Why are cats addicted to cardboard boxes?

Have you ever wondered why cats are addicted to cardboard boxes? Come and discover some of the theories that can explain this feline addiction!

I bet you've come across at least one video of a kitten doing funny things while browsing social media.

Whether on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or even YouTube – which has a lot of content that is compiled from videos in this style – sooner or later you've seen one of those videos that warms your heart, right?

And you may have noticed that the vast majority of these types of videos have two things in common: a kitten making art and a cardboard box.

You don’t have to be a big fan of felines to know that cats have a very close – if not addictive – relationship with cardboard boxes. Yes, regular cardboard boxes, which we find everywhere.

For some reason, cats have a certain obsession with these packages that are so common in our daily lives.

But why are cats addicted to cardboard boxes? Is there any explanation for this peculiar relationship?

That’s what we’re going to discover throughout today’s text!

In this content, you will understand the reason for this curious identification between felines and cardboard boxes.

Throughout the text, we will learn about 3 theories that may explain why felines like the famous cardboard boxes so much.

Why are cats addicted to cardboard boxes?

If you are a cat owner and have a furry friend at home, you may have already experienced the following situation:

You buy a super elaborate and/or expensive toy so that your cat has something to play with and entertain itself.

But the problem is that when the package arrives at your home and you unwrap the contents to give to your kitty, the surprise comes: your cat doesn't even care about the toy itself and just wants to play with the cardboard box.

The first time this happened – whether it was with a toy box from a pet shop or even something for your home – you must have found it strange and had the following question in your head: why are cats addicted to cardboard boxes?

What could be the reason behind the attraction to such a simple type of object that, for us, is far from offering great attractions?

Discover the main reasons that may explain why cats are addicted to cardboard boxes 

Before we begin, we think it is interesting to point out that there is no certainty or very in-depth study on this issue.

But there are some theories that can serve as an explanation for this very popular and, at the same time, very curious craze.

A behavior based on your ancestors

As you can imagine, this behavior has been observed by human beings for some time now.

And of course, at some point, this would become the target of research.

And it was through a study carried out by the University of Utrecht, in the Netherlands, that the first theory that we will address today emerged.

In it, the explanation would be a behavior inherited from their ancestors.

Before felines became pets, their ancestors roamed free in the wild.

And when they faced threatening or stressful situations, they sought shelter in trees, burrows and other types of hiding places.

Of course, the situation is very different today and cats have come to use the boxes more for playing than for hiding – although this still happens from time to time.

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Why are cats addicted to cardboard boxes? The novelty that a cardboard box represents for your feline 

Another theory that could serve as a great explanation for why cats love cardboard boxes is good old curiosity.

As you already know, cats are extremely curious and sensitive to changes.

And for them, boxes can easily represent a novelty in their own daily lives.

This would explain the curious behavior they adopt when a new box arrives at home. 

But when they realize that the box poses no threat to them, it doesn't take long for them to start treating the box as real entertainment.

And the rest you already know.

Why are cats addicted to cardboard boxes? The attraction to the texture and smell of these cardboard boxes 

The third and final theory – and one of the most popular – to explain the reason behind cats’ addiction to cardboard boxes.

In this case, a very plausible explanation would be that cardboard boxes have smells and textures that end up attracting cats a lot.

And combining this fact of attraction with the previous topic – about the interest in new things – this ends up making cardboard boxes true obsessions among self-respecting felines!

Additionally, many cats out there also love cardboard boxes for another reason: the opportunity to scratch the cardboard boxes.

Conclusion

So, were you already aware of this relationship? Did you already know why cats are so addicted to cardboard boxes?

So now you know, right? The next time you find your kitty all entertained with that cardboard box you have left over at home, you'll already know that this behavior is directly linked to your feline's nature.

Therefore, if you value your cat's health and well-being, treat him from time to time and provide a cardboard box to make him happy from time to time. He will love it!

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