Why do cats like boxes?

Cats are both predators and prey, so an enclosed space protects them on several sides while letting them watch for danger or ambush prey. A 2014 study at an animal shelter in the Netherlands found that newly arrived cats given hiding boxes adapted faster and showed lower stress scores than cats without them. Boxes also provide warmth, since cardboard insulates and cats feel comfortable at temperatures warmer than many humans. A 2021 study even found cats tend to sit inside squares drawn on the floor, including illusory squares, suggesting the outline alone is appealing.