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Cats are notorious for being mischievous little geniuses who make the rules anywhere they set paw in. From going wherever they like and yowling for food at 3 AM in the morning to pouncing around the house and using their adorably dangerous claws like there’s no tomorrow, these are just some quirky things our beloved fur babies do.
However, even their intelligence sometimes succumbs to the lure of the cardboard box. Or a kitchen sink. Or even a cloth. So today, we’re taking a look at the extremely rare instances when pet owners had the upper hand by using the perplexing feline superpower of squeezing and cramming themselves into the weirdest places to their own advantage.
Thanks to 'The Cat Trap Is Working,' we have an amazing collection of cases captured on camera to study this phenomenon firsthand. And let me tell you, the results are purre entertainment and goofy wholesomeness combined. So continue scrolling, upvote your favorites, and let us know what you think of them in the comments! Then don’t miss the chat we had about this mysterious cat logic with clinical animal behaviorist Sally Chamberlain.
Pspsps! Check out even more cute pics of cats being "caught" by random objects in Part 1 of this feature right here.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
I Waited Two Days For This Picture
RELATED:
#2
I Know It Isn't A Box But My Cat Loves To Sit On Kitchen Cloths!!
Alysia Grey 3 years ago
My last apartment was in a very cat-friendly building. So much so, that both maintenance guys had neatly-folded towels on their maintenance carts. The towels were for tenants’ cats to sit while they supervised any maintenance work. It worked like a charm for one of my cats. The other preferred to observe from the poor maintenance guy’s shoulder, because he was So Tall. He didn’t mind, though (and we rescued him quickly!). 😹
Jen M 3 years ago (edited)
I read they like to sit on squares. Boxes, flat sheets of paper, even a taped outline on the floor. I used to struggle with my cat sitting on my drawings while trying to price up some construction projects for work. I started setting out decoy paper sheets. She sat on those and watched me work, rather than sit on the drawings I needed to use. Thanks random internet poster! You made my life so much easier!
LongCoolWomanInABlackDress 3 years ago
Square, rectangular, they will sit on it. Mine sat on an envelope once and I spent hours looking for it
#3
I Was Sent Here To Show You How Effective Cat Traps Can Be At The Foot Of The Bed. Everyone Tucked In Nicely, Nobody Gets Squashed In Their Sleep!
Marilyn Russell 3 years ago
That’s awesome! I put a bunch of boxes around the house the other day and caught my cats in all of them at various times. It was hilarious!
boredkitten 3 years ago
And you can name them by what is written on their boxes: Propel, Egofine, Mango...
Cats come in all shapes, paws, and sizes. And a brief scroll through 'The Cat Trap Is Working' subreddit (and the myriad of ways owners successfully "catch" their companions) will show you that they also possess a magical ability to turn into liquid. This online group has been an excellent outlet for cat lovers to poke fun at their fur babies’ bizarre temptation to squeeze and climb into the weirdest places. Not to mention, we get to see their amazing trap-setting skills and see that even these especially clever goofballs can fall for the bait.
But what lies behind this mysterious urge to lie down, sit on, or find shelter in the most peculiar places? We reached out to Sally Chamberlain, a UK-based clinical animal behaviorist and author of Power Of The Purr.
Feeling extremely passionate about her work, she founded Karma Paws Pet Care where she provides consultations, cat training, and preventive advice, so she was more than happy to share her thoughts on the matter.
#4
For Some Reason This Particular Bag Of Groceries Was Heavier Than The Rest
Shyla Bouche 3 years ago
What aisle were the cats on? I have lots of trouble finding them at my grocery store.
Your Local Slytherin 3 years ago
Imagine if its not her cat and it somehow got into her groceries
#5
Owner Sacrifices Own Life To Not Disturb The Kitty
Hannah Finley 3 years ago
Gonna go out on a limb and say this person REALLY likes yellow, even the cat matches the aesthetic
Ruth Harper 3 years ago
This is how it works. If your cat wants to lay on you, you are not allowed to move until kitty wants to.
#6
Caught A Couple Of Criminals
"Cats are a predator and prey species, which means they hunt but their wild counterparts and ancestors were hunted by larger animals in the wild," Chamberlain told Bored Panda. "They may seek out high places to rest or places that look uncomfortable to humans because they are physically very flexible and like to have a warm, safe vantage point."
According to the expert, some of our feline pals prefer climbing onto high places, while others like to stay down low. “They can curl up anywhere and get into some very tight spaces. It’s surprising how easy it is for a cat to go 'missing', even when they are indoors-only," Chamberlain added.
#7
He Loves Legos Very Much
Fraxinus excelsior 3 years ago
Don't want to sound pedantic, but, the plural of Lego is Lego. Even the company call multiple pieces of Lego, Lego. Rant over. Thank you for listening.
Mindy Megas-Loucks 3 years ago
A lot of cats actually *live* in the coliseum! Descendants of the lions...
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#8
After Making A Pan Of Brownies, I Covered It With A Hand Towel To Protect It From Curious Cats. This Only Attracted Racer To A Comfy Brownie Bed
tuzdayschild 3 years ago
Yeah, that's really cute but I'm not eating that.
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Shyla Bouche 3 years ago
Eating and napping combined. Why wouldn't Racer take advantage of the situation?
#9
He Forgot His Poptart Outside The Trap!
Dragon Wendy 3 years ago
Hahaha my older cat loves to be under a laundry basket like this, but younger cat is always equally shocked to see that.
Liz Downing 3 years ago
I must admit I upvote anything with a cat in it. Some I want to click twice.
Marilyn Russell 3 years ago
Ha! I rescued a former barn cat who was a real jerk to my other cats and the only way to calm him down was to put a wicker basket like that on top of him. It became his happy place and he would curl up and fall asleep. Sometimes he would stick his paw out like that, or his head would pop in and out. I called him Turtle Cat!
Among the many quirky cat behaviors out there, one that consistently bamboozles their owners most is the cardboard box phenomenon. Our furry companions are no strangers to these fragile square crates, and animal behaviorist Chamberlain explained they find them appealing for a few different reasons.
"Boxes are often irresistible to cats because they are made of warm and cozy cardboard and offer them a hiding place that helps them to feel secure," she told us. "As mentioned above, cats have an instinct to hide because they are also a prey species and as far as a cat is concerned, a box provides them with protection."
Another feature that makes felines naturally gravitate towards the cardboard palace is that they seek out places that will make a nice, safe and clean resting place. "You may find that when you purchase your cat a nice treat, such as a lovely new cat tree, they might prefer to spend time in the box it arrived in!"
#10
Unconventional, But Effective
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 3 years ago
THe domestic cat has evolved a unique hunting technique. They simply sit on your lap until you die of thirst and starvation and then consume your desiccated corpse.
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Bored Birgit 3 years ago
Now I think I need a skeleton in my life. And in my cat's life of course.
Bored Trash Panda 3 years ago
omg, I should do this with my skeleton and see if my cat does that!
Pandasizing World Peace 3 years ago
Hey, a lap is a lap. This one just happens to be invisible!
Ruth Harper 3 years ago
This would probably work for my cat. She's such a lap cat. She loves to jump up and settle herself on my lap.
Brian Droste 2 years ago
I used to own a cat. She was raised by a older female car. She wasn't used to being pick up. The only way I could pick up her up was to sit down Let her sit on my lap then I could get hold of her.
#11
They’re Huge Fans
#12
Yusuf Can't Believe We Ever Close This Thing
Tenacious Squirrel 3 years ago
Who downvoted Elizabeth’s awesome pun? Here have an upvote!
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But this behavior pattern leads to another feline oddity that begs for some quality decoding — it's when they try to hide in the little jungle we humans call home but end up being spotted in plain sight. For example, when cat owners put a belt, a towel, or basically anything that forms a circle or another shape on the floor, cats seem to gravitate toward it.
It turns out, the "If I Fits, I Sits" scenario isn’t limited to 3D boxes. "There have been scientific experiments carried out in relation to this phenomenon such as this one in which cats sat inside a shape that gave the illusion of being a square," Chamberlain told us.
In the study, the researchers focused on the so-called Kanizsa illusion — arranging four "Pac-Man" shapes to suggest the contours of a square. They asked volunteers to tape the shapes onto the floor and see if they’ll sit in them for more than 3 seconds within 5 minutes after entering the room. The results revealed that felines chose the illusory squares nearly as much as the real ones.
#13
Hercules Was Caught And Then Fell Asleep
Headless Roach 3 years ago
Leaving so many of those tiny bite marks on the box is clearly exhausting
Richard Campbell 3 years ago
It doesn’t seem like he should fit in there. Like where’s his lower half?
#14
The Elliptical Trap. At Least Someone Uses It!
Fxnglhl 3 years ago
imagine if it goes up and down like a seesaw, i'm sad that it's not possible
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Ruth Harper 3 years ago
If anyone asks, just tell them you can't use it because it is a kitty bed.
#15
This Unusual Trap Has Snagged A Victim
Upstaged75 3 years ago
A row of fuzz on each pair of pants. This is a genius way to make sure your hair gets on as many clothes as possible.
Chamberlain added, "I have also tried similar tests with some of the cats I know in which I place a piece of paper on the floor and nearly every time, they sit on the paper straight away!"
"Cats are naturally curious creatures and this could be done with wanting to find out what the shape on the floor feels like or their instinct to seek out warm places, as in the paper placed on the floor, which soon warms up once a cat has sat on it," she continued.
"They may also like to sit or lie down inside a shape because it gives them the feeling that they are within a barrier that gives them a sense of protection, even if it is simply some tape or a belt that has been placed on the floor."
#16
I Caught A Void
Laura Jackson 3 years ago
Black hole sun, won't you come, won't you come...
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Linda Phipps 3 years ago
I am having a black and white checkerboard tile installed in my kitchen soon: I wonder how Dexter will react.
#17
My 20 Pound Maine Coon Requires A Larger Trap. This One Works Every Time!
Jill Bussey 3 years ago
My cat, Blue, pushes my wash basket round the patio. I think he may be a little attention seeker.
KimB 3 years ago
I had a main c**n mix he was about 17lbs and he loved to lay in the laundry basket when the clothes were still warm. He'd swat at me if I tried to move him lol
3 years ago
People, I don't want you to be disappointed when you try this at home. Believe me, this only works with a laundry basket filled with cleanly washed and ironed clothes. For best effect, use clothes in a contrasting colour to the main c00n you like to trap.
Orion Red 3 years ago
We took in two strays that turned out to be Maine coons. I got 40 pounds of cat bossing me around now.
#18
Louie Usually Gets Trapped In The Sink
Epona 3 years ago
Louie looks very content, not trapped. Good for Louie! Hope you don't need to do dishes or if you do, that you have a dishwasher.
boredkitten 3 years ago
That is why there are 2 parts of the sink. One for the dishes and one for the cat, a must...
Acestarx (They/them) 3 years ago
Liquid: a state of matter that fits the shape of it's container. Yep that checks out
It’s easy to feel amused by the perplexities of cat logic and giggle away at their funny antics whenever a goofy picture graces our feeds. While we devour their weird shenanigans because they seem so different from us as species, this may create a false image of our furry friends.
According to Chamberlain, cats seem to do random things without giving them any thought, but it’s much more complex than that. "Cats have the innate desire to survive and anything that may offer a greater chance of this is likely to be explored by a cat," she explained. "Their survival instinct may lead them to be opportunistic and if they see something that might offer warmth, comfort or food, they will probably investigate it and if it smells and looks safe, they will try to use it to their advantage."
"The same can be said for high places that enable them to see their territory from a higher vantage point or low hiding places to keep out of the way of other pets or people in the house if they want to be left alone for a while and become 'invisible.'"
#19
Waiting Politely In Line For The Sink Trap
ButterflyCatcher56 3 years ago
Oh, I didn't see it either until I saw your comment! Thanks for the heads up!
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#20
I Just Love This Picture Of Her
#21
He Did Not Fit… And Yet He Sat
Shyla Bouche 3 years ago
Sometimes the fitting is all in the mind. This cat fits because he believes he fits.
Sue Denham 3 years ago
I think most of us know this feeling. Even though the smaller sized jeans are a little too tight we buy those ones because we want to think we're the smaller size.
If you want to better understand and decipher the quirky behaviors of your feline pal, Chamberlain advised seeing the above-mentioned explanations as a part of the enrichment offered to the cat. "That is, anything that will enrich their living environment and make them feel safe, secure and satisfied."
To make sure your critter feels happy and healthy, offer lots of high and low resting places, different sleeping areas and cardboard boxes to hide in. This "will give a cat plenty of choice as to how they spend their time and should increase their feelings of security and safety."
#22
Mеtаl Geаr Sоlid Trар
Lisa T 3 years ago
My cats get under boxes and crawl around “invisible to enemies” like Snake. One of my fave games, too
#23
Took Out A Drawer To Clean It Up, Cats Think It’s Their New Cat Bed. I Guess This Trap Is Working…
Epona 3 years ago
I get that cats like enclosed spaces, but they also like soft places and this is very much not soft. Cats are delightfully weird!
EP 3 years ago
Housecats love any new space as well. As soon as I open dresser drawers mine tries to jump in… it’s like the found a new room. (And being housebound this is the only new adventure. Open a closet and they are terribly excited to go inside and see what’s in there.)
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VioletWolf 2 years ago
I used to have a dresser that if it was left open the cats could climb into the drawers and then climb behind/under the drawers. This often led to them becoming stuck when the drawer was closed and several searches for the cats
#24
My Cat Trap May Be Too Effective
Nancy Lynch 3 years ago
There are large traps to catch groups of wild pigs. You have one that catches wild house kittens.
However, the animal behaviorist warned that hiding for long periods of time or being unsociable may be out of character for some cats. Then, "it may be worth a veterinary check-up because cats may also hide when they are feeling unwell or in pain. This also relates to them being a predator and prey animal."
"If they are feeling vulnerable in this way, hiding will make them feel safer. Any changes in behavior such as this could be a sign that something is medically wrong but sleeping in a warm, cozy box or hooded bed is usually a normal feline behavior, especially when it’s cold outside," Chamberlain concluded.
#25
My Jeans : Surprisingly Effective Cat Trap
Leoninus Fate 3 years ago
all my dogs did this, my second one was a tiny one that would bury into my jeans {im tall so my jeans were} and he would call down the legs and fall asleep, but the problem was, he was also fat and would get stuck with his head just slightly outside the leg, he would "talk" and make you have to find him to let him out, at least the others just cuddled inside {he passed away 6 months ago, RIP Sebby}
Berry Muhl 3 years ago
My heart stopped when I saw this photo. That cat looks almost identical to my Selkie, who died about 10 years ago. I even have a nightstand that resembles that one.
#26
How Often Should I Feed My Pet Fish?
Danish Susanne 3 years ago
This kind of petfish will not be satisfied with less than three meals a day
TwirlyGirly 3 years ago
I question whether a pet fish can swallow a cat, but give it a go and let us know how it went!
#27
My Kid Constructed Her First Cat Trap Today And Caught 2
Sharkbait1313 3 years ago
This reminds me of building blanket forts with my son. It is nearly impossible with our cats... not only because they are invaders but also because they tend to go full blown godzilla on the structure as soon as it's complete.
#28
Might Need A Bigger Terrarium For This Lizard
Penny Tent (she/her) 3 years ago
I don’t see anything but a void! Are you sure it’s not a chameleon? (I thought that usually lizards can’t be that black?)
Karen Klinck Klinck 3 years ago
One of mine got the nickname 'Fur-Lizard' from his habit of smacking people with his tail.
Mickie Shea 3 years ago
"Such beautiful round eyes you have". "All better to see you". the cat observed.
#29
These Boxes Were On The Ground For 5 Minutes
#30
Even If It’s Impossible, She Has To Try
#31
Peekaboo! I Caught You
#32
I Took One Piece Of My New Chair Out Of The Box And Immediately Discovered That I Wouldn't Be Taking Any More Out
Danish Susanne 3 years ago
I have heard of problems with assembling Ikea furniture, but never before have I heard of this one.
#33
Extra Effective Cat Trap
TwirlyGirly 3 years ago
Obviously the new sink is too small, so three of the cats are staging a sit-in, and the fourth, a sit-ON.
#34
$10 Meat Lovers Trap Is Working Well
Ruth Harper 3 years ago
Correction. It is no longer pizza, it is now a cat bed.
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#35
The Box Is Also An Arm Rest
#36
You’ve Got Mail
EeveeExpertShadow 3 years ago
Glove Name: Mailcat. Power: Infinite. Speed: 1. Abilities: Inconvenient Lap Sit, E-Mail Jab, Snail Mail. Pet to use.
#37
Do Self Made Mat Traps Count?
Cecilia 3 years ago
Same with our Lola!! The amount of times I've tripped over her...
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Aubrey Mortensen 3 years ago
Something about tuxedos and their love of burrowing. We have to build ours a pillow fort on a regular basis 😁
#38
Well.. We Wanted A Void Anyway (Just Joking, We Got Her Today. But She Loves The Bag)
Madam Puddyfoot 3 years ago
Let me guess: She's playing in the bag that contained her brand new toys, instead of the toys?
Shyla Bouche 3 years ago
She's a cat, isn't she? Of course she's playing in the bag. *offers the kitten's new humans a box of bandaids*
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#39
That’s One Weird Potato
#40
It Took 10 Seconds
#41
He Made Himself Comfortable And Sat Like That For 5 Minutes
#42
The Stocks
Amy T 3 years ago
Notice the servants had to buy a table with a ledge to keep him from knocking things off, yet there is still nothing.... Talented.
David Leick 3 years ago
Clearly it's not one of those pterodactyl cats. I heard they can just pick stuff up.
Load More Replies... #43
I Guess It’s His Clock Now
Sophie Dorothea Hill 3 years ago
Until it makes a noise, of course. Then it belongs to the shadow realm.
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#44
Yelling From The Cat Trap
Nancy Lynch 3 years ago
You want a lawyer? No, it wasn't entrapment. We caught you fair and square!
#45
(I Was Told This Belongs Here) Plastic Trap Working Its Best
#46
Red Trap Is More Effective Than The Blue One
LongCoolWomanInABlackDress 3 years ago
Get a second cat - although they'd probably just squeeze into the red box together
Ozymandias73 3 years ago
You have 2 choices. You can either take the blue basket or you can take the red basket.
Karen Klinck Klinck 3 years ago
The red compliments the fur better. (Vain little things, aren't they?)
Morris Goodenough 3 years ago
He took the red basket and stayed in Wonderland, and Morpheus will show him how deep the rabbit hole goes...
#47
This Is Cornstarch
Danish Susanne 3 years ago
It is always nice to have a place for things, so that you can easily find what you need
#48
Trapped Herself Exactly One Foot Away From A Cat Bed She’s Never Touched
Laura Jackson 3 years ago
My Maverick (2 years old), not named after Top Gun but attitude, hissed at his cat bed and never looked at it again. It's been almost 2 years since I rescued him and bought it for him. It's the kind they can crawl back into. Mav does throw my dachshund (Bruno, 15yrs old) out of his bed multiple times a day and he will stand at the cat bed and whine because he doesn't fit. They're so funny!!!
Load More Replies... DuchessDegu 3 years ago
I got a mega fluffy bed for my cat, she hates it and actually avoids to be anywhere near it, so I put the bed on my chair and it stops her jumping over my desk when I'm not using it!
#49
Working Again And Again
Adam Heath 3 years ago
Lol...a very special icecream for a very special boy
Load More Replies... #50
I Caught A Cat In My Dragon Trap!
QibliOfTheSandWings 3 years ago
Hell, I'd be breathing fire if i got caught in a dragon trap
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#51
This Bowl Is Full Of Void
#53
My Sisters Cat Frank Snoozing In A Basket (He Is Only Allowed Outside With Supervision)
#54
The Big Girl In Her Little Makeshift Home
Lisa H 3 years ago
Every cat is the cutest, most beautiful cat in the world.
Load More Replies... #55
He Found A Spot Where The AC Hits Perfectly
#56
My Cat Trap Caught A Jellybean!
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What do you think ?
CT 3 years ago
My cat is not a box cat. I left boxes in the house, he walks past and continues on his way. Disappointed human.
Okatango 3 years ago
One of my cats was terrified of boxes: He was found dumped a closed one. He missed out on so much joy. Some people are too horrible for words.
LapCat 3 years ago
Poor baby 😢 please give him extra snuggles and kisses from me ❤️
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Joshua Moore 3 years ago
Absolutely love posts like this. Could definitely spend a whole day looking at these!!!😁🥰
Lyra Myers 3 years ago
All these sane box cats, and then there's mine, who can't even decide if he's a cat or a dog or a chirping bird.
Acestarx (They/them) 3 years ago
I made a tem shop for my cat, she likes it but she thinks she's not allowed to be in it so every time she catches us looking at her she jumps out... I wish she would understand I made that for her😅
Danish Susanne 3 years ago
Maybe she does understand it, but doesn't want to let you know she does
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Lauren Caswell 3 years ago
I have one particular eco bag I use often. Naturally when I come home I must immediately empty it and lay it out for her majesty, as it's also her favourite "rug"
CT 3 years ago
My cat is not a box cat. I left boxes in the house, he walks past and continues on his way. Disappointed human.
Okatango 3 years ago
One of my cats was terrified of boxes: He was found dumped a closed one. He missed out on so much joy. Some people are too horrible for words.
LapCat 3 years ago
Poor baby 😢 please give him extra snuggles and kisses from me ❤️
Load More Replies... Joshua Moore 3 years ago
Absolutely love posts like this. Could definitely spend a whole day looking at these!!!😁🥰
Lyra Myers 3 years ago
All these sane box cats, and then there's mine, who can't even decide if he's a cat or a dog or a chirping bird.
Acestarx (They/them) 3 years ago
I made a tem shop for my cat, she likes it but she thinks she's not allowed to be in it so every time she catches us looking at her she jumps out... I wish she would understand I made that for her😅
Danish Susanne 3 years ago
Maybe she does understand it, but doesn't want to let you know she does
Load More Replies... Lauren Caswell 3 years ago
I have one particular eco bag I use often. Naturally when I come home I must immediately empty it and lay it out for her majesty, as it's also her favourite "rug"
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