If you’ve ever wondered why cats are determined to sit in any box of any size, prepare to be amazed as it’s probably not the reason you were thinking.
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No, it’s not because they look fabulous.
One reason is that boxes provide a sense of security, so they don’t mind interacting with other animals and humans as much if they have a nice, safe box to retreat into, especially when adapting to a new environment.
In the wild, cats would hide in caves, tree hollows or any other cozy space they could find. Domestic cats emulate this by chilling out in boxes.
A box can also be a “pack replacement” for cats; as they don’t have a herd, they don’t have instinctive strategies for dealing with conflict situations.
So, when facing confrontation with the unknown (and potentially a feline enemy), cats find the nearest — and often tiniest — box to scope out the situation in safely.
Another reason is that it’s simply a way to keep snug. Cats are happiest at between 30 and 36 degrees Celsius, so if there’s not a patch of sun to laze around in, a cardboard box is the perfect spot to keep your paws toasty.
Oh, and it’s also adorable.
