Cardboard box or store-bought toy: why your cat sometimes prefers the box
Published by Planète Pets · managing editor: Clément Lacaille · how our guides are written
You come home with a carefully chosen new toy, and your cat settles into the packaging instead. A study by Vinke, Godijn and van der Leij, published in 2014 in Applied Animal Behaviour Science, found that shelter cats given a simple hiding box had their stress scores stabilize about a week earlier than cats without one, the box offering an enclosed space to retreat to at will (see the study). Find all our guides in the cat toys and enrichment category.
Contents · 4 sections
Why is cardboard so appealing?
A box answers two basic feline needs at once: hiding to watch without being seen, and trapping body heat in an enclosed space. A toy, however well designed, usually meets only one need — occupation — while a box checks several boxes at once: shelter, hunting hideout, and thermal comfort.
Does a box really replace toys?
No, the two meet different needs. A box satisfies a need for security and withdrawal, not the predatory instinct that drives a cat to stalk, pounce, and bite. A cat with only boxes and no hunting-style stimulation stays behaviorally under-stimulated, even if it looks relaxed.
How to combine the two wisely
- Always keep one or two boxes available, refreshed regularly so they stay appealing
- Place a hunting-style toy (wand toy, mouse) right next to a box to combine hideout and predatory play
- Don't be surprised if a brand-new toy is ignored for the first few days — the box's novelty fades too, giving the toy its chance
- Avoid boxes that are too small or have sharp edges, which can hurt rather than reassure
Our guide to rotating a cat's toys explains how to keep interest up once the cardboard's novelty has worn off.
Frequently asked questions
Should I still buy toys if my cat loves boxes?
Yes, a box doesn't replace active predatory play, which is essential for a cat's behavioral balance, even for one that seems perfectly content with its cardboard box.
Do all cat breeds love boxes equally?
The trend is general, but its intensity varies with individual temperament — some very active cats quickly abandon the box for climbing or exploration instead.
Can a box replace a proper hideout for a stressed cat?
It can help temporarily, but a persistently stressed cat needs a broader adjustment of its environment, not just a cardboard box.
An accessory from our shop for this use: Automatic tail ball for cats (€17.90) · the whole shop
For your cat, at Le Félin (same family, zero commission): Arbre à chat grande plateforme (from €119.99)
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Cats universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.