We Have The Answer Why Your Cats Are Addicted to Small Spaces and Boxes!
Cats are adorable as*holes, we all know that. We buy them a fancy cat bed or an expensive cat tower, and then find your kitty chilling in the Amazon box that came with the bed or tower instead.
It seems they just can’t resist squeezing into narrow places or boxes so much so that there’s a “If I fits, I sits” meme. There are actually a few possible reasons for why they just adore these little nooks, according to experts.
It feels like being hugged.
Tight spaces impart a certain pressure around their bodies that can be rewarding, claims Dr. Karen van Haaften. Nicholas Dodman seems to agree with this, saying that since they are used to snuggling with their mothers, cats find comfort in having close contact with the interior of small boxes. He believes that it releases endorphins, which gives pleasure and helps reduce stress.
Being in small space calms them.
A study found that boxes actually help cats to reduce their stress levels. Shelter cats that were given boxes adapted better to their new environment than those that were not. With boxes, their stress levels reduced in just 3 days, compared to 3 weeks for those without boxes.
Small but high places give them a vantage point.
Sitting in a tiny space on the wall, in the corner of a cabinet, or even on top of a narrow door, may look uncomfortable and make them prone to falling, but these places actually allow cats to observe the things around them without being seen. If they have a target in sight, they could pounce when their prey least expects it. They can also stay more alert if there are predators nearby.
Sometimes they just want to sleep undisturbed.
Kitties can spend 18 hours a day sleeping, said trained zoologist Luis Villazon. So to clock in their beauty sleep, they find places where people aren’t likely to find them. This way they avoid those unwanted pets from humans and unwelcome attention from other animals.
They are naturally curious.
Cats are, in a way, just like children. They’re curious about new things and like to explore, said Dr. Karen van Haaften. Boxes and new things can appear mysterious and hence appealing enough for them to want to get inside.
They could literally be hiding from their problems.
According to the book The Domestic Cat: The Biology of Its Behavior, cats are so terrible at solving problems that they’d rather avoid them altogether. By being in tiny spaces that can only fit one cat, they get to hide alone and not have to face their problems.