Why do cats love boxes?

I always thought it had to do with safety. It’s a small space, not out in the open. And then I saw my Maine Coon mix (i.e. giant) try and cram himself into a really tiny box and I finally decided it’s because cats are just plain weird.

It goes along with this experiment: get a large, open, empty room. Put a piece of paper anywhere on the floor. Look to see where the cat sits.

I’ve always wanted to know why they do this! GQ!

Too big for his box

My cats love to be inside anything and everything they can get into: boxes, bags, purses, cupboards, the laundry basket (empty or with clothes in), under blankets… I always thought it was a safety/comfort thing, too, but I’m not so sure. My sister-in-law got us a small cat tent from Ikea a couple of years ago, and they ignore it most of the time.
Like @mrentropy said, cats love to sit on paper as well. Whether it’s the newspaper I’m reading, the articles I have spread out on my desk, flyers that have come through the mail slot that I haven’t picked up yet, wrapping paper, whatever… they’re on it.
I have a feeling that they know when what they’re doing is silly, and they do silly things on purpose just to amuse or annoy us.

I’m sure that you all sicking of me posting pictures of my kitteh. Ah, well. :)

Frank in toilet paper bag

Frank in a box

Frank in a box 2

Video of Frank in a suitcase with his arch-nemesis, Rudy

Here’s the ur-cat, who belongs to Simon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKvNqe8cKU4

Milo in filing cabinet drawer

They love boxes, for the same reason they love shoelaces. I think if a cat could speak your native language, and tried to explain the appeal of a shoelace or a box with their far inferior frontal lobes, your brain would fall out in an attempt to comprehend.

I think @mrentropy has it right. Cat’s instinctively seek out places where they can see anything coming. High perches, paper bags and boxes all serve that purpose. I think that’s why my cat loves sneaking under the covers so much as well, though I suppose that could just be for warmth.

This is awesome.

I don’t know why they do it, but I LOVE IT! Every time I come home from the store my cat can’t wait for me to unload groceries so she can play with the bag, I sometimes save boxes just for her. It warms my heart to watch her play in them. I♥MY CAT!

Many moons ago, many many moons ago, my cat, Whisker, was heavily pregnant and very close to giving birth, I put an old jersey inside a box and she jumped in immediately and gave birth to kittens soon after, just like that.

There is a wonderful children’s book entitled My Cat Likes to Hide in Boxes

My cat never gets in boxes. However, she likes to stuff her head in shoes.

They don’t actually like boxes, it’s just that there are too few sinks.

I’m not sure myself why they do this. It’s not just boxes but they also like to crawl inside bags, baskets, shirts and almost anything else they can fit in. They probally do this originally out of curiousity then they find the place is comfortable for them and the boxes/etc gives the cat a bit of shelter.

@mama_cakes Look at this one.