnip toy is an example of a hunting activity that encourages cats to use senses other than their eyes and ears.
Make their surroundings more engaging. Attach objects on fishing poles or around hiding places. This can help keep kids occupied while you’re away.
Again, what your cat finds intriguing is highly dependent on their personality, so you may have to experiment to find games and strategies that stimulate their interest.
The top cat toys
Shoshi Parks/Insider photograph
If you want your cat to play with something other than a box, we’ve compiled a list of the greatest cat toys that will emotionally and physically occupy your feline buddy.
Kong Refillables Beaver Catnip Toy, $3.30 on Chewy or Petco, is the best catnip toy.
Hartz Just for Cats Kitty Frenzy, available for $7.19 on Amazon and Walmart, is the best mouse cat toy.
Smartykat Leapin’ Laser 2-in-1 Wand, available for $4.92 on Chewy and Walmart, is the best laser cat toy.
The best electronic cat toy is the Hexbug Nano Robotic Cat Toy, available for $7 on Chewy and Amazon.
Frisco Wire Teaser Cat Toy, beginning at $2.26 at Chewy and Petsmart, is the best cat teaser toy.
Cats are naturally inquisitive, so you can create a stimulating environment for your feline buddy by giving a variety of textures and opportunities for them to use their predatory instincts.
A fascination with empty cardboard boxes may seem peculiar to you, but don’t be surprised if your cat walks away from a brand-new toy to investigate its packaging.
If your cat suddenly loses interest in eating, burrows into tight spaces, and refuses to come out of hiding, it may be worthwhile to consult with a veterinarian.
Steph Coelho is a writer.
Freelance Author