Pets and their love of paper and cardboard

Cats and cardboard boxes - a special relationship
Almost every cat owner knows it: as soon as there is an empty cardboard box in the home, the cat conquers it as a new retreat. Even if the box actually seems far too small, the velvet paws squeeze in and feel safe there. The narrow cardboard walls give them a sense of security and remind them of their childhood, when they were snuggled up close to their mother and siblings. Cardboard boxes are also nice and warm, as they retain the cat's body heat well.

Cats like to unroll toilet paper
Unrolling the paper roll is reminiscent of the prey pattern of cats. Hunting instincts are satisfied by “catching” the roll. Some cats also like the rustling sound of the paper. Toilet paper has a nice grip and is easy to hold and tear with the claws. When masters and mistresses roll up the paper again, some cats learn that this is how they get attention. This motivates them to do it again.

Dogs love boxes with surprises
Dogs share a preference for cardboard boxes with cats. A cardboard box filled with treats, chewy sticks or pig's ears keeps the four-legged friends occupied for quite a while. They have to sniff and search to get to the reward. This is not only fun, but also reduces stress. Dogs in particular, who tend to destroy blankets or baskets, will refrain from doing so if they are given a cardboard box to let off steam every day.

Birds like to play with cardboard rolls and scraps of paper
Birds can also be kept busy with paper and cardboard. A cardboard roll filled with scraps of paper and treats encourages them to explore and play.

Other animals that like paper and cardboard
Rabbits and tortoises also enjoy cardboard boxes, cardboard rolls and paper. Rabbits explore the materials curiously, nibble on them or hide in them. Some tortoises like to tear up newspaper with their claws and then hide in the scraps of paper for a nap. Even horses can be kept busy with paper. Large, sturdy cardboard boxes filled with hay or straw are suitable for this. The horses then have to pick out the treats from among the filling material.

What you should look out for in paper and cardboard for animals
Make sure that the boxes do not contain any adhesive tape, staples or plastic labels. These could injure the animals or be swallowed by them. If possible, choose food-grade paper and cardboard without coatings and colors. Also bear in mind that paper and cardboard soaked with saliva can tear and form sharp edges. Therefore, supervise the animals when playing and remove damaged cardboard in good time.

Conclusion: Playing with paper and cardboard - a useful activity for pets
Paper and cardboard are popular with many pets and are a useful activity. Cats feel safe and secure in cardboard boxes, while dogs enjoy digging out treats from between pieces of paper. Birds, rabbits, tortoises and horses are also interested in the products of the paper industry. For the animals, however, you should definitely choose safe material without glue, staples and plastic and supervise them as they explore. Then nothing stands in the way of fun with paper and cardboard.