Surely every cat owner at least once saw his pet trying to squeeze into a box. Moreover, the box can be very small and only half of the cat will fit in it. And all the same, he will squeeze in there, and then lie with a blissful muzzle, dangling his paws and butt overboard. It’s strange.
Veterinarians and animal psychologists have come up with many explanations for this behavior.
1. Perhaps cats like the smell of cardboard, it reminds them of the smell of the forest in which their distant ancestors lived.
2. Or maybe they remember that first box where they lived with their mother-cat and a bunch of brothers and sisters. And any box reminds them of an almost forgotten house and a serene childhood.
3. Your house has become dear and cozy for the cat, and sometimes it is not clear who lives with whom – you have a cat or you have a cat. But all the same, the cat will look for the most comfortable place in the house, where he will feel protected and invulnerable. Place the box in the quietest place in your apartment and make your cat happy.
4. Do you have a favorite chair or seat on the couch? Why don’t your pet have a cozy, personal corner too. Put a soft rug or pillow, a couple of your favorite cat toys in the box – and a cool place to relax is ready.
5. Have you forgotten that all cats are predators? In the wild, their ancestors hunted daily to feed themselves and their offspring. And for a successful hunt you need an ambush. Maybe our home purrs wake up the predatory instinct at the sight of a box? So, they hide in it, as if in an ambush, and then, with a victory cry, jump out at the host passing by. It may very well be.
6. And it’s warm in the box. The ideal room temperature for cats is 30–36 °. Therefore, cats are always looking for warm places – a battery or a windowsill heated by the sun. And, of course, boxes that keep you warm.
7. If the cat is bored, the box will become a toy. After all, you can jump into it, and then suddenly jump out, you can hide in it, and you can also gnaw and scratch it, listening to the rustling of cardboard, while it smells so wonderful.
In short, they like the boxes and that’s it. And some owners use such feline love and make play complexes out of boxes for their pets. Connect a couple of boxes with a bridge or tunnel, cut holes and see what happens.