When trying to give your cat a little treat, a cardboard box may even be more preferable than the snack variety. Cat owners all know our feline friends will soon claim any empty box that hasn’t been recycled yet. Why is that, though? It largely comes down to their natural instincts.

They’re Good for Ambushing

Our pet cats’ wild ancestors needed to sneak up on their prey before quickly pouncing, and they’d need good cover to do so. While they hardly need to capture their canned food meals these days, that hunting instinct is still ingrained within them. That’s one of the reasons they love to pop into a box. They can stay confined and hidden while looking for prey, which, in the case of housecats, may be human legs, a favorite toy, or another pet in the house they enjoy bugging.

They’re a Safe Space

The close and confined nature of boxes speaks to another instinct in our cats: The need to stay out of view and safe from predators when they’re not on the prowl. The predators in the house are usually not dangerous larger animals, more like humans whose affection they’re not particularly interested in at the moment. The perceived danger could also be stressful situations or new additions they’re trying to avoid in their hideout. Boxes are good for cats looking to adjust to changes or work through stress. A 2019 study found that newly arrived shelter cats who were given boxes as a hideaway had their stress levels lower more quickly than those that didn’t have a box.

They’re a Comfy Bed

By nature, cats run warmer than we do, at just north of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. That means our homes may often be kept at temperatures not entirely to their liking. Hopping into a box allows them to trap their body heat in the confined space, warming up the area around them. It’s also a comforting place to remain out of view while they sleep, which, in nature, would be a vulnerable time.

They Carry Messages From Outside

Cats are also naturally curious, and one of the best detective tools at their disposal is their nose. They’re a powerful tool, too, about 14 times stronger than human noses. One fun place to do detective work is at a brand-new cardboard box that has traveled a long way to make it to their door. It will have picked up many new scents along the way, sharing some “stories” from outside. Cats enjoy learning all about it, especially since it’s shown up in their environment.

They Help Sharpen Cats’ Weapons

Nature has blessed cats with sharp claws with which to secure food, fight off predators, and cause their humans pain when biscuit-making gets a little too intense. Cardboard boxes are a great tool for sharpening their claws, as scratchers are often made of the same material. Cats also enjoy biting cardboard, which may not sharpen their teeth, but it’s more stimulation for another kitty weapon.

They’re a Cat’s Own Jungle Gym

As footage from much larger wild cats will show you, felines are instinctively playful. Cardboard boxes provide a good outlet for that, even for lions and tigers. Boxes allow for lots of fun, from hiding and pouncing to chewing and sniffing every last corner. They’re a good way to ensure your pet cat gets needed enrichment.

How to Make a Box Even More Engaging

Though a cat will love a box regardless of how fancy it may be, there are ways you can make them even more fun. You can make a small box city by connecting them, you can tape it up at the top but cut a “door” in the side, you can place the box on a sturdy perch to allow your cat even more privacy and surveillance opportunities, or you can put an old sweatshirt or a favorite toy in there. Another fun thing to try is cutting small holes in the top to allow for a whack-a-mole type game, or a whack-a-catnip-mole game, anyway. This will allow your cat to enjoy cardboard boxes even more, if that’s possible.