Cats and Boxes…Oh My!
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Everyone has heard of the famous book” The Cat In the Hat”, but you don’t hear much about the Cat in the Box. At my house it would be the several cats in the many boxes. Cats really enjoy being in boxes for several reasons.
A Simple Box Can Have An Impact On Your Cat’s Behavior.
Cats are curious. They want to know all about the new box…the smell, the feel, the fit. Even if the fit is not good they will often make it work somehow.
Cats are predators. The often hunt by ambushing their prey. A box can give that feeling of hiding and waiting for the moment to strike. A box can also provide a feeling of security and comfort. When a cat is stressed or scared they enjoy the comfortable feeling of a secure tight space.
Territory can Affect Your Cat’s Behavior and Personality
Cats need to have an area that is all theirs for at least a little while. A box can provide that feeling of “mine” when needed. Cats are also playful and boxes can just be plain fun. Put your cat’s favorite toy in the box and enjoy the show. A marble or two in a box can be great fun too.
Oliver is by far the cat who has the most behavior issues. His behavior is often much better when he has a box or two available for use. He also enjoys laying on paper sacks from Trader Joe’s too. Oliver really enjoys tearing pieces off of his box or bag as well. My wife is addicted to all the home improvement shows and I think Oliver has gotten sucked into the DIY thing. For some reason he will prefer one box over another with no real clear pattern.
Many cats enjoy chewing on cardboard or paper because they find it relaxing. It gives them something to do with extra energy they may have built up from napping several hours a day. Ripping and shredding is also a natural instinct that cats in the wild do with their prey. This type of material is also attractive for sharpening claws which is always a beter way to go than your favorite couch.
Cats won’t eat the material they tear up. So the good news is that they won’t get sick. The bad news is that if they are really into this activity they can make a bit of a mess with the pieces when they spit them out. This is pretty easy to clean up, especially if you keep up with it daily.
The bottom line is that cats plus boxes is a great thing. Many families are getting items delivered on a regular basis, which provides ready access to a supple of boxes. Not every box will be enjoyed by every cat, so just put it out there and see what happens. It’s always a good idea to make sure the box is safe before kitty is allowed to explore. NO dangerous holes, adhesives, strings, or any packing supplies should be allowed. The brown, thin, paper stuffing used sometimes can be fun if the cat is into that. Boxes are also cheap and easy to work with. My grandson likes to draw on them and cut large, extra openings in boxes for our cats. They love it! You can also incorporate the box in other play like string toys, mice, marbles, balls, etc. The cat hides in the box or behind the box and then gets to “ambush” the toy. This can be great fun and great exercise too.
