Everyone who is owned by a cat knows what happens when you bring a new box into the house. It is like Kitty Christmas. The first thing they have to do is get inside like a child with a new playhouse. But why are cats so fascinated by a simple empty box? I suppose there are a number of things at “play” here.
I think the main reason is that cats love to play. The reason that they have an instinct for play is probably because it helps them practice for survival. Attacking their housemates, assuming it is not for reasons of dominance or territory, is practice for the hunt. Playing in a box is just an extension of that.
A box offers something a wild cat is looking for: stealth. Nevermind that they are not wild cats, they don’t know that. From inside a box a cat can see but not be seen. It is a great place to lie in wait until their prey is close and then pounce. It also offers a bit of protection from other “wild” household pets that might want to attack them.
Finally, cats are great nappers. Curling up inside a box could feel very cozy for that afternoon nap and offer protection as well.
This is great. A box all to myself.
Okay Puck, We’ve waited long enough.
Ha, now I have the box.
Stretch…
Don’t even think about it, Frankie.
This is just my size.
I wonder if there is a trap door in this thing.
That’s weird that Chris just disappeared. Oh well, it’s my box now.
If anyone can shed more light on why cats love boxes, or if you just want to comment, I’d love to hear from you.
Bad Cat Chris 
I think it’s just that nice “enclosed” private feel that a box gives……not sure what the big attraction is but they do LOVE boxes – that’s a particularly nice one too!!
Pam
Yes but unfortunately it was the perfect size for something I had to ship. The boys were not happy with me last night.
Did you see our latest post about boxes? http://howlingmadcat.wordpress.com/2014/07/26/pandoras-box/ We happened to get a huge box and the cats are loving it! Ellie
What a coincidence. Love the pictures.
Great pics..and yes cats like hides..somewhere they can protect their backs and keep a low profile..eating this and scratching it and leaping in and out and dragging it around seems kind of contradictory…but I am NOT going to be the one to tell them 🙂 Hugs Fozziemum
I don’t understand the eating. Chewing on cardboard makes no sense to me. The scratching might be an attempt to “fluff up their napping area.”
Who knows…it’s like a rat making a nest hahhah 🙂
Life with Dogs and Cats did a quite similar post today so you can probably gain more insight by visiting them. Mauricio wishes he’d had that box when he was making his car for the Cat Scout’s Soap Box Derby last fall. The “racing stripes” are pawsome. XO, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
Another coincidence. The Mad Hooligan Chronicles just commented about their box post too. It is a nice looking box. Too bad I had to use it for shipping today. I’ll have to get them another box (or three).
you and Life With Dogs and Cats must be on t he same wavelength today! Both of you wrote about boxes! Believe it or not I don’t love boxes at all, just the tape on top of them MOL! Oh…just saw the comment above that said what I said, too bad…leaving mine anyway MOL! Love, Cody
So funny Cody. Check out The Mad Hooligan Chronicles post too. http://howlingmadcat.wordpress.com/2014/07/26/pandoras-box/
Um… we just DO!!! 😀 xx Roxy & Tigerlino ❤
Sometimes it is just that simple. 🙂
😉
Boxes just rule! They are fun to play in and fun to nap in. They’re versatile. I’m not surprised there are several box posts today – in fact, I’m surprised there aren’t MORE box posts from kitties!
Does that mean we can expect a Sparkle box post soon?
We’ve never met a box we didn’t like. 🙂
I’m sure that is true. 🙂
Reblogged this on Bad Cat Chris and commented:
We bought a new Keurig and our boys have been enjoying the box so when I happened upon this blog post from 2014 I thought it would be good to share for Throwback Thursday.
Did you ever like to play in forts when you were a kid? There you go!
I was just telling my wife yesterday that cats are just like kids and I mentioned the forts.
That is a pretty cool box! I think it goes back to ancient Egypt when the royals would be carried around in what was called a litter. So of course the attraction to a “litter” box is natural MOL!
Makes sense to me. 🙂
If they fits, they sits 🙂
😁