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If you have a cat, you already know that they do some weird and interesting things, like killing birds and giving them to you as “presents.” There’s one habit that’s so fascinating that it’s even been reported by the venerable writers in Smithsonian magazine. Some cats sit on squares or anything square-like, including simple squares made on the floor with tape. For some reason, cats love sitting on them. If you’re wondering why cats sit on squares, even squares of tape, read on!
The 8 Likely Reasons Cats Sit on Squares
1. Cats Love Square Items
Just look at YouTube, and you’ll see thousands of videos of curious cats trying to squeeze into squares of all kinds. That includes things like drawers, boxes, storage bins, wicker baskets, and anything else that’s square. There are also plenty of videos of cats finding square shapes on the floor and sitting or lying down on them for no obvious reason. In other words, for some reason, we might never understand why cats love to sit in and on square things.
2. Cats Feel Secure in Small Defined Spaces
While a cat will sit in a square made of tape on the floor, it’s not a great hiding spot or a safe area to stay. That, however, is one of the big assumed reasons that cats sit in and on squares; to feel safe and secure. A cat will squeeze themselves into a small, square object because, once inside, they feel safe and secure from the world. It’s an easy way to hide, too, although if cats knew how flimsy cardboard is, they might think twice before squeezing into a box to be “safe.”
3. Squares Provide a Sense of Comfort
Some researchers believe, when cats sit on a defined square, regardless if it’s made with tape on the floor, or it being an actual cardboard box, they may feel reassured and comforted. The theory is that, since it’s square, the “box” drawn on the floor with tape may provide some protection and security (which it obviously does not). Still, if your cat feels secure (and there’s nothing around to take that security away) and sitting in a square makes them content and happy, there’s no harm in it.
4. Cats Like the Texture or Feel of the Square
Cats have a keen sense of touch and look for objects with interesting textures. That includes square objects like boxes, a sheet of paper on the floor, a piece of cardboard, and even the shape of a square on a floor with an interesting surface. Not only do they like the feel of textured objects, but since many square objects can be climbed into like a box, they can use them to sharpen their claws or simply get cozy. That feels good to a cat and makes a compelling reason to sit on a square.
5. The Square Is Yours
Although they may seem aloof and uncaring at times, the typical cat loves being around their owner and will do whatever they can to get some “me time” with them. If that means, for example, sitting on your square laptop, desk, or document you’ve been working on for your boss, so be it. They like to sit on these types of squares because they’re yours, and the average cat is also smart enough to know that doing so will immediately get your attention. So, for example, if they’re hungry or want to play, sitting on your square items is a great way to let you know.
6. Some Squares Provide Warmth and Insulation
Cats, like many mammals, like to sit on or near a heat source like a space heater or on the floor above where hot water pipes run. If that spot happens to be a square, the better it is for your cat because they get warmth and security at the same time. A square of cardboard on a cold floor also provides a modicum of insulation from the floor and makes a perfect spot to sit or sleep and stay cozy and warm.
7. Your Cat is Marking the Square with Their Scent
One of the ways cats communicate with other cats is similar to dogs; they “mark” something with their scent. If that something belongs to you, even better, because your cat’s scent says, “keep off; this is my owner’s!” So, for example, a small rug or another square object that belongs to you is very attractive to your cat. Your precious cat will want to sit on it to mark it and keep other cats away.
8. Your Cat Can’t Understand That the Square Isn’t “Real”
Cats have a keen sense of smell and touch, but their sight is different from ours, depending on the proximity and depth of observed objects. Sure, they can see well enough to catch a mouse on the run or a bird taking off in low light settings, but that’s because a cat’s vision is made to see things running and flying fast around them, rather than focusing on fine details. Seeing is one thing, while processing images is another. Cats may see a square made from tape but not fully understand that there are no sides of a box that will give them protection.
Do Cats Understand What Shapes Are?
Scientists and researchers know many things about cats, including that they see less colors than we do. They certainly can see shapes, but it remains unknown how and whether they interpret them. Cats see the visual edges of a shape, and that’s why they can find, and sit on, square shapes with such accuracy. This study, for example, found that even a “box” that wasn’t 3D (or was an optical illusion) would still attract a cat.
Do All Cats Like Sitting on Squares?
While it’s true that many cats love to sit on squares, some couldn’t care less. Many cats, when presented with a square on the floor made with tape, will have no interest in it at all. Some might quickly look and then move on to something more interesting. It all depends on the cat and their particular habits and likes.
In Conclusion
Why do cats sit on squares? As we’ve seen, there are several possible reasons, including that cats may find defined objects provide some level of protection and privacy from the outside world. There are others, too, but the truth is that they are all theories, and we may never know exactly why cats love sitting on squares or in cardboard boxes. However, for some fascinating but ultimately undetermined reason, many cats love sitting on squares and will seek them out.
