Cats with Boxes What This Behavior Looks Like: Cats often love to squeeze into small, tight containers. It is very common to see a cat curl up inside a cardboard box. Even a cat that seems too big for the box will try to wriggle inside. In fact, “it’s common knowledge” that if an empty box is left out and a cat finds it, the cat will climb in and sit down. Cats do this with boxes of all sizes – tiny cats in large boxes, and large cats in tiny boxes – as if thinking, “If I fits, I sits.” They also jump into paper bags, laundry baskets, open suitcases, or even kitchen bowls and sinks. Anywhere a cat can curl up snugly, it will try to fit. They often knead the sides of the container and settle themselves until they are completely snug. Many cat owners have seen their cat lie in a box, leave, and then come right back – it is truly a favorite habit!
- Cardboard boxes (big or small)
- Paper shopping bags and plastic bags
- Pet beds or cat carriers
- Laundry baskets and open suitcases
- Even a square of paper or a laptop – cats will sit on any flat rectangular shape.
Cats love hiding and resting in small, enclosed spaces. A cardboard box, a soft bed, or a paper bag can become a favorite nap spot for a cat. Even a taped square on the floor can tempt a cat to jump in. They will curl up, knead with their paws, and purr as they make the space their own.
What Experts Say: Animal behaviorists and veterinarians agree that this behavior is linked to a cat’s natural instincts and needs. For example, Dr. Grant Little (a veterinarian) explains, “Cats are predators that like to hide and ambush their prey. Cardboard boxes mimic normal habitats” for cats. Cat behaviorist Amanda Caron adds that boxes offer multiple benefits: they are “cozy hiding spots, stress relievers, nap havens, and exciting things to explore”. In other words, boxes serve many roles for a cat. Dr. Alison Gerken, a veterinary behaviorist, notes that boxes act like safe dens or caves for cats. Being in a small, enclosed space makes a cat feel secure and hidden. Wild cats use dens or burrows to stay safe from predators, and domestic cats have kept that instinct.
- Safety and Security: Cats feel safer in tight spaces because they can hide from anything that might surprise them. In a box or cave-like nook, nothing can sneak up from behind, so the cat can rest without worry. A Purina article explains that boxes let cats “get comfort and security from enclosed spaces” and hide from potential threats. This is important because even house cats retain instincts to avoid danger. If a cat senses stress or feels nervous, it may run and hide in a box to calm down.
- Warmth and Comfort: Cats love warmth. A cardboard box traps a cat’s own body heat and acts like an insulating blanket. Research shows that cats are most comfortable at temperatures around 85–100°F (29–38°C). In many homes, the air is cooler than a cat’s preferred range, so they seek out warm spots. Curling up in a box helps them stay cozy. As one expert notes, the enclosed sides force cats to curl into a ball, preserving their heat. Cat trainer Molly DeVoss points out that cardboard “insulates well, creating a cozy, heat-retaining spot for long naps”.
- Hunting Instinct: Even well-fed house cats still have the instincts of a hunter. In the wild, cats rely on stealth and cover to stalk prey. An enclosed box makes an ideal ambush spot. From inside a box, a cat can hide and then jump out to pounce – sometimes on a toy, another pet, or even a person’s foot! PetMD explains that boxes allow a cat to “pretend they are in the wild, hiding while they prepare to pounce on their prey”. Rover.com echoes this by noting “Boxes create ideal opportunities for ambushing… They let cats hide, pounce, and strike, satisfying their natural predator instincts”. In short, a box is like a mini hunting hideout for a cat’s playful or predatory games.
- Stress Relief and Mental Comfort: Hiding in a box can also make a cat feel less anxious. Studies on shelter cats in the Netherlands found that cats with access to boxes recovered from stress and adapted to a new environment faster than cats without boxes. This is because being in a small safe space reduces stress. When stressed, cats’ “go to” move is to hide. Being in their own little cave lets them rest and feel in control of their space. As Rover.com reports, playing or sleeping in boxes can lower a cat’s stress hormones like cortisol. In short, a box can act as a quick time-out zone where a nervous cat can relax and feel secure.
- Curiosity and Play: Finally, cats are naturally curious. A new box is a novel object with new smells and sounds. Cats love to explore it. As PetMD puts it, a box “represents a new puzzle that must be unraveled”. The crinkly cardboard is fun to scratch, bite, and knead. Many cat experts note that boxes turn ordinary cats into playful kittens again. For example, Caron says boxes are “exciting things to explore” that provide both mental and physical exercise.
Safety in Boxes vs. Open Spaces: All these reasons help explain why cats prefer tight spaces over open areas. In a big open room, a cat is more exposed and alert. But in a box or bag, it can stay partly hidden. Purina notes that if a cat is in a box, any “intruder” has to come into the cat’s line of sight – nothing can sneak up from behind. This sense of control is very calming for a cat. In an enclosed space, a cat can watch the room from a safe spot. This is the opposite of being out in the open where the cat might feel vulnerable.
Stress Relief and Health Benefits: Besides psychological comfort, cozy spaces can help cats stay healthy. Stress is unhealthy for any animal. Cats that feel safe are less likely to get sick from anxiety. The shelter studies show that simple boxes can significantly lower stress levels. A happy, calm cat will eat better, sleep well, and be less prone to behavior problems. Veterinarians also note that having a secure resting place can help cats with medical or behavioral issues. For example, a cat who is ill or recovering might be encouraged to rest in a quiet box rather than roam. Overall, giving a cat safe hideaways supports both its emotional health and physical well-being.
Fun Facts and Examples: Cat lovers have turned this behavior into memes and experiments. The phrase “If I fits, I sits” went viral on social media, showing hundreds of cats snug in tiny spaces. Some fans even proved that cats will sit in notional boxes: in 2017, cat owners taped a square on the floor and almost any cat nearby jumped onto the square! Researchers at Hunter College later used these taped squares to study cat cognition.
Even big cats like lions and tigers love boxes. At Big Cat Rescue in Florida, keepers found that large cats will curl up in surprisingly small crates. Susan Bass of Big Cat Rescue says they like “tiny spaces where it looks like they wouldn’t fit”, likely because they can hide and be alone. People jokingly say “cats are liquids” because cats seem to melt into any shape that holds them. Indeed, cats appear to flex their bodies to match the container.
Around the world, cat owners share photos of cats in strange places: jammed into bowls, sunk into sofas, hidden under tables – if a box is there, a cat will claim it. A popular Bored Panda gallery notes that cats never fail to amaze us with this behavior. We may never know exactly why cats love tight spaces so much, but it certainly is one of their most charming quirks.
Creating Safe, Cozy Spaces for Your Cat: As an owner, you can encourage this natural behavior by providing your cat with plenty of hideouts and soft spots. Here are some tips backed by experts:
- Offer Boxes and Beds: Keep some empty cardboard boxes around (with the top flaps open) so your cat can jump in anytime. Many cat lovers find that even after unboxing a new toy, the cat ignores the toy and sleeps in the box! Also consider buying or building cat caves or igloo beds with soft cushions – these mimic the cozy hideouts cats crave.
- Keep It Clean and Simple: Remove any tape, staples, or string from the box before giving it to your cat. Make sure it is sturdy and on the floor. If you have multiple cats, provide enough boxes or hiding spots so each cat has its own. (The ASPCA recommends having one more box or bed than the number of cats to prevent competition.) Place boxes in quiet corners or near your cat’s favorite resting areas.
- Add Soft Blankets or Toys: To make a box extra inviting, put a soft blanket or towel inside. Sprinkle a bit of catnip or place a favorite toy there. Behaviorists suggest that a cat will be more likely to use the box if it has familiar scents or treats (Rover.com notes adding a catnip-sprinkled blanket can make a box even cozier).
- Vertical Hideaways: Remember that cats also like to be up high. Cat trees or shelves with enclosed cubbies can serve the same purpose as a box. A perch with a little “roof” or cave can be a great refuge.
- Safety First: Always check your cat’s cozy spot for hazards. Remove plastic bags (unless a cat-safe pet store bag), keep cords or strings away, and ensure the cat cannot get stuck. Rover.com warns that strings or rubber bands on a box can be dangerous if chewed off. Trim any sharp edges of cardboard and avoid small pieces that could be swallowed.
- Routine and Privacy: If your cat is stressed (for example, after moving to a new home), placing a box in a quiet room can help them settle in faster. Make sure the box is in a low-traffic area so the cat can relax without being disturbed.
By providing secure, enclosed resting places, you give your cat a sense of safety and comfort. According to the experts, these simple comforts can go a long way toward keeping your cat happy and healthy.
Cats with Boxes
There is nothing wrong or strange about your cat’s love for boxes and small spaces. It is a normal, instinctive behavior rooted in safety, warmth, and play. Boxes and cozy nooks tap into a cat’s natural instincts to hide, stalk, and rest in security. They offer stress relief and enrichment, making a cat’s home life more like the wild in which their ancestors lived. So the next time you bring in groceries, save the box – your cat will thank you! Understanding and supporting this quirk will help your feline friend feel content. After all, for a cat, a simple cardboard box is not just waste – it’s a personal cave of comfort, curiosity, and fun.