Pet cats have a special fondness for boxes; as soon as they see a box, they pounce on it and keep biting it, even playing with it. Why do cats like boxes so much? Zoologists have discovered that it is one of the ways cats gain a sense of security. Are there other reasons as well?

　　1. Relieving Stress

　　Almost all cats' first reaction to stressful situations is to retreat and hide. Researchers say, “Hiding is a behavioral strategy cats adopt when faced with environmental changes and stress.” This applies both to wild cats and cats living in your home. The difference is that wild cats hide in treetops or caves, while your home cat seeks comfort in shoeboxes.

　　2. Hiding from Problems in a Safe Place

　　An important point to highlight is that cats are actually not good at resolving conflicts. Cats do not seem to have developed conflict resolution strategies like other more social species. Therefore, they may avoid confrontations or reduce activity to avoid intense encounters. Cats tend to evade problems rather than solve them. In this sense, a box often represents a safe zone where all anxiety, hostility, and unnecessary attention vanish.

　　3. For Warmth

　　Observant people will notice that cats not only love boxes but also relax in many odd places. Some curl up in sinks, others like to hide in shoes, bowls, shopping bags, coffee cups, empty egg cartons, and other confined spaces. This leads to another reason why cats like small boxes (and other seemingly uncomfortable spaces): they feel cold.

　　This also explains why many cats enjoy curling up in small boxes and other strange tight spaces. Corrugated cardboard is a good insulator, and the narrow space forces the cat to curl up, which in turn helps it retain heat. In fact, most cat beds are around 22 degrees Celsius, nearly 10 degrees lower than the lower limit of a cat's thermoneutral zone. When owners understand why cats like boxes, they can better understand their pets.