Why do cats love boxes so much?

"Why do cats like boxes?" is one of the classic cat questions on Google. Anyone who has bought a cat a present knows the result: the cat ignores the gift and moves into the box.

Hiding means safety

Cats are both hunters and prey (in the wild, larger animals hunt them). When they're stressed or unsure, their instinct is to hide somewhere enclosed, where they can see out but can't easily be seen. A box is perfect: walls on three sides, a view of the room, nothing sneaking up from behind.

The science: boxes reduce stress

This isn't just a cute theory. In a study at a Dutch animal shelter (Vinke and colleagues, 2014), newly arrived cats were given either a hiding box or no hiding box. The cats with a box recovered from stress at least four days earlier than those without. A later randomised controlled trial in Dutch shelter cats also found that hiding enrichment reduced behavioural stress during quarantine.

For shelter and rescue cats, a simple cardboard box can make a real difference.

Other reasons cats love boxes

• Warmth. Cats like warm places, and cardboard is a good insulator. A cat curled up in a box keeps its own warmth close.
• Ambush headquarters. A box is a perfect hiding spot to pounce from: excellent for play and hunting practice.
• Scratching and chewing. Cardboard is great to scratch and nibble.
• New smells. A new box is full of interesting scents to investigate.

How to use boxes to help your cat

• Give every cat at least one hiding place, especially in the first days in a new home (see introducing a new cat).
• Shy or rescued cats benefit hugely from a box or covered bed in a quiet room.
• Cut a door in the side of a closed box to make a cosy cave.
• Multi-cat homes: offer several hiding places, so nobody has to compete.
• Rotate boxes now and then to keep them interesting.

When hiding means something's wrong

Hiding is normal, but a cat that suddenly hides much more than usual, stops eating, or doesn't want to come out may be unwell or in pain. If that happens, see your vet.

At Mumcat, every new arrival gets a box on day one. For a frightened street cat, it's the first safe place in a very strange new world.