Many cats seem to prefer an empty box to the soft bed you chose for them. There is a good reason for this, because a small enclosed space feels safe. From inside, a cat can watch the room without being watched in return. Offering such a hiding place at home costs almost nothing and takes hardly any effort.
Choose a sturdy cardboard box or a low basket big enough for the cat to turn round in. Cut a wide opening on one side so the cat can come and go easily. Line the bottom with an old jumper or a soft towel that already smells of the household. Avoid anything with loose threads that could catch in a claw.
Where to put it
Place the box in a corner of a room where the family spends time, but not right in the middle of it. The cat wants to feel part of things without being in the way. A spot beside a sofa or under a table is often ideal. Keep it away from loud appliances and busy doorways.
Do not be surprised if the cat ignores the box at first. Cats like to decide for themselves, and new objects need to be sniffed and judged carefully. Leave the box where it is and let curiosity do the work over the next few days. Never push the cat inside, because that only makes the box less inviting.
A hiding place should always stay a place of safety and quiet for the cat. If the cat is inside, let it be, and ask children and visitors to do the same. Nobody should reach in to stroke it or pull it out. That trust is what makes the box worth having at all, and it builds slowly.
Boxes wear out, so replace an old one when the edges begin to sag. A basket lasts longer, though some cats simply prefer the crackle of cardboard. You could keep two hiding places in different rooms and see which one is chosen. Whichever the cat picks, it will be glad to have a choice.
