The Box Was Headed for Recycling. The Scottish Fold Had Other Plans.
The box was supposed to go out with the recycling. Instead, it has a new tenant. This cream Scottish Fold has wedged itself into a small cardboard box with ragged, chewed-looking flaps, its round body filling every inch of available space. One front flap hangs open like a front porch. The folded ears are tucked low, the copper eyes are fixed firmly on the wall, and the whole posture says this was always the plan and nobody should mention the torn edges.
The feline love of boxes is one of the most familiar cat behaviors there is, and it has sensible roots. Enclosed spaces make cats feel secure, because their backs are protected and they can watch the world from a safe spot. Cardboard is also a good insulator, so a box can feel cozy and warm. Many cats enjoy scratching and chewing the edges too, which is a normal way to mark territory and burn off energy. Offering a sturdy box or a covered cat bed is an inexpensive way to give an anxious or bored cat somewhere to retreat. Just remove tape, staples, and plastic first, so nothing sharp or swallowable is left behind.
The box may be a little small, and the cat may be a little large, but that has never stopped a determined feline. If it fits, they sit. And if it does not quite fit, they sit anyway and dare you to say otherwise.
