If you live with a cat, you already know it all too well: you can buy them the fluffiest bed, the fanciest scratching post, or the most expensive toy… but if you leave an empty cardboard box lying around, congratulations — your cat has a new throne.
So, what lies behind this deep fascination with boxes?
At Ownat, we love observing and understanding animals in order to offer them the very best. That’s why today we’re going to explain why boxes are, without a doubt, your cat’s favorite object (and no, it’s not a coincidence). Let’s unravel this mystery — as adorable as it is puzzling!
1. A refuge that makes them feel safe
The first major reason is security. Boxes are enclosed spaces, with clear boundaries, and that’s exactly what a cat looks for when they want to feel protected. In the wild, felines tend to hide in tight, dark, and quiet places to protect themselves from predators or simply to rest undisturbed.
So when your cat climbs into a box, it’s not because they think it’s cute — it’s because it offers them calm and protection: a refuge where they can disconnect from the world (even if that world is your perfectly peaceful living room).
🔍 Tip: If you’ve just adopted a cat, leaving several boxes around the house can help them adapt more easily. And for cats prone to stress, a simple refuge like this can make a big difference.
2. Less stress, more well-being
Boxes don’t just provide physical safety — they also offer what many vets call a “mental or emotional refuge.” A study from Utrecht University found that cats with access to boxes showed lower stress levels and better adaptation to new environments, such as shelters or new homes.
At Ownat, we believe a cat’s emotional well-being is just as important as their diet. That’s why our recipes — like the Ownat Care Urinary range — are designed to keep their systems balanced, which is essential when stress can impact urinary health.
3. Pure feline curiosity
What’s inside? Is it new? Does it smell different? Can I fit in it?
Your cat asks themselves all of these questions every time they spot a box in their territory. Curiosity is in their DNA, and a cardboard box is the perfect toy: unfamiliar, easy to explore, and full of potential.
It also contributes to the environmental enrichment that cats need to stay mentally stimulated and happy. To take enrichment further, you can combine boxes with interactive toys and fill them with our Ownat wet food range, which stimulates their senses through irresistible textures and aromas.
4. The perfect hideout for play
There isn’t a cat alive who hasn’t jumped out of a box to surprise their “prey” — even if that “prey” is your foot, pant leg, or a ball. Boxes are the perfect setting for mock hunting, ambushes, and stalking. It’s not just an outlet for their hunting instinct — it’s also a natural form of exercise that helps them stay in shape.
👉 If your cat needs help managing their weight, active play combined with the right nutrition is the perfect match. At Ownat, we offer options like Ownat Care Weight Control, ideal for less active cats or those prone to gaining weight.
