为什么猫喜欢盒子？

杨舟

The idea of a plain， brown box doesnt seem supper appealing to humans. However， people do know one thing all cats love—boxes. Why do cats like boxes？

一个简单的棕色盒子对人类来说并不是很有吸引力。然而，人们知道所有的猫都喜欢一样东西——盒子。为什么猫会喜欢盒子呢？

Cats crave security

Although there are several theories about why cats like boxes， assistant professor Mark D. Freeman says the most widely accepted explanation is the security factor. “Cats are， by nature， cryptic1 animals， meaning they prefer to have a safe hiding spot from which they can observe the world around them，” says Dr. Freeman. “Cats are both hunter and prey2， so having a secure space from which they can monitor for threats from predators3 as well as for appealing prey is ideal.” Cardboard boxes， or any small， confined4 space， provide the perfect “safe” spot for cats to avoid predators and catch a meal.

猫渴望安全

尽管有几种关于猫为什么喜欢盒子的理论，但是助理教授马克·D·弗里曼说，最广为接受的解释是安全因素。“从本质上讲，猫是一种神秘的动物，这意味着它们更喜欢有一个安全的藏身处，它们可以在那里观察周围的世界。”弗里曼博士说，“猫既是捕猎者又是猎物，因此理想的情况是拥有一个安全的空间，它们可以从中监视来自捕猎者的威胁并吸引猎物。”纸板箱，或任何小的、有限的空间，为猫提供了完美的“安全”地点，以躲避捕猎者和捕捉猎物。

Cats require warmth

Cats also like boxes because they find them physically comforting， according to Daniel Rotman， CEO of PrettyLitter. “Boxes can greatly reduce a cats stress and help cats regulate their body temperatures，” says Rotman. The optimal5 ambient temperature for cats to maintain their body temperature is upwards of 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Small enclosed spaces， like cardboard boxes， provide insulation6 that keeps your feline family member warm and safe， according to Rotman.

Why do cats like boxes more than others？ If you have a kitten， a slender cat， or a cat with short hair， however， you might find them curled up in a box when they arent lounging7 in the sun or snuggling8 in your fresh laundry. That craving for warmth is partly why cats purr9， too.

貓需要温暖

根据PrettyLitter（美国购物网站）的首席执行官丹尼尔·罗特曼的说法，猫喜欢盒子，还因为它们生理上觉得舒服。“盒子可以大大减轻猫的压力，帮助猫调节体温。”罗特曼说。猫保持体温的最佳室温是85华氏度以上。罗特曼说，小的封闭空间，如纸板箱，提供了保温材料，可以让你的猫科家庭成员保持温暖和安全。

为什么猫比其他动物更喜欢盒子？如果你有一只小猫，一只纤瘦的猫，或是一只短毛的猫，当它们不在阳光下躺着，也没有蜷缩在你刚洗好的衣服里时，你就可能在盒子里发现它们。对温暖的渴望也是猫发出呜呜声的部分原因。

Is it safe for your cat to be near cardboard？

Cardboard boxes have a textural element that cats really enjoy. “Youll often find them scratching， chewing， and otherwise mangling the cardboard， which is a great source of entertainment and pleasure for the cat，” says Dr. Freeman. The cardboard is a good place for cats to scratch and bite， too. Cardboard provides hours of entertainment for your fur baby.

Giving your cat cardboard and cardboard boxes might even help their anxiety. “When a cat is over-stimulated， tired， or just in need of a break， a box gives them the ability to recharge until theyre ready to come out and play again，” Rotman says. So giving your cat some cardboard is something theyll appreciate.

Boxes are also pretty safe as long as they are on a sturdy10 surface away from heaters or high foot-traffic areas. Make sure no staples11 or tape in the box could hurt your cat， warns Rotman. “Make sure to examine any box before you give it to your cat to explore， especially since cats have a tendency to rub12 up against things，” says Rotman.

你的貓靠近纸板安全吗？

纸板箱是猫真正喜欢的质地。“你经常会发现它们在抓挠、嚼，或者弄脏纸板，这对猫来说是一种很好的娱乐活动和乐趣所在。”弗里曼博士说。纸板也是适合猫抓咬的好地方。它能为你的“毛绒宝宝”提供数小时的娱乐。

给你的猫纸板和纸板箱甚至可以帮助它们解除焦虑。罗特曼说：“当一只猫受到过度刺激、疲劳或只是需要休息时，盒子可以给它们充电，直到它们准备好再次出来玩耍。”所以给你的猫一些纸板，它们会非常喜欢。

只要放在坚固的表面上，远离加热器或人来人往的区域，盒子就非常安全。罗特曼警告说，要确保盒子里没有钉书钉或胶带伤害你的猫。“在把盒子交给你的猫去玩之前，一定要检查一下，因为猫有摩擦东西的倾向。”罗特曼说。