Why do cats love boxes? Let us count the ways

By Kim Campbell Thornton

It's the day after Christmas, so we're guessing your house is filled with empty boxes. And we bet your cat is having a heyday with all the surplus "toys."

Cats and boxes go together like ribbons and bows. What's the attraction? We checked with experts to find out.

Cats have a couple of different motivations for getting inside boxes and bags, says feline behavior expert John Wright, professor emeritus of psychology at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. One is play.

Cats can peer out of a box, climb into it or bat it around. They don't seem to care if it already has stuff in it or if they don't quite fit.

"When you see a cat get inside a box or bag, they start to knock around a little bit and bat at it, and if it makes a noise, that's really great," he says.

For shy cats, or those who simply want some "me" time, boxes provide security and sanctuary. After all, while cats are predators in their own right, they are also small enough to be prey. A box can be a secure hiding place where a cat feels safe from potential threats.

Boxes are also resources in multicat households. If you have more than one cat, you've probably noticed that one gets first pick of toys, food and, yes, hiding places like boxes. When the top cat claims a box, Wright says, other cats won't approach it.

Having access to a box where they can hide has even been shown to reduce stress in shelter cats. Researchers at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands published a paper in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science, which found that cats in shelters who had a hiding box had lower stress scores. In case you didn't know, a cat's stress levels are judged using the Kessler-Turner Cat Stress Score -- a system that rates feline stress on a scale from 1 to 7, ranging from relaxed to terrified.

Before you mutter something about silly research topics, keep in mind that a happy cat is a healthier cat. The authors write: "Domestic cats (Felis sylvestris catus) can experience serious stress in shelters. Stressful experiences can have a major impact on the cats' welfare and may cause higher incidences of infectious diseases in the shelters."

The presence of a box can reduce that risk. The study found that over a two-week period, the shelter cats with a hiding box attained reduced stress levels and adapted more quickly to their new environment than their no-box counterparts.

"The hiding box appears to be an important enrichment for the cat to cope effectively with stressors in a new shelter environment the first weeks after arrival," the researchers conclude.

Not every cat is attracted to boxes. Shy cats may be afraid to approach them, and even adventurous cats may avoid boxes that aren't in their own territory, Wright says.

In one experiment, kittens from two different fathers -- one who produced friendly kittens and one who produced shy kittens -- were placed in an area with a cardboard box they'd never seen before. The kittens with the friendly father were first to explore it, while the others held back. The fathers' genetic influence affected how the kittens reacted to anything unfamiliar.

If your cat loves playing in boxes, you can increase his enjoyment by changing things up, Wright says. Offer boxes in different sizes, or put his box in a different place. In a new environment, set out several boxes to give your cat a place to relax. Your cat will love you for it.

Q&A

Clearing up

tear stains

Q: I have a 7-year-old female poodle-bichon frise, and I have to clean beneath her eyes every day because they tear so much. The staining eventually turns dark brown. What can I do to stop the weeping? -- via email

A: This is a common question asked by owners of white or light-colored dogs. Bichons, poodles, Maltese, Shih Tzu and Lhasa apso are among the breeds often seen with reddish-brown tear stains beneath the eyes, but any dog can have this problem.

The stains can have many possible causes. They include blocked tear ducts, ingrown eyelashes, dental issues such as retained baby teeth, or eye or ear infections.

Sometimes eyelashes grow where they're not supposed to, emerging from glands within the eyelid, rubbing against and irritating the cornea. This condition, called distichiasis, can be hereditary. Depending on its severity, dogs may need eye ointments or surgery to relieve the irritation. Ointments help to lubricate the eye while surgery destroys the hair follicles. Your veterinarian can pluck the hairs, but this is only a temporary fix and must be repeated every month or two.

Eye infections or dental infections can cause excessive tearing. Your dog may need a course of antibiotics or surgical removal of an abscessed tooth or baby teeth that didn't fall out.

Note that eye stain removers contain low levels of antibiotics. The FDA issued a warning to the manufacturers in 2014 about these products because the drugs are not approved for removing tear stains in dogs and cats and have not been reviewed by the FDA for safety and effectiveness.

This is usually much more than a cosmetic issue. The best thing you can do is to take your dog to the veterinarian or a veterinary ophthalmologist to get to the root of the problem. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Territorial rule:

Why cats spray

-- If your cat is standing with tail high and vibrating, raising and lowering the back paws, watch out! He's about to spray -- in other words, to release a stream of urine, usually onto a vertical surface. Spraying is not a matter of your cat refusing to use the litter box. Instead, the behavior is a way for cats to mark territory. Spraying is the feline equivalent of posting a "no trespassing" sign. It's also a way for cats to feel more secure, by making their surroundings smell like themselves. Tomcats are the worst offenders, but neutered males and females will also spray.

-- Puppies are adorable, even when they're naughty. Maybe especially when they're naughty. You catch your little fluffball with your slipper in his mouth or halfway through the destruction of yet another roll of toilet paper, and instead of being upset, you laugh, grab your phone and record yet another YouTube upload. It is funny, but your puppy is never going to learn to leave slippers and toilet paper alone if you aren't consistent about what's acceptable behavior and what's not. Swap the slipper or toilet paper for something he's allowed to play with, and then praise him for using it. Now you're on the right track!

-- The field spaniel is a mid-size dog: larger than a cocker spaniel but smaller than an English springer spaniel. This rare breed is an excellent family companion, a solid bird dog in field trials and terrific in tracking tests. The field spaniel is a busy, funny dog with a moderate to high energy level. Field spaniels are typically a solid liver color but can also be black, blue roan, black and tan, golden liver and liver roan. Their silky coat is easy to care for with once- or twice-weekly brushing. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker.

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

We've gathered answers for 6 common holiday situations faced by pet lovers

It's that time of year again. People are wondering "Should I tip my dog's groomer?", "What should I get for my pet-loving friends?" and "Is it OK to take cookies to my vet?" You have questions; we have answers.

What's a great gift for my pet sitter, dog groomer or dog walker? It's hard to go wrong with cash stashed inside a cute pet-themed card, signed with your pet's name (and yours). Consider giving the cost of one session or visit. A gift certificate for a manicure or a gift card to a favorite coffee shop may also be welcome.

Should I get my veterinarian a gift? It's definitely not required, but many pet owners enjoy sharing holiday goodies with their pets' other best friends.

"Our amazing clients give us all kinds of goodies, from cookies to candies to fully catered lunch to pizza to gift cards for the staff," says Gershon L. Alaluf, DVM, at Canyon Animal Hospital in Laguna Beach, California. "We are always very thankful and very happy to receive every gift given, and every last morsel is ingested."

My dog pooped on my parents' carpet. What should I do? Oops! We hope you brought a good enzymatic cleanser and some cleanup towels with you. Clean it up as best you can, and offer to have the carpet professionally cleaned. It's a small price to pay for family amity.

What's a good gift for pet-loving friends and family? Find out what kinds of bedding and other products they already use or how their pet likes to play. For instance, if the dog is a tough chewer or loves fetching balls, take those preferences into account. Dr. Becker's QT loves squeaky toys, and Mikkel's pug, Willy, is a connoisseur of small, soft, fuzzy toys without stuffing. The Thornton dogs favor treats above all else.

"A personalized item is thoughtful, too," Mikkel adds, "such as a bed, collar or bowl, or breed-specific items like calendars, cards or stationery."

Do the person and dog participate in a sport? A supply of dog treats or a new treat bag will be appreciated. For the pet and pet lover who have everything, make a donation to a pet charity in their name. A couple of our favorites are World Vets (worldvets.org) and The Grey Muzzle Organization (greymuzzle.org).

Is it OK to bring my pet to the family holiday gathering? Always ask first, and respect the response, even if it's negative. Not everyone loves pets as much as we do, and some people suffer from allergies or animal-related phobias. If you must bring your pet, plan to stay in a hotel, and consider your pet a good excuse to go take a walk or have some down time to yourself.

Should I get my family a pet for Christmas? There used to be a sentiment that it was a bad idea to get pets during the holidays, but if done right, it can be a joyful experience. Studies show that pets given as gifts are just as likely to stay in homes and are just as well loved as animals acquired at other times or in other ways.

"Any time someone is considering bringing an animal into a home, they should be mindful of the commitment and give thought to what type of pet will be best for the family and lifestyle," says Kristi Littrell, adoption manager for Best Friends Animal Society.

If you have time off during the holidays, that can be a good opportunity to spend time with and start training a new pet. If that's not an option, present your family with a gift card or certificate from your local animal shelter, rescue group or a reputable breeder. Then you can all go choose your pet together when the time is right.

Q&A

Avian obesity is

plus-size problem

Q: My veterinarian says my bird is fat. Is that really something I need to worry about? -- via Facebook

A: You bet! Obesity is as much an issue in pet birds as it is in dogs and cats. An overweight bird can be predisposed to metabolic diseases such as diabetes. He can also become arthritic or develop fatty liver disease.

Certain species tend to be more likely to grow tubby -- Amazon parrots, parakeets, canaries, cockatoos and Quaker parakeets -- but any bird can gain too much weight if he's allowed to eat whatever he wants. Pet birds may start out on good diets but become choosy with age, deciding they are going to eat only one or two types of food.

Don't let your bird get away with that. He's most likely to have a balanced diet if he eats a variety of foods. A pelleted diet supplemented by healthy food from your own plate is the best way to feed him. Birds can and will eat pasta, cooked chicken, scrambled eggs, beans and most fruits and vegetables. Avian expert Scott Weldy, DVM, says that most birds do well on a diet of 70 to 80 percent pelleted food and 20 to 30 percent fresh or cooked food.

Avoid giving birds avocado, onion, mushrooms or chocolate, all of which have toxic effects. Highly salted foods are a no-no as well.

What's the key to determining if your bird is overweight? Birds with cleavage rivaling that of a Hollywood starlet are too fat. Birds should be lean and sleek, with no cleavage at all, Dr. Weldy says. If you can't feel your bird's keelbone because it's covered by a layer of fat, talk to your veterinarian about ways to help him get back to a healthy weight. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Downward, uh, cat?

Yoga class makes mews

-- Cat pose, anyone? Yoga with cats is the latest exercise trend to fill studios and, yes, shelters nationwide. Not surprising, since cats are masters at contorting themselves into difficult positions. Having the classes at a shelter or cat cafe is a way to bring adoptable cats to people's attention. In some cases, the fee for the class is donated to the shelter. Cats stroll among attendees, some demonstrating their own skills, others batting at downward-hanging ponytails. And even if your form isn't perfect, a rub from a friendly cat can help to lower your blood pressure.

-- Kiah, a pit bull, was found in a shelter in Kirby, Texas, recovering from a brutal hammer blow to the head. Lucky for her, she was chosen for a program to train pit bulls for law enforcement work and was soon recognized as a gifted trainee. After graduation, she was placed with Officer Justin Bruzgul as a narcotics and missing persons detection dog for the Poughkeepsie, New York, police department. Bruzgul and Kiah visit schools and conferences to educate the public about the importance of animal shelters and rescue, and they recently received the 2016 ASPCA Public Service Award.

-- A clean hamster is a happy hamster. The furry little critters groom themselves frequently and enjoy a nice sand bath every once in a while. You can purchase chinchilla bathing sand (not dust, which can cause respiratory problems) at pet supply stores. Offer fresh bathing sand every time, and remove it when your hamster has rolled to his heart's content. Brush him off as well. Avoid giving your hamster a water bath. If he does get wet, dry him thoroughly with a towel and keep him out of drafts. If your hamster doesn't groom himself regularly, take him to the veterinarian for a checkup. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton, Mikkel Becker.

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

What makes your tabby tick? Three new books answer your questions about cats

We at Pet Connection have always suspected that cats are aliens who have enslaved us to do their furry bidding. They train us to feed them, scoop their litter boxes and be their sidekicks -- when they want us to be.

Cats are the most popular pets in the United States, with between 74 and 96 million of them sharing our homes. More than half a billion have colonized the world. And yet, they are still alien to many people. Fortunately, three authors have taken on the challenge of revealing the secrets of cats in all their infinite variety.

Abigail Tucker grew up with cats, but it wasn't until she became a mother herself that the science writer began to explore the lure of the cat, struck by her daughters' absorption with them. With her cat Cheetoh as muse, she explores feline natural history, behavior and relationships with humans in her book "The Lion in the Living Room."

There are lots of theories about why cats and people joined forces. Usually, it's related to cats protecting food from vermin. But when cats came indoors as companions, it was a real game-changer. Tucker's exploration of the results of that move, in the chapter "Pandora's Litter Box," is both funny and fascinating. Other chapters address wild cats, feline evolution, the war between cats and birders, feline genetics, exotic cat breeds and more.

Whereas Tucker gives an overarching view of the little hypercarnivores, cat expert Ramona Marek has written a guide to living with them successfully. Marek says the biggest mistake people make with cats is believing the myth that they are self-sufficient, aloof and solitary.

"This notion leads to cats being thought of as 'disposable' or able to survive on their own," she says. "Cats are domesticated companion animals who depend on us for food, social interaction and health care. We need to uphold our end of the domestication process."

In "Cats for the GENIUS," Marek offers readers the opportunity to "create a paw-sitive relationship with your cat from the start!" With advice on everything from A (acquisition) to V (vocalizations), she educates new owners about cat habits and needs they might never have considered. For instance, she says people are often surprised to learn that cats prefer to have food and water in different areas. They don't know that cats are true carnivores with specific nutritional requirements. "Catification hacks" help them set up their homes in ways cats will like.

"By recognizing normal feline behavior, we can accommodate the home environment to fit their needs, which helps build a stronger, positive human-animal bond, keeping more cats in homes and out of shelters," she says.

For a more specialized take on feline foibles, award-winning author Dusty Rainbolt talks to veterinarians, veterinary behaviorists and cat consultants about the No. 1 -- and No. 2 -- cat behavior problem: inappropriate elimination. In other words, not using the litter box.

In "Cat Scene Investigator: Solve Your Cat's Litter Box Mystery," Rainbolt takes readers through the detective work necessary to figure out which cat is the culprit in a multipet home, why he's breaking cat law by peeing or pooping outside the box and how to send him to rehab instead of death row. Often, he's not misbehaving at all, but reacting to a treatable medical problem or a conflict with a person or other pet. Rainbolt's tips address how to identify and resolve issues and, best of all, how to get rid of the stain and stink.

"Litter box behavior is complicated," Rainbolt says. "It's like a mile-long mathematical equation. There are a lot of potential variables. But once you figure out what the variables are, you can solve the problem."

Q&A

Don't brush off

pet dental care

Q: I have a greyhound, and I know from past experience that they get a lot of tartar buildup. What's the best way to care for her teeth? -- via Facebook

A: You're not alone. Greyhounds, cavalier King Charles spaniels and other toy breeds, and many other dogs have a strong tendency toward periodontal disease. By the time they are 2 to 3 years old, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats have some level of dental disease, and it only gets worse throughout life if they don't get good home care and regular professional cleanings. Nasty breath that could knock a horse over isn't normal; here are some things you can do to prevent it and keep your dog's mouth healthy.

I say this all the time: Brush your dog's teeth every day. If you're not sure how, ask your veterinarian for a demo. Using a soft-bristled brush or even just some gauze held at a 45-degree angle to the tooth, clean the teeth with a circular motion. Use flavored pet toothpaste to improve your greyhound's acceptance of the process. Avoid using toothpaste made for people; it contains ingredients that can upset your dog's stomach, since she swallows instead of spits.

If your dog is reluctant, do one tooth, praise her and give a treat. Come back later and do another one, followed by praise and a treat. A dental chew or treat serves double duty by rewarding your dog and working to remove plaque or prevent it from developing into tartar. Eventually, your dog should come to accept having all of her teeth brushed at once.

Some dogs are not good candidates for teeth brushing. If that's the case with your dog, ask your veterinarian about dental chews, sealants and other products that may help prevent plaque and tartar buildup. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Canine warmups

prevent injury

-- Are you warming up your dog before you take him for a walk or run, or head into the agility ring or a nose-work trial? You might be making a mistake if you're not, especially if your dog has been crated for any length of time beforehand. Before asking your dog to do something that requires enthusiasm and muscular effort, Cindy Otto, DVM, a veterinary sports medicine expert, recommends first having him do some sits and downs, active stretches and a little trotting around, followed by a good rubdown to get the blood flowing.

-- All cats are black and all cats are tabbies, says feline expert Joan Miller. What the heck does that mean? Turns out that whether you see the tabby pattern depends on whether the cat carries the agouti (ticked) gene or the non-agouti gene. A solid-colored cat with a non-agouti gene will sometimes show the tabby pattern at birth or in sunlight. If you look at a black cat in sunlight, you can often see the underlying stripes well enough to tell if he's a mackerel tabby or a classic tabby. Cats who are ticked tabbies don't show any stripes.

-- The "Birdie Bus" in Phoenix takes parrots for a ride -- to a new home. It's a mobile adoption unit that takes birds in need of a home around town so that potential adopters can meet them. "A lot of people don't realize there is such a thing as bird rescue," says Ginger Duplisse, president of Ginger's Parrot Rescue in Gilbert, Arizona. Riding in the bus is also an enriching experience for the birds, giving them a chance to socialize and to interact with humans. Besides adopters, the organization welcomes volunteers and donations. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.