Safety with four cardboard walls
Enclosed spaces reduce exposure and give a cat some control over interaction. A box can be a quiet resting place, a hunting hide or simply a new object to inspect. Research in shelter cats suggests that access to hiding boxes can reduce stress during adaptation.
The important ingredient is choice
Provide several safe resting and hiding options, including elevated places. Never pull a cat from a box for social contact. A retreat works because the cat controls entry and exit.
Make the box boringly safe
Remove staples, tape loops and loose handles; keep the box dry and stable; make sure the cat can exit easily. Check every box before moving or recycling it. Cats are excellent at occupying property without updating the registry.
Sources and further reading
Sources support the general information on this page. CatMind is an observation tool, not a veterinary diagnostic service.
Curious what your cat is communicating?
CatMind helps you look more closely at visible and audible behaviour, compare sensible possibilities and keep context in the picture. It does not diagnose health conditions.
Try CatMind for free