Revealed: The Real Reason Cats Like Boxes

Cats and boxes, eh? If your owner happens to be a cat (nope, that is not a typo), chances are you’re not the only one in your household who looks forward to an Amazon delivery. Cats absolutely LOVE boxes. This is no secret. Go ahead, leave a shoebox unattended, and watch the insane cat madness unfold.

You’ve likely heard the saying, "one man’s trash is another man’s treasure." Apparently, this goes for cats, as well! Today, we reveal the real reasons cats like boxes so very much.

Related posts:

Hey, we’re Cat Amazing – we bring the thrill of the hunt to indoor cats with interactive treat-hunt puzzle feeders and other enrichment boredom-busters!

They’re the Purr-fect Playground for a Predatory Pet

Cats are natural predators. It is quite literally in their nature. Cardboard (and other types) boxes not only offer the ideal starting point for planning a possible ambush, but they also provide the perfect place for our feline friends to hide from any potential retaliation. Seriously, their day-to-day play can be ruthless!

Tabby cat peering inside a cardboard box.

Cats enjoy being hidden, and even their play incorporates predatory instincts, with a box being a great setting.

Boxes offer the perfect hiding spot for cats to unleash their inner ninja skills and surprise unsuspecting passersby with stealthy pounces.

The Ultimate Safety and Security

As much as Fluffy instinctually needs predatory play, cats also enjoy feeling safe and secure just as much as anyone else.

A cardboard box, as it is an enclosed space, gives your kitty just that. Whether your cat is outgoing or shy, every cat wants to feel snug and protected, and their new plaything provides that security. It’s like their own private VIP lounge.

And let’s face it, boxes are like little stress-busters for cats. They offer a hidden fortress where your feline friend can be the ultimate stealth observer, blending into the shadows like a furry ninja.

When life gets too dramatic and stressful, cats don’t do drama—they do disappearing acts! No built-in conflict resolution needed, just a cozy box to hide from life's little annoyances.


Perfect Napping Spots for Your Furry Friends

Another reason why cats adore boxes? They're the purr-fect napping spots! With cats clocking in up to 18 hours of beauty sleep a day, finding that cozy corner is a big deal.

Cat in a cardboard box surrounded by a field of grass and daises.

Cardboard is an excellent insulator, making boxes the perfect little hideaway for your feline friend to curl up and  snooze in.

The snug confines of a box provide a warm and secure sanctuary where cats can curl up, relax, and dream of endless fields filled with catnip.

They Have Better Imaginations than We Do

For you and me, a box is just a box, but for your cat, that box can become anything their kitty heart desires. Although cats may have started off as outdoor creatures, many people now choose to keep theirs indoors (and for good reason).

Kitten surrounded by a castle of cardboard boxes.

This limits the number of things to do and places they could potentially be. That box is basically a kitty cat opportunity made up of four, somewhat sturdy walls.

Cats are adventurous by nature, and boxes serve as gateways to uncharted territories, sparking curiosity and embarking on daring expeditions.

Boxes Can Fulfill Their Solitary Needs

Unlike dogs, even the sweetest, most cuddly cat tends to need a little bit of me-time every now and then - and even more so if there are other pets or children in the home. Felines do have their solitary habits, and a safe, warm, and cozy box fits that bill oh-so-nicely.

For the most part, animals are just as complex and individual as we are. But many would agree that this is especially true when it comes to our kitty companions. Each one is unique, with their own wants, needs, and preferences.

Nevertheless, the insane love of boxes seems to be fairly universal in the cat community, however much their reasoning behind the obsession differs. Regardless of the why—boxes make them happy, and with all of the joy (and undeniable laughter) that they bring to our everyday lives, they deserve that much at the very least.

They Help Cats To Adapt

A recent study from the University of Utrecht uncovered another delightful reason cats adore boxes. The study involved a group of shelter cats, about half being gifted cozy boxes and the other half being left box-less.

Two kittens cuddling in a cardboard box.

The results? The box-loving cats actually recovered faster and adapted to their new digs more swiftly. This just goes to show that boxes are like magical portals for cats, helping them navigate change with ease!

Toy Box Transformation

Cats see boxes as magical portals that can transform into thrilling play structures, turning mundane cardboard into exhilarating playgrounds.  It's no wonder we often see cats jumping in and out of boxes, bobbing their heads up and down as if they're prancing around in the most captivating castle ever. 

No matter how old they are, cats just never seem to tire of this simple joy. We could all learn a little something from our feline friends about finding happiness in the small things in life.

How Amazing Cat Got Started

This brings us to the story of Amazing Cat, the brainchild born out of a simple, whimsical idea: to transform an ordinary box into a stimulating cat toy that can be used over and over again.

It all started when our founder, a self-proclaimed cat whisperer, and unabashed feline enthusiast, noticed that their own cats were constantly more entertained by the packaging than the actual toys inside.

Taking inspiration from their cats’ endless fascination, they decided to design a product that combined the simplicity of a box with the allure of an enchanting, reusable playground.

Amazing Cat’s first prototype was a humble cardboard creation with cut-out doors and windows – a maze for fast paws to catch tricky treats! The prototype proved to be an immediate hit among the founder's own furball, and led to the creation of the toys you see here today.

Read the full story here: THE CREW & OUR STORY

Check out our top-selling interactive cat toy: SLIDERS: THE EVER-CHANGING

TREAT PUZZLE

Ready to Understand Your Cat Even More?

Cat Amazing has a FREE cat enrichment guide that will give you clever cat tips and tricks to keep your feline entertained, engaged, and healthy.

This complete guide is packed with 22 illustrated pages covering Play, Climbing, Hiding Scratching & more!

Learn how to craft an indoor cat playground with our comprehensive guide, covering everything from wands to drones, tunnels to trees, catios to scratchers.

Whether you're a new or seasoned cat owner, you're sure to discover something new. Download now for creative ideas and activities to craft the perfect indoor cat room and cozy corner for your feline friend.

Check out our full line of interactive cat toys for cats and kittens of all ages and sizes: CAT AMAZING TOYS

And don't forget to follow us on social media for more fun cat content and updates:

Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

Pin the post:


2 comments

  • By exploring the innate curiosity of cats and their love for boxes, we can unveil the charming mysteries of feline behavior. There seems to be a connection between security, stress relief, and the allure of enclosed spaces, which sheds light on the whimsical world of our feline friends. This is a delightful read for any cat enthusiast.

    Cat Exotica
  • My cat, Buster, has been in love with your activity boxes for over three years. He has figured out the most complex ones and we are eagerly awaiting the new one.
    Your products have greatly enhanced both of our lives. Buster is 14 and a diabetic, insulin dependent, cat. I got him as a rescue at age 8. He is signed up to preview new box. Thanks.

    Debbie

Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published