We’ve all seen it: a cat bypasses a brand-new toy and dives headfirst into the cardboard box it came in. But this quirky behavior actually has roots in feline evolution and psychology.
Boxes offer warmth, security, and stress relief. In the wild, enclosed spaces provide protection from predators and allow cats to observe without being seen. Domestic cats retain this instinct. Studies show that shelter cats given access to boxes adjust faster and show less stress.
Cardboard also provides insulation, helping cats maintain their ideal body temperature, which is higher than ours. And scratching or chewing the box? That’s just extra fun for them!
So next time your cat curls up in a shipping box, know it’s not random—it’s science-backed comfort and survival instinct at work.