Cardboard Boxes and Towels Over Cozy Pet Beds: Understanding Your Cat’s Preferences
If you’re spending money on anything for your cat, a fancy cat bed should not be on your list. They’ll probably prefer a random cardboard box or towel anyway. But why? “Is my cat picky?” “Maybe I should just buy a different bed?” Nope, that's not it. Keep on reading to find out the true answer.
How many cat beds have you returned because your cat rejected them? You probably picked your cat up and put them in each new cat bed, forcing them to try it, only for you to end up back at the store.
But the moment you drop a towel or lay down an empty box, they rush towards it and claim it. So why does your cat prefer a towel or a cardboard box over a fancy cat bed?
Why Cats Prefer Cardboard Boxes
Security and Safety
Cats love closed-off spaces where they can feel hidden and safe. A cardboard box provides a protective shelter that shields them from potential threats, reducing stress and anxiety. It acts as their personal retreat when they need a break from the outside world.
Plus, cardboard and paper traps scent easily. This makes the box feel and smell familiar and safer for them.
Warmth and Insulation
Cardboard is a great insulator so it helps to trap your cat’s body heat.
Since cats prefer temperatures warmer than what humans find comfortable, a cardboard box provides the perfect cosy spot, especially during colder months.
Curiosity and Play
Boxes offer a new texture and scent for your cat to explore. They are excellent playgrounds for scratching, chewing, and pouncing, which help keep your cat entertained and active.
Why Cats Prefer Towels
Softness and Comfort
Cats love soft and plush textures, and towels are just that. The fabric is gentle on their paws and body, so it's an inviting place for rest and relaxation.
Warmth Retention
Towels can absorb and retain body heat and it becomes a warm and cosy resting spot for your cat.
Unlike a pet bed that may have synthetic materials, towels feel more natural and comforting.
Familiarity and Scent
Towels trap familiar household scents and those can be reassuring for cats.
If they’ve been used for drying after a bath or placed in their favorite napping area, they become associated with safety and warmth.
Why Cats Might Not Prefer Pet Beds
Too Open
Most pet beds are open and do not provide the same sense of security as a cardboard box. Cats instinctively seek out spaces where they feel hidden and protected.
Weird, Foreign Smells
Pet beds usually come with synthetic materials or factory scents that aren't appealing to humans, let alone to a cat’s sensitive nose. Without familiar smells, a new pet bed is extremely uninviting.
Not Warm Enough
Some pet beds offer less warmth than a cardboard box or towel. If a bed doesn’t trap heat effectively, your cat will be trying to find cosier alternatives like the towel you just dropped.
Final Thoughts
Your cat is not picky, it's running on instinct juice. Even though that last expensive bed is designed perfectly for all of their needs, they don't always match with their needs.
So instead of trying to find the next perfect cat bed, you're better off leaving a cardboard box filled with towels for them.