For Cats, Moving Into a New Box Can Be Stressful

A few weeks ago, I wrote about Elsa Clair’s fun playing Cat-in-the-box, and jumping out to surprise Calvin and Tucker. The box she was inhabiting was one that was destined to be sent back to Zappos, as it contained a few pair of boots that didn’t work out. (I kept two pair that are fabulous!)

Because my boot-buying experience was so successful, I decided to see if I could find another pair; this time I was looking for something shorter–more ankle height–and warm. So I ordered more boots.

Zappos delivered, as always. One of the pair I ordered was perfect, but I still had to send another pair back.

Now I had two Zappos boxes, and needed to return the shoes that didn’t fit. I printed out the label, put all the returns in one box, and taped it up, hoping to ask cajole my husband into bringing it to the local UPS store.

Just as I finished taping the label to the box, Elsa Clair came strolling around the corner.

Her box had moved. And it was. Closed.

The way is shut.

You shall not pass.

She was quite perturbed.

Elsa Clair is unhappy that her box is shut.

After a brief inspection whereupon she confirmed that he box was indeed impenetrable, she noticed the second box. Perhaps it would serve as a replacement.

The photos below tell the rest of the story:

Elsa Clair inspects a possible replacement box.

Elsa Clair decides Zappos box is inferior

Elsa Clair is not happy in her box

Elsa Clair liked the other box better.

Elsa Clair thinks this box is boring

Elsa Clair is displeased with her new box.

Angry cat in box

Elsa Clair rubs corner of box

Elsa Clair loves her new Zappos box

Elsa Clair forgives me for changing boxes

I haven’t the heart to tell her Tuesday is recycling day.

How long do you keep boxes out for your cats? (And lest you think I’m a meanie pants, there is another box–with crinkle paper in it!–that is also a favorite and that one has been set aside for cat occupation.)

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27 Comments on "For Cats, Moving Into a New Box Can Be Stressful"

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  1. Elsa Clare I totally agree it is so hard to break in a new box. And if we really like one, no way would my humans recycle until we are done with it…just sayin’ *wink wink*

  2. at least you got one box Elsa and your happy face would let my momma keep the other boots too, just to give you a second box (she is crazy, huh?)

  3. The captions made my day LOL

  4. Ellen Pilch says:

    I am glad you survived the box change.

  5. FleaByte says:

    Too cute! She’s so Cat.

  6. Gattina says:

    My cats are less difficult for them a box is a box and they love them all !

  7. Emma says:

    Mom always tosses the boxes on the floor and leaves them for a day or two, until she notices the cats don’t play in them anymore. She does the same with paper bags.

  8. Elsa Clair, I feel your pain. Just when I get a box broken in so it’s purrfect, Mother puts in in the recycling box. It’s just unfair.
    Love, Lexy

  9. Sammy says:

    When I was younger I was a MAJOR FAN of boxes….these days I prefurrrr my fleece blanket over my heating pad!!

    Hugs, Sammy

  10. Beth says:

    What a great set of photos! I usually have one box out somewhere for Soth. Occasionally, we’ll have two or three out if we’ve gotten some mail and I’ll leave them all out for a couple days while he chooses his favorites. Then the others go away 🙂

  11. You certainly made me grin when looking at the pictures & captions! I may just have to nominate you 😉

  12. No cats here but did you see that cardboard fort that a guy in Japan made for his cat? Amazing.

  13. We hafta agree that the Zappo boxes are pretty awesome.

  14. Never heard of Zappo but in his younger years, our Nin would have loved those boxes.

  15. Cathy Armato says:

    LOL! The expressions on Elsa’s face are priceless. You’ll have to take a few more once recycle day comes… although that might be a bit TOO scary!

  16. Any cat knows one has to check ones box out thoroughly first…

  17. meowmeowmans says:

    Elsa is SO expressive. What a fun series of shots … and the thought bubbles made us smile!

  18. sandy says:

    Recycling day? Oh no. I think I heard Elsa Clair say that you need more boots.

  19. That is adorable! I have a feeling that if I had a cat I would leave the boxes out indefinitely!

  20. Brian Frum says:

    That purrfect box just needs to stay put!!!

  21. suzanprincess says:

    We have several taped-shut semi-permanent boxes here, called PetMe Boxes. (The Zappos box is indeed the best one.) When I want to be petted I just jump on a box when Mom is in sight, and she obediently comes over and pets me. Every time. She is a well-trained cat servant, thanks to me.
    Katja CutiePie TwinkleToe TinyTigress

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