Why do cats like to drill paper boxes?

 8:11am, 26 May 2025

In our daily life with cats, we often find that they have a special liking for cardboard boxes. Whether it is newly unpacked express boxes, idle shoe boxes, or small food packaging boxes, they can become cats' paradise. This phenomenon has made many cat owners curious about why cats prefer paper boxes so much? Today, let’s take a deeper look at the professional knowledge behind cats’ love for drilling paper boxes.

First of all, from the nature of cats, they are born hunters with strong curiosity and desire to explore. As an enclosed space, the carton provides a small world full of mystery for the cat. In this space, cats can use their imagination to their fullest, explore unknown areas, and satisfy their curiosity.

Secondly, the material and structure of the carton also provide a good touch experience for the cat. The surface of the carton is usually rough, helping the cat to sharpen its claws, while the interior of the carton is soft and comfortable, providing a warm place for the cat to rest. In addition, the edges and corners of the carton also provide cats with space to play and hide, allowing them to find fun and security there.

In addition to the above reasons, cats' preference for drilling paper boxes is also related to their territorial awareness. Cats are very territorial animals. They will maintain their territorial security by marking their territory, inspecting the environment, etc. As a space that can be easily occupied by cats, the carton naturally becomes the object of their territorial consciousness. In the carton, the cat can feel that his territory is protected, thus gaining a sense of security.

In addition, cats' preference for drilling paper boxes may also be related to their self-comfortable instinct. When facing unfamiliar environments or stressful situations, cats will look for some safe places to hide to reduce their stress and uneasiness. As an enclosed and private space, the carton provides a quiet haven for cats to calm their emotions and restore peace.

From a scientific point of view, the behavior of a cat drilling carton is also related to its brain structure. There is a part of the cat's brain that processes space and perceives information, which is particularly sensitive to enclosed spaces and corners. Therefore, when cats encounter spaces like cartons, their brains will naturally be attracted, prompting them to explore and occupy the space.

Of course, we cannot ignore the individual differences between cats. Each cat has different personalities and preferences. Some cats may prefer open spaces, while others prefer small enclosed spaces. Therefore, while most cats prefer to drill paper boxes, there are exceptions.

So, as cat owners, how should we correctly treat cats' behavior of drilling paper boxes? First of all, we must ensure the safety of the carton and avoid using toxic or sharp materials to make the carton to avoid causing harm to the cat. Secondly, we can prepare some special carton toys or cat nests for cats to meet their desire to explore and rest. At the same time, we should also pay attention to keeping the cat's living environment clean and hygienic, clean the cartons and cat's nest regularly to prevent bacteria from growing.

Finally, we also need to respect the cat's personality and preferences. If cats don't like drilling paper boxes, we don't have to force them to adapt to this behavior. On the contrary, we should provide cats with a comfortable and safe living environment based on their preferences and needs, so that they can grow up healthily and happily.

In short, cats like to drill paper boxes contain rich professional knowledge. As cat owners, we should have a deep understanding of the nature and needs of cats, and provide them with a suitable living environment so that they can fully demonstrate their personality and charm. At the same time, we should also pay attention to the mental health and happiness of cats, so that they can have a wonderful cat life with our company.