Why do cats adore playing with boxes? When people buy the cat a neat new toy, the cat is frequently more intrigued by the package it arrives in! Why do cats, however, adore boxes so much? It's well known that cats adore boxes. They believe that a basic cardboard box is superior to any other toy on the entire globe, regardless of how expensive or elaborate it may be. Most cat owners find this behavior perplexing, especially when they've recently bought a fantastic new bed or fun toy and their cat appears to prefer the packaging it came in.
Why are cats drawn to boxes?
Cats enjoy boxes for a variety of reasons, but their primary attraction is because they are small, contained environments. Cats are ambush predators, and one of their basic behaviors is to seek out little spaces where they can camouflage, pursue prey, and feel comfortable and warm. Cardboard boxes that were snug were ideal.
1 - Boxes are secured.
Cats enjoy being in enclosed spaces because they feel safe and secure there, which is why they enjoy spending their time in boxes made of cardboard. Cats use boxes as places to hide so that wolves and other predators cannot approach them through the side or the back. If the cat is inside a box, any "intruders"—such as prey, people, or other animals—must come right into their line of sight, making it impossible for them to be surprised.
Cats also enjoy boxes because they lower stress and provide a private space where your cat may observe without being noticed. Since cats frequently hide and run away from stressful situations, this is perfect for them. Because cats lack natural dispute resolution techniques, they tend to run away from their issues. Another explanation for why cats choose boxes is the sense of security provided by the private, contained environment.
2 - Boxes are excellent hunting hides.
Boxes offer cover, which can allow cats an opportunity to sneak up on their prey and catch them off guard. If you live with numerous cats, you've probably witnessed one cat concealing itself in a box while the other waits for an unaware second cat to pass by.
3 - Cats stay warm in boxes.
Cats enjoy warm environments—warmer than most people do. This may be a result of their ancestry with cats that lived in ancient Egyptian deserts. Cats are magnetically drawn to warm places like heating vents, bright locations, and the tops of appliances, and this is undoubtedly the cause of this. Boxes help retain heat and provide cozy sleeping conditions.
4 - Cats are more secure in boxes.
Cats feel safer in boxes. They are surrounded by four walls, making it more difficult for a nearby creature to ambush them. It's amazing to think that cats can even associate being in a box with being near their mothers when they were kittens. This may lessen tension.
In fact, a 2016 study by Gourkow and Phillips on clicker instruction for shelter cats found that cats appeared to be less stressed when given boxes. This means that having a cardboard box on hand could be useful if you're taking a cat home for the first time. If there is a box waiting for your cat, he can feel right at home and much less stressed.
5 - The box is brand new and unknown.
A box's "new" quality may be all that your cat needs to get interested. Cats enjoy investigating their surroundings, so they may become delighted if you bring a toy, grocery bag, or box into the house. They must investigate every square inch of unfamiliar landmarks, even seeing if they can fit within your modified box.
This "new" component may also be the reason why cats prefer bags and paper. A brand-new crumpled-up piece of paper and bag can be particularly alluring because they offer a fresh setting for exploration.
6 - Boxes resemble sensory deprivation chambers for cats.
Few things cause a wild cat greater anxiety than being captured through animal control and hauled to an unfamiliar, noisy, and bright animal shelter. Boxes come to our aid! According to a new study, giving feral cats hiding boxes when they first enter an animal shelter helps them feel less stressed and recover from the movie faster.
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