Occasionally clients comment that cats who travel with Animalcouriers don’t seem to have very much room in their compartments. But cats are big fans of small spaces, as they help them feel more secure, especially in unfamiliar or stressful situations.
Think back to when you adopted your cat — to help your cat settle in you were probably advised to confine him or her to one room in your home initially, then gradually introduce everywhere else. Does your cat jump into an empty box whenever you leave one lying around? Or try to fit into seemingly impossible tiny spaces for a snooze?
Scientific research shows that enclosed spaces, like boxes, help cats feel secure and cope better when they’re stressed. Boxes also offer cats a safe place to sleep without being disturbed and may also help them to keep warm.
So when a cat is being transported, giving them a relatively small space and somewhere to hide, such as their own carry box or a tunnel bed, is actually very good for their welfare.
This article tells you more about the research.
Boxes are great, I so agree. Sadly we never got one what was big enough for me. But I always try to make it a little bigger… sadly I’m the same diy-misadventurer like ma staff on that front :o(
We would love to see a box big enough for you and the look on your face 😀
Kitties love boxes and tight spaces.
It’s a universal truth!
That sure makes sense to me. Cats like to curl up and be next to something protective. A box is even better.
Boxes win out nearly always.
I read this just last night after Sadie plopped herself into a delivery box. Here’s a youtube video showing big cats like boxes too! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J11uu8L8FTY
What a marvellous video! Thanks for sharing.
I like a good box now and again too. These cats are onto something 🙂
I was thinking the same thing. My six-year-old son spends an inordinate amount of time inside boxes. Sometimes the cats get there first, and we have an argument on our hands.
haha…my boys loved boxes also, though I don’t recall them ever arguing with the cat, ’cause the cat ruled! 😉
One of our cats is pretty much just another kid. The tot and the cat get into trouble together, and we’re not always sure if Pixel wasn’t the instigator. If Pixel’s in the box, it’s all fair game.
I am imagining the looks of innocence on both pusses when the twosome get into trouble. lol
That’s exactly it. If Pixel could point, she would! “He started it!”
I’m absolutely sure! Crafty creatures they are. Who could possible not like cats I ask you?
Sounds like Pixel came with oodles of character.
She did. She is all up in the boys’ business. Whenever trouble is brewing, she’s in the thick of it.
We thought that was a crafty manoeuvre to hitch a ride on our next trip 😉
Just about the cheapest toy, or bedding you can find! One of our cats likes to make all the noise she can by jumping into the box and making it clatter around the floor until you come looking to see what she may have broken. Then I get this “WHAT?” look. 🙂
They are the best toys! We sometimes put boxes down and time how long before we catch our first cat 😉
Around here, it doesn’t seem to take very long. 😀
Ours love to chew on cardboard boxes too. It looks like mice have been at work when they are done with the box! 🙂
Ah, not experienced that. Guess it takes one cat to start the trend!
My cats love them! I had a cat several years ago who thought he was King when he had a box. Wouldn’t let anyone near it! 😀
A possessive cat? Doesn’t sound likely 😉
Asolutely…the cave theory..a small safe haven is what they love..under a bed cover any cupboard or drawer you leave open..they can curl up (do the croissant as I call it) and spy on the world..indeed a safer thing that a bigger space where they can actually get quite agitated and hurt themselves 🙂 loves Bev x
You have to be so careful not to shut cupboard doors or drawers without first checking who might be lurking inside 😉
Yes..they have a sock fetish hahahaha 🙂
One of my fondest childhood memories is of my Aunt and Uncles long haired cat “Big Ears” in his favourite boxes. My Uncle was a milkman at the time and they had little cardboard boxes for the paper packets of milk tokens.
Big Ears was about 5 times too big for the box, but it was his favourite place and if you took the box off the floor he would yowl until you put it back.
Once in the box he was the first and most ultimate “muffin top” and he clearly adored these boxes.
I heard that cats are also insanely attracted to circles and saw a video on it recently… make a low circle on the floor with anything to hand …let a cat into the room and watch how they are absolutely compelled to go and sit in it. (good way to catch a reluctant moggy for a trip to the vet maybe?)
There really isn’t anything much funnier than a muffin top cat!
Yes, saw that video – have been meaning to test the theory. Would be great if it proves to be the optimum vet-visit catching solution 😉
pestfree professional!? huh? just kidding. the best youtube cat ever, Maru, is always squishing his big boy bod into very small boxes.
Wondered if anyone would spot that! Makes us laugh every time we see the photo. He really is a professional. Have seen that video and it is very funny.
I can’t get MK in my chewy box when I want to do a photo shoot, lol only on her terms.
Well, MK is just reminding you she is a cat 😉
Thanks for spreading the word about the importance of boxes! Here’s more about how they are VITAL for some cats’ survival: http://petcha.com/pet_care/why-do-cats-like-boxes/
And thanks for the link to that page – really interesting read.
Wild cats, such as mountain lions and bobcats like to live in dens. Maybe the choice is genetic and instinctual. –Curt
Yes, it does seem to be a universal cat thing.
That’s Edgar and he likes to fit (or try to) into any box he finds 😉
Well of course! Hehehe!
Our kitties think that any box that comes into the house is their property – sometimes they don’t wait for it to be unpacked!
Any box no matter how small for our felines