Title: Why Cats Love Boxes: Hunting Instincts & Safety

cats‘ Cardboard Box Obsession Rooted ⁢in Instinct, New‍ Research Confirms

Jakarta, Indonesia – A seemingly worldwide feline‍ fascination with⁢ cardboard boxes isn’t just quirky behavior; it’s deeply ingrained⁣ in a cat’s natural instincts and provides‌ a crucial ⁣sense of security, according⁣ to animal behaviorists. The preference, observed in both ⁤indoor and outdoor cats, stems from a combination of hunting strategies and a primal need for safe, enclosed spaces dating back to kittenhood.

While often seen as a playful habit, the attraction to boxes is a meaningful⁣ aspect of feline well-being. Understanding this behavior can help cat owners provide enriching environments that reduce stress and ‍cater to their pets’ essential needs. This is particularly relevant as more cats‌ live primarily indoors, requiring owners⁤ to actively create opportunities for them to express natural behaviors.

According to Dr. Stephen Delgado, a ⁤certified applied animal behaviorist, boxes offer an ideal “hunting ground.” “Boxes ​offer the perfect hunting ground, ‌with walls that protect them from view ‍and an open top that ⁢they can use to pounce on potential prey,” Delgado told popular Science. Cats, existing as both predator and prey in the wild, instinctively​ seek concealed positions to ambush prey or evade potential threats like‍ hawks and​ foxes. Even house cats retain this hunting drive, and a box serves as a readily​ available substitute for natural ‍hiding ⁢places⁢ like bushes or hidden corners.

Beyond hunting, boxes provide a fundamental sense of security. Danielle Gunn-Moore, a professor of feline medicine at the University ⁢of ​Edinburgh, explains ⁣that mother cats instinctively seek quiet, enclosed areas to give birth. “Their first ​experience is a safe, enclosed space,” Gunn-Moore said. This early association with safety within ‍a⁢ confined space creates a lasting⁢ preference throughout a cat’s life.

Research supports this connection, demonstrating that stress hormones, such as cortisol, are reduced in newly rescued cats when given access to cardboard boxes. The novelty of a new box in a familiar environment also sparks a cat’s curiosity, further contributing to its appeal.