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A silver tabby cat and a tortoise sit together in an open cardboard box on a living room floor. 15 / 21

A Silver Tabby and a Tortoise Squeeze Into One Cardboard Box

AI imagesilver tabbytortoisecardboard box

A cardboard box has been left open on the floor, and a silver tabby has claimed it, head turned alertly to the left. Squeezed into the box beside her, Gus the tortoise sits with his head forward, as if he were also waiting to be shipped somewhere. Behind them, a basket of clothes, slippers and a wall in need of paint add to the lived-in feel. The tabby's stripes are crisp, her eyes bright yellow. The box is just big enough for the two of them. A slipper lies tipped over by the doorway, a clue about how the afternoon began.

Cats are famously attracted to boxes, and the reason is partly instinct. A snug space makes them feel hidden and secure, and it helps them keep warm. Cardboard also insulates well. Boxes are a great, cheap enrichment for indoor cats, as long as you cut away any tape or staples first. For tortoises, a box can feel like a hiding spot, too, though they need a proper enclosure with heat, light and humidity suited to the species. If a tortoise is allowed to wander the house, keep it away from stairs, cords and other pets. Offering both a box and a bed gives a cat choices, and she'll pick whichever feels best.

Sometimes the best seat in the house is the one that arrived in the mail. They fit, just barely, and that's all that matters.

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