Buzz
Why do cats find boxes so irresistible? It’s one of those age-old mysteries. Live with a cat for even a brief period and you'll soon question everything you've ever been taught about space and size. When given the chance, a cat will somehow manage to curl itself into the smallest box and lounge there for hours.
Why do cats feel compelled to squeeze into cardboard boxes? Don’t they realize they’re losing their dignity when they rule the living room from a Zappos shipping box?
“You know the saying, ‘Think outside the box,’” says Carole Wilbourn, a cat therapist from New York City. “Cats prefer to think inside the box.”
Wilbourn suggests that cats feel a sense of security and dominance when they squeeze into tight spaces. “I believe this behavior traces back to their kittenhood, when they were in the womb, experiencing comfort and safety. It creates a feeling of coziness, freedom to do as they please, and a sense of being untouchable.”
Science backs this idea. Researchers have examined stress levels in cats recently arriving at shelters and discovered that cats with access to boxes showed lower stress and adapted more quickly than those without [PDF]. Even if they're not as protected as they think they are—after all, you can do pretty much anything to a cat in a box as you could to one outside of it—their perception is that the box offers protection from harm.
Another benefit of curling up in a small shelter is that it helps the cat conserve body heat. Cats typically prefer a temperature range between 86 to 97 degrees Fahrenheit, which is why they often gravitate toward warm spots like radiators, laptops, or any heat-emitting surface. “When a cat is warm, it feels relaxed,” explains Wilbourn.
Although you might find a cat squeezed into a bathroom sink or other confined areas, cardboard boxes usually provide enough flexibility to offer more comfort. If you're still puzzled by the attraction, remember that you’ve probably reinforced it by feeling warm and fuzzy at the sight. “When people see a cat in a box, they often think, ‘Oh, that looks so calm and peaceful,'” says Wilbourn. “It creates a positive association. Cats easily relax and get blissed out in a box.”
A fondness for small boxes isn't the only quirky cat behavior that science has explained; researchers have spent countless hours studying actions like climbing, scratching, and pouncing. They've also explored cat behavior from the owner's perspective, revealing various ways having a feline companion can benefit the health of its owner, such as the therapeutic effect that the soothing sound of a cat's purr has on those who hear it. Awww.
