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You are here: Home / Kitty Wisdom / Why Shelter Cats Need Boxes (And I Don’t, Really)

Why Shelter Cats Need Boxes (And I Don’t, Really)

February 24, 2020 By: Summer Samba28 Comments

Summer finds an interesting study that explains why shelter cats need boxes - and explains why she doesn't.

Cats love boxes — everyone knows that. So I’m surprised that so far there has only been one serious study on why. And it’s actually a really good bit of research because it benefits shelter cats. I found out about in this story on Bored Panda, but you can check out the actual study here.

The bottom line — and it’s pretty logical, really — is that boxes are stress reducers for cats. Cats, even the social ones, like privacy (or at least the option to be private). I’m sure most people can relate to wanting to get away from everyone else now and then. Why would us cats be any different? Cat behavior experts often recommend a hiding spot for the shyer or non-dominant cats in multi-cat households. And boxes are an easy and inexpensive way to give a cat her own little space.

Cats living in shelters often lack privacy, and that can be stressful for them. They have to live in cages, or in open spaces among a revolving group of strangers. It’s totally unnatural, and even though many cats manage to adjust in their own way, it’s not their preferred existence. The study, which focused on a Dutch animal shelter, looked at cats new to shelter life, and measured their stress levels with and without hiding boxes. The cats who had boxes to hide in had significantly less stress. Which is a very good thing, because less stress not only means a better emotional adjustment for the cats — it can also help reduce the spread of disease. Stressed out cats get sicker faster and more often.

Of course cats at home love boxes too, and hiding spots. And the more cats living together, the more important that is. But even in a one or two cat family, hiding spaces are necessary. It’s nothing personal, honest, but sometimes we just want a break from our humans. We do like interaction on our own terms, and having our own private spots guarantee that.

So why don’t I really need boxes? Well, I do have a few private spaces — my tunnels, and the cardboard cat scratcher houses in the living room. But I’m only attracted to boxes when there’s a toy or treats involved. I love stalking cat toys around a box, and one of my favorite games is when my human tosses treats into boxes. I’ll take any excuse to jump! But my human gives me as much private time as I want, Boodie keeps to herself, and I have little desire to hide. So as opposed to using boxes for hiding, I use them for social activities. Which, come to think of it, is a good use for them too.

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Why Shelter Cats Need Boxes (And I Don\'t, Really)
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Comments

  1. LAQUETTA says

    September 9, 2020 at 8:26 pm

    I remember reading this study. Of my cats, Cloud likes boxes more than Grey Ghost. They do like their privacy, Summer you are right.

    Reply
  2. Kim says

    April 9, 2020 at 6:57 am

    Very interesting! ❤

    Reply
  3. Catherine lin89gg says

    April 8, 2020 at 8:41 pm

    I remember this blog Summer. I’m involved in a rescue and we provide tents for them as boxes don’t fit too well. It’s the same premise though. Kitties love boxes and need privacy. Thanks Summer

    Reply
  4. Catherine Lingg says

    February 25, 2020 at 6:04 pm

    This strikes a chord in my heart. I’m in a rescue and we show our kitties at Petco. There’s varrying degrees of how the kitties react to being in a cage. They’re too small for a box but we have hidy beds that look like a tent and we also drape a towel over the front of the kitty is especially scared. I appreciate this blog dealing with serious issues

    Reply
  5. Catherine Besteder says

    February 25, 2020 at 5:52 am

    I took Tav’s favorite cardboard box to his first cat show for his Sturdi. He not only sat in it, but also managed to turn it upside down and hide under it. I am sure it helped.

    Christmas boxes with tissue and a stolen ornament inside are the very best boxes.

    Reply
  6. Cathy Keisha says

    February 24, 2020 at 6:26 pm

    I’m an only cat so I don’t need to escape anyone. I use boxes to play in too. We play wand toy and a long straw under the box that I try to attack. There were no boxes today but the peeps let me roam and find my own quiet spots.

    Reply
  7. Lesley Castle says

    February 24, 2020 at 6:01 pm

    A very good idea

    Reply
  8. William's Kith & Kin says

    February 24, 2020 at 5:49 pm

    That makes sense to me. Right now I retreat under Mom’s desk to get away from Ivan, but that’s not always the best place. I think I need a box of my own.

    ~Elliott.

    Reply
  9. Raven says

    February 24, 2020 at 5:26 pm

    A good hidey spot is a great escape.

    Reply
  10. BellaDharma'ss LadyMew says

    February 24, 2020 at 4:47 pm

    Mee not have a box….mee not sure if mee efurr had a box…mee knowss LadyMew doess not want stuff on floor beecause shee tripss alot an can fall….butt maybee one itty bitty box wuud bee guud rite???
    **purrsss** BellaDharma

    Reply
  11. selina says

    February 24, 2020 at 4:05 pm

    I totally sympathize. I get into my own “box” when I’M feeling stressed. Maybe I should get MK a hooman-sized box for her!

    Reply
  12. Melissa & Mudpie says

    February 24, 2020 at 3:35 pm

    That study does make perfect sense. And after the day I’ve had today I wouldn’t mind hiding in a cardboard box myself! LOL

    Reply
  13. Ellen Pilch says

    February 24, 2020 at 3:32 pm

    That is a good idea for shelter cats to have boxes.

    Reply
  14. Brian says

    February 24, 2020 at 3:21 pm

    That does make lots of sense, boxes are very special to kitties everywhere!

    Reply
  15. The Poupounette Gang says

    February 24, 2020 at 10:57 am

    None of us here at The Poupounette have ever been huge box fans. Maybe it means we’re not stressed!

    Purrs,
    Tama and Genji

    Reply
  16. Eastside Cats says

    February 24, 2020 at 10:53 am

    Manny and CB love any sized cardboard box, and The PO’M and Sweetie have some too! They both like to use the cardboard to scratch at.

    Reply
  17. The Swiss Cats says

    February 24, 2020 at 10:49 am

    Interesting, that makes sense. Purrs

    Reply
  18. Laila and ANGEL Minchie says

    February 24, 2020 at 10:27 am

    My favorite boxes are the ones from Costco. My human has not brought me one from there for a few months. I will have to add it to her shopping list.

    Reply
  19. Meezer'sMews&TerrieristicalWoofs says

    February 24, 2020 at 9:29 am

    Boxes!
    Yes, Angels Simba, Toki and Minko were big fans of them…but I, Pipo am not that attracted to them.

    I do like shallower boxes, like the lids some of them come with.
    Minko liked to sit in a box, and then pounce on any unwary passers by, be they feline or human,MOL!

    Maybe we should start donating boxes to our local shelters. The grocery store we shop at has some pawsome boxes with ready made entry holes! (Minko loved those…)

    Reply
  20. Pat K says

    February 24, 2020 at 7:47 am

    Makes sense to me. Once you brought up the subject,
    I kind of guessed it was privacy – had not thought about
    stress reduction though. Don’t humans pretty much feel
    the same needs?

    Reply
  21. Grace says

    February 24, 2020 at 5:57 am

    I’ve lived with cats for about 50 years now and none of my cats ever showed much interest in boxes, I wonder what that means.

    Reply
  22. Catscue Catmom says

    February 24, 2020 at 5:28 am

    That does make sense, privacy is important to everyone.

    Reply
  23. the ISland Cats says

    February 24, 2020 at 5:23 am

    Some of the cats at our shelter like to hide in their litterboxes. The mom says it’s the same reason why cats like boxes. It gives them security.

    Reply
  24. Miss Ki and Jean says

    February 24, 2020 at 5:04 am

    Good stuff here!

    Reply
  25. Purrjamm cats says

    February 24, 2020 at 4:46 am

    Pretty cool to know. We love boxes in our household. Mom and dad like peace in the household and boxes do just that. We hide, play, and just act crazy in them. Agreed, shelter cats need boxes for sure! Purrs

    Reply
  26. mommakatandherbearcat says

    February 24, 2020 at 4:00 am

    And less stress in shelters means the true nature and temperament of the cats come out – and they are adopted faster. Obviously, I’m human and even I’D prefer a box to hide in around a lot of people 😉

    Reply
  27. Memories of Eric and Flynn says

    February 24, 2020 at 2:30 am

    I hadn’t thought about it before, but it makes perfect sense.

    Reply
  28. Lesley Castle says

    February 24, 2020 at 12:22 am

    Wow, I had never considered this.

    Reply

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