Hi, I’m Dr. Lauren! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my two adventurous cats, Pancake and Tiller.
It’s hip to be square, right?
But what about sitting in a square… is that hip too? Or potentially, even MORE hip?
Ask a cat, and the answer is likely to be a resounding YES.
But why?
Social media loves a good cat and box post. Compilations with such interesting titles include Cats vs Boxes…. Very Small Cats in Boxes, and even Big Cats Like Boxes, many. The antics, the pure joy…but what motivates this inexplicable behavior?
And as you dig deeper in trying to answer that question, you may also realize that cats aren’t just limited to boxes for fun. Indoor cats have a daily expectation of a box of a completely different kind… and of course, there’s the infamous Schroedinger’s cat and his infamous box. And for other cats, boxes provide a life-saving, stress-reducing vessel.
So, what is this cat’s obsession with the box? And how can you use a box to enrich your cat’s life?
Let’s look deeper.
Why Do Cats Like Boxes?
According to dictionary.com, a box is a container, container, or container, usually rectangular in shape, and made of various materials, usually with a lid or removable lid.
So why do cats love boxes? Possibly, blame the famous physicist Erwin Schröedinger, who inextricably linked cats to boxes, possibly continuing the magical link. Although modern science proves the cat-box connection (a neat citizen science article found that cats will sit on the incomplete outlines of boxes), the jury is still out on what’s real which is the reason for said connection. A fulfillment of the feline prey drive, which allows them to express hunting instincts is one theory. Another is that boxes provide support and a sense of safety.
For some cats, however, it doesn’t stop there. Litter boxes are both a godsend and the bane of many indoor cat owners. Unlike their cardboard brethren, these boxes often require careful selection (size matters! Bigger is better according to one study, though one found no significant preference on whether it’s covered or uncovered, but rather just clean) and rumination on placement (not so simple as it seems to fit, I sit: litter boxes should be in low-traffic areas of the house) ending with either in a clean household or a headache that deserves veterinary attention and lots of carpet cleaners. However, they are intricately related to the health of cats.
For shelter cats, boxes can provide a significant reduction in stress levels, while they await adoption. Therefore, they are an invaluable, cost-effective tool for many shelter situations. Similarly, many veterinary practices also implement a variety of box-like housing within their cat housing, to allow cats to have a more stress-free environment. (Tip: when looking for new veterinary practice for your cat, look for add-ons like these at boarding and hospital kennels for cats, and find that they’re more likely to be cat-focused!)
Make Your Cat Happy With Boxes!
How can you improve your box awareness, and enrich the life of your own furry cat through boxes? Here are some tips:
- A litter box should generally be 1.5 times the length of your cat from head to rump- though bigger may be better. For many North American cats, finding such a large box is often no easy task! Therefore, an easy, do-it-yourself, large litter box option is to purchase a plastic storage container from a hardware store, and cut a u-shaped opening in one side. Use sandpaper to remove any rough edges, and voila!
- Cardboard boxes of almost any size can make fantastic play zones for your cat. You can also order custom modular cat creations. Aldi (US supermarket) also generally releases a cheap, holiday-themed cat cardboard house several times a year, for the stylish cat in your life. Amazon and other delivery companies also often have boxes that are more than satisfactory for most cats. Be sure to remove the tape or plastic (which is a foreign body hazard!) and any staples, before giving the box to your cat.
- You can enhance playtime by cutting a hole in one side of the box, or even simply flipping it on its side, or upside down, giving your cat more ways to investigate and contact cardboard manufacturing.
However you decide to tackle the boxes and the enrichment of your cats–don’t get bogged down, or too heavy-handed, in the approach you take. The good thing about boxes is that they are readily available, generally inexpensive, and most cats are happy for any and all types of box offerings. So, try something new: make a newer, bigger litter box, find a new style of play box, or just try putting their favorite box in a new place to spice things up. And, go ahead, order the Amazon item you’re looking for. Your cat will thank you!
