If you have a cat at home, you might have noticed that whenever there's an empty cardboard box around, your cat will investigate it and sometimes hide inside. And you're probably wondering, why does my feline friend love hiding in cardboard boxes so much?
This curiosity about felines' love for boxes has a certain scientific explanation. In 2014, a study conducted by the Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals at Utrecht University (Netherlands) explained one of the reasons why cats like cardboard boxes so much.
The study was carried out with domestic cats from a shelter in the Netherlands. Two groups were formed: one group of felines was given boxes, and the other was not, with the aim of measuring the animals' stress levels.
The study concluded that the cats given boxes had less stress than the others, and were even calmer with humans. Cardboard boxes are comfortable and ultimately allow felines to maintain their body temperature and remain calm, which reduces their stress.
Therefore, one of the reasons cats like boxes is because they reduce stress and provide a sense of calm, as scientifically proven by the Utrecht University study.
Reasons why cats love cardboard boxes
In addition, we find other relevant reasons why cats like boxes so much:
- Boxes spark curiosity in felines: cats are very curious animals and love to observe, smell, and look at any new object in the house. But boxes, in particular, have a striking mystery for them.
- Boxes are a hiding place and refuge. Cats love to hide and feel safe. From inside boxes, they can observe and explore, fulfilling their hunting instinct. They can even sleep and rest. What's more, boxes allow them to be sheltered and calm.
- Boxes are a toy for cats. Cardboard is a resistant material, ideal for scratching and biting. Therefore, cardboard boxes are the perfect place for your cat to entertain and amuse itself. But above all, they like to do it to mark their habitat with their scent glands.
These are some of the reasons why felines love cardboard boxes. Although, one of the main reasons, as we said before, is that they reduce stress.
Therefore, if your cat has a cardboard box or a scratching post with a cave-like space that serves as a refuge and protection, your cat will thank you.
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