April 15, 2026 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor
As a proud mother of two cats, Freddy and Khalessi, I’ve noticed that my babies have enjoyed boxes more than the very expensive toys that my husband and I have bought. In particular, since we’re moving, they have loved throwing themselves into giant cardboard boxes. The bigger it is, the better and harder it is to get them out of it.
As someone who has had cats throughout her life, I know that my babies aren’t unique. All of the cats that I’ve had in my life have enjoyed being in a box, whether it be to hide from us or take a very long nap inside of it. Recently, though, I’ve found myself wondering what it is exactly that makes the perfect killing machine so weak to enclosed cardboard pieces.
One of the reasons that cats enjoy being inside boxes is the safety that it provides them. Alison Gerken, a veterinary behaviorist at the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, explains that in the wild, with predators lurking around, cats naturally have an instinct to find a “safe den.” They often choose an enclosed environment that doesn’t allow anything to sneak up on them from behind. It gives the cats a sense of safety and stress relief to let them be in a place where they can be hidden. Cats sadly don’t have a conflict resolution ability as we humans do, so when they’re upset, they like to hide from their problems — very relatable, honestly.
Cats love to be in warmer environments. According to a study conducted by the National Research Council, cats prefer to be in temperatures of 86-97 degrees Fahrenheit. Most homes aren’t kept that warm, so our feline friends find small, enclosed spaces that will trap their body heat. Cardboard, in particular, is great at trapping heat, like a little mini insulator. The small space can force a cat to curl up into a ball, which in turn also helps preserve heat for them. I have noticed that cats love to huddle underneath the blankets on my bed or curl up next to the heater, especially during the colder months.
As most know, cats are incredibly curious creatures. So, whenever something new appears in front of them, their instinct is to scope it out. They want to investigate what it is that has been brought, as well as the purpose of the new item in question. I remember the day I bought my cat one of those big cat trees that have scratchers and little cubbies they can hide in. He was more excited about the box than the darn cat tree, though he does use it a lot more than he used to.
The texture of cardboard boxes is also perfect for cats to scratch and bite, which makes them great toys. Fun fact: cats love to scent-mark boxes by chewing on the sides or flaps of it. When marking it, cats use pheromones to mark it as their own little palace.
Overall, my babies have every right to find their way into the many boxes that I currently have overloaded within my apartment. If they are able to find joy, warmth and safety in something so simple, I can only view cats as an admirable companion that doesn’t need much to be satisfied. I suppose it saves me money on having to buy them toys and pet beds.
Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu
