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You are here: Home / Kitty Wisdom / Cats and Boxes – Easiest Interactive Play Ever!

Cats and Boxes – Easiest Interactive Play Ever!

May 20, 2021 By: Summer Samba22 Comments

Summer explains why it's important for humans to play with their cats - and all they need is a box and some treats.

Everybody talks about cats and their affinity for boxes. Researchers even do studies about it. But there is one big mistake people make when it comes to cats and boxes. They leave a shipping box around for their cat to play with. Which is fine, but doing that doesn’t make the best box experience for your cat. It’s missing one big element: you!

somali cat ready for her human to toss a treat

It’s so important for people to involve themselves in their cats’ playtime. It makes them happier, better socialized, and it strengthens the cat-human bond. A box — and your cat’s favorite treat — is the easiest, cheapest way to make all of that happen at once! Literally, just grab a treat, get your cat’s attention, and toss it into a box!

somali cat leaping into box, in mid-air

Your cat jumps in the box, gets the treat, and almost always wants to do it again immediately!

somali cat in a medium small box

The benefits of playing with your cat and a box are many!

  • Boxes can usually be acquired for free, if you don’t already have one or more sitting around the house. And I bet there are cat treats in your cupboard right now.
  • It’s a way for your cat to get exercise. And most indoor cats don’t get enough.
  • You can use nearly any size box for this. I purposely have a smaller box for this post so you can see.
  • You only need a small space. Even fishing pole-type toys require more room. I bet even a New York apartment or rented room in a house would accommodate box play.
  • Your cat will think you are awesome!

somali cat waiting for her human to toss more treats

I hope you are inspired now to play more with your cat! I bet she would love that more than just playing by herself.

somali cat in a box, looking cute

So what are you waiting for? Step away from the your computer or phone. Grab a box, some treats, and your cat… and go have fun!

somali cat rear end as she jumps into box

My job here is done.

Do you have any inexpensive fun games with your cat? Let me know in the comments!

Other posts you’ll enjoy:

  • It’s International Box Day… on Video!
  • Box Party at My Place!
  • Was Sparkle Right About Boxes?
Cats and Boxes - Easiest Interactive Play Ever!
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Comments

  1. The Dash Kitten Crew says

    May 23, 2021 at 4:31 pm

    We don’t get many new boxes but we agree that they are the perfect cat toy and the best ever price-wise!

    Reply
  2. Purrjamm cats says

    May 23, 2021 at 8:13 am

    We have boxes and bags! Mom puts tissue paper or just uses the brown packing paper that comes with packages, in our boxes. We love the combination of both. And toss in a little toy furry mouse, that’s additional fun! Your last pic is so funny, love it! Purrs

    Reply
  3. Timmy Tomcat says

    May 21, 2021 at 9:58 am

    Dad always takes some time to play with us when we have a new box. Then again sometimes we take the initiative like our big snoozing box. Dad put all the extra paper in there that came with our noms and thought we would play for a bit. We said “No, this is a snoozing spot now.” Dad decided to keep the box and we take turns napping in it all day long. He says it doesn’t fit with our furniture but what does MOL

    Reply
  4. Pat k says

    May 20, 2021 at 11:23 pm

    Anyone who likes cats will know about a cat’s attraction
    to boxes. I never thought about the part of throwing a
    treat in the box though. We always played with the fingers
    tapping the box or peeking over the edge and so on.

    Reply
  5. Meezer'sMews&TerrieristicalWoofs says

    May 20, 2021 at 10:22 pm

    Minko was a box hog, but Pipo wasn’t terribly interested, he sometimes would get in, then get out, while Minko would stay in any box for ages, and whap anyone who passed by, human or feline or even the dog. It was like his version of Peekaboo!

    Reply
  6. Catherine says

    May 20, 2021 at 9:26 pm

    That’s a great idea Summer. Getting them to jump in and out. I have a great kitty toy hack. Get a clean, dry water bottle. Poke a hole in the middle just big enough for a treat to fall out. Too big is not going to work. Put the treats in the bottle, put the cap on and watch the fun. Princess is a food hog. She’ll chase that thing for an hour

    Reply
  7. Mark's Mews says

    May 20, 2021 at 8:52 pm

    We have several sizes of boxes around. But you are right, they are passive. TBT tosses toys in them after getting our attention. Sometimes he adds fresh or crushed NIP. Sometimes there are treats. We cant decide which is better, so he does it randomly. And sometimes the boxes are close together so we interact. Random whappy-paws over the tops harm nokitty. Sometimes he sets them around a room which encourages us to trade boxes.

    Sometimes he puts out a too-small box and we are so box-hopping we struggle ta get in. And then, of course, there are the bags…

    Reply
  8. Melissa & Mudpie says

    May 20, 2021 at 3:10 pm

    I do this and throw Mudpie’s favorite toys in the box! Mudpie will be showing off her latest favorite box tomorrow 🙂 MOL

    Reply
  9. Ellen Pilch says

    May 20, 2021 at 1:45 pm

    Great ideas Summer. I need to get da bird out for my cats.

    Reply
  10. Lola The Rescued Cat says

    May 20, 2021 at 12:57 pm

    Great post, Summer!! We get boxes all the time here, and our mom needs to get back on the ball and play with us with them.

    Reply
  11. Brian Frum says

    May 20, 2021 at 11:54 am

    Boxes and paper bags are favs here sweet Summer!

    Reply
  12. Marv, Jo Jo, Kozmo, Cinnamon & Barb says

    May 20, 2021 at 11:53 am

    We are not big on boxes. Nellie Bellie liked them and would whap Kozmo and Jo Jo when they got into what she considered HER box! I, Marv, mostly ignore them. We sure enjoyed your pictures today though! Especially the last one!

    Reply
  13. Eastside Cats says

    May 20, 2021 at 11:51 am

    Ha! Both Manny and Chili Bruce would jump in at the same time!
    I’ll have to keep my camera ready…

    Reply
  14. Sandra toney says

    May 20, 2021 at 11:07 am

    Boxes! Boxes! Everywhere boxes! Great blog, Summer.

    Reply
  15. GinaV24 says

    May 20, 2021 at 10:39 am

    That’s a fabulous suggestion. I have boxes for the cats to play with but I never thought about me being involved in playing with the with it. I’m going to start!

    Reply
  16. Truman says

    May 20, 2021 at 10:18 am

    I love toy mice that rattle. Mom gets them at Petco and she always has a stash in her desk drawer in case the dust bunnies under the bed eat the one I’m playing with.

    Mom and I play with my mouse when she’s sitting on the bed watching TV. She throws the mouse at me and I bat it back to her, like volleyball. Sometimes I bat it really hard and it goes on the floor so Mom has to get up and get it. Every time she has to get up she throws it so I have to fetch it and bring it back to her. We love this game, and we both get exercise!

    Reply
  17. Leann Walters says

    May 20, 2021 at 5:23 am

    Dawn loves to play hide and seek and chase. I think those are her favorite games.

    Reply
  18. mickeys Musings says

    May 20, 2021 at 5:21 am

    There are not many boxes around here,but when there are I like to check them out!
    Purrs, Julie

    Reply
  19. Ernie the Island Cat says

    May 20, 2021 at 5:09 am

    That’s some good advice, Summer. The mom likes to throw one of my toys in a box to get me playing.

    Reply
  20. Memories of Eric and Flynn says

    May 20, 2021 at 4:55 am

    Flynn loved boxes but Eric wasn’t very interested, probably because most were a tighter fit for him.

    Reply
  21. The Florida Furkids says

    May 20, 2021 at 4:49 am

    We’re nudging Mom to go get us a box and some treats!!

    The Florida Furkids

    Reply
  22. The Poupounette Gang says

    May 20, 2021 at 4:24 am

    Thanks for all the great advice, Summer! #1 tells me that I am the first Poupounette cat who loves boxes!

    Purrs,
    Benny

    Reply

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