If you’ve ever purchased an expensive, bespoke toy for your feline friend, then watched them ignore said purchase in favor of the cardboard container it arrived in, you will know this universal truth: cats love boxes.
Why have cats evolved this fascination with enclosed spaces, one that seems as distinct as their fear of cucumbers or their fondness for biscuit-making? We turned to a pawful of cat experts to find out more.
How cats use boxes when hunting
Despite differing personalities and energy levels, all cats can get something out of a well-placed box, says Mikel Delgado, a feline behavior consultant with Ease Pet Vet and a senior research scientist at Purdue University.
One crucial benefit relates to their hunting instincts. Cats that roam free outside occupy a delicate midpoint in the neighborhood food chain, where they are both predator and prey, Delgado tells Popular Science. As they hunt for birds or insects, outdoor cats look for hiding spots—like bushes or nooks—that can conceal them from being noticed by their prey or any potential predators, such as hawks or foxes.
Despite differing personalities and energy levels, all cats can get something out of a well-placed box, says Mikel Delgado, a feline behavior consultant with Ease Pet Vet and a senior research scientist at Purdue University.
One crucial benefit relates to their hunting instincts. Cats that roam free outside occupy a delicate midpoint in the neighborhood food chain, where they are both predator and prey, Delgado tells Popular Science. As they hunt for birds or insects, outdoor cats look for hiding spots—like bushes or nooks—that can conceal them from being noticed by their prey or any potential predators, such as hawks or foxes.
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