Veterinary Nurse Helen Crofts explores why cats love squeezing themselves into cardboard boxes

What is the best present to give your cat? A cardboard box is definitely up there in the top five! You can buy all the fancy toys and beds in the world but what a cat really seems to enjoy is a simple cardboard box. The hours of fun that a box can provide are endless. A cat cannot only sit in it, they can climb on it, chew it or hide behind it should the mood take them. In fact the humble box is possibly the most versatile and desirable of possessions, if you’re a cat, that is.

Leave an empty box on the floor, turn your back for a second and I can almost guarantee that your cat will have inserted themselves inside. Never mind that you may be needing to keep it for yourself to store something in. Your cat has decided that they want it and that will be that! Large or small, square or oblong, a cat will find a way to squish themselves inside.

Why do cats love boxes?

A cat’s slightly odd preference for climbing into boxes or containers no matter the size or shape, can be explained by their ancestry. Our domestic cats share ancestry with the African wildcat.

The African wildcat lives in the African Savannah, where they need to try and avoid being eaten by much bigger predators. It is a very wise idea to try and find somewhere to sleep where you are hidden from view. Likewise, it is a good idea to climb up somewhere high to keep out of harm’s way. Our own cats are still hardwired to behave in this way to keep themselves away from any perceived dangers.

For a cat, a cardboard box is brilliant because it can serve both needs. It allows them to find a safe and private place to rest, away from the busyness of modern life, such as noisy people and other pets. And, if turned on its side, it provides an elevated place to sit and watch the world go by.

Being able to feel secure is something that makes a cat very happy. So don’t tidy away those boxes, leave them out and see if your cat wants to use them. How about making it extra comfy by lining it with an old jumper? Recycling at its best! Forget the expensive plastic toys, happiness seems to come in a box. 

Why do cats like cardboard?

From a cat’s point of view cardboard is so versatile! It has great insulation properties which is why it helps to keep them warm. It is cosy, sturdy enough to help them them safe and is just the thing to chew on if the mood takes.  

Do big cats like boxes?

Lions and tigers are also known to find great joy in a humble cardboard box. Big cats in captivity have been observed using boxes in much the same way as domestic cats, with lions often seen playing with and shredding them. Boxes are a perfect addition to their enclosures. They allow the cats to explore and interact with something new and tap into their natural hunting instincts by offering opportunities to hide and pounce. When large and sturdy enough to sit in, they provide a sense of security and comfort too.

So just like they do for our domestic cats, the humble cardboard box is the perfect way to add environmental enrichment for big cats. It provides mental stimulation and an opportunity for physical activity.

Why does my cat prefer a box to their bed?

You may have bought your cat the most luxurious bed you could find, spending far more money than you had intended to, but you didn’t mind because you thought they would love it. You won’t be alone in becoming confused and quite frankly annoyed when you discover that this expensive, cosy bed has been rejected in favour of the cardboard box it came in.

It’s not your fault, you didn’t choose badly, it is simply that a cardboard box is hard to beat. This is because cats just love how it makes them feel. It is a small, enclosed space, where it is warm, gives a sense of safety and well, it feels right! Find out how to choose the perfect cat bed.

Why do cats like boxes but not cages?

Unless modified to make them more like a box, cages don’t offer the same level of comfort and privacy. Everyone can see inside for a start, so they are useless for trying to hide inside. They are made of hard metal and without lots of bedding will not keep them warm or comfortable. If your cat needs to stay in a cage, providing them with a box inside the cage to sit in or climb on top of will help them to feel much happier.