Special delivery (Picture: Imgur)

Cats are pretty curious creatures, but there’s one feline habit we might finally be able to explain: why the heck they’re obsessed with cramming themselves into boxes.

You’re not alone if your furry friend has totally neglected that cosy new basket or scratch post you bought him in favour of tucking himself into your latest delivery box.

Studies collated by Bryan Gardiner at Wired have revealed the three main reasons behind your feline’s affinity with boxes.

Firstly, they’re a source of stress-relief. Gardiner cites a recent study by veterinarian Claudia Vinke of Utrecht University in the Netherlands who monitored the stress levels in shelter cats.

After providing hiding boxes for a group of newly arrived domestic cats while depriving another group of them completely, she found a dramatic difference in stress levels between the two groups. In a nutshell – cats with boxes became accustomed to their new surroundings faster, seemed less stressed faster and sought human company sooner.


Secondly, your cat prefers to flee, rather than fight and a box might represents the perfect shelter from conflict, or just too much attention.

The Domestic Cat: The Biology of its Behaviour explains: ‘Cats do not appear to develop conflict resolution strategies to the extent that more gregarious species do, so they may attempt to circumvent agonistic encounters by avoiding others or decreasing their activity.’


And finally there’s the simple fact of warmth. According to a 2006 study by the National Research Council, a domestic cat’s thermoneutral zone (that’s the temperature at which they’re comfortable) is 86 to 97 degrees Fahrenheit, a whole 20 degrees higher than humans.

So they pretty much seek out any confined space which might help them conserve some body heat.

In short, boxes are insulating, stress-relieving and comforting places where your cat can sleep or simply hide out until the coast is clear. Just check out this lot for proof…

There’s this superhero impersonator who takes his box EVERYWHERE.


This kitty who’ll do anything to defend her box.


This Scottish fold cat who works out in his box.


These two: ‘Burger King crown? No way, we’ll take a Big Mac box’.


This cat who’s also a yoga teacher (probably).


This daredevil cat.


And this kitten, who’s got room to grow. Aww.


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