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Anyone who has spent time with cats knows that our feline pals are weird. Ask any parent to one of these goofballs and they’ll tell you all about the times they appeared out of nowhere, yowled in the middle of the night, or pounced around the house like there was no tomorrow. As much as we love their little quirks, we often need help decoding our companions.

Out of all of the bizarre cat behavior out there, there’s one that never ceases to amaze us — their mysterious urge to climb and hide in the most unusual places. From cardboard boxes and laundry baskets to kitchen sinks and pots, they seem committed to setting paws on every surface they can find.

There’s a whole online community dedicated to sharing pictures of our beloved furballs finding peculiar spots to crawl into. The aptly titled subreddit 'The Cat Trap Is Working' is a place for all feline lovers to receive their purrfect source of entertainment. Continue scrolling for a selection of posts that vividly illustrate how quirky cats can be and upvote the ones you enjoyed most!

#2

Took A Bathroom Break After 5 Hours Of Building This Puzzle And Came Back To This

Took A Bathroom Break After 5 Hours Of Building This Puzzle And Came Back To This

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#3

Captured The Entire Gang

Captured The Entire Gang

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'The Cat Trap Is Working' subreddit has been an excellent outlet for feline lovers to share jokes and pictures of their furry friends ever since it was created in 2015. Over 164K members have a place to show off their trap-setting skills and prove that even these clever and smart critters can fall for bait. This online community highlights one particular aspect of weird feline behavior, cats crawling into or curling up in odd places. Although the moderators wrote "cats in boxes" in the community description, you’ll notice in this compilation that felines find shelter in as many small spaces as they can find.

We contacted the group's moderators and one of them, the creator of the page, was kind enough to have a little chat with us. She revealed that 'The Cat Trap Is Working' is one of the very first Reddit communities she started.

"It was made more or less because every once in a while I was seeing posts in /r/Aww that followed this theme, but I wasn't aware of any community that was just specifically for this type of cat behavior. I created it so there could be a spot for folks to post their cat to," the moderator told Bored Panda.

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#4

Hmm

Hmm

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sergyyeltsen avatar
Sergy Yeltsen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That you do this to make her/him happy shows what a wonderful owner you are.

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#5

A Less Conventional Way To Catch Felines

A Less Conventional Way To Catch Felines

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Fortunately, the members of this online group are very active. "I have created right around 200 cat-related subreddits and this one remains one of the top ones for subscribed users to post ratio," she said.

However, it turns out that describing what a cat trap actually is a bit complicated. "When the community was first created, I really didn't know what to set as a hard rule as what defines a cat trap because cats simply gravitate to things that are roughly their size."

"My initial intention was to just allow cats in boxes, but it is just so much more complex than that," the mod continued. "I have a bath towel on my bed for my cat Squishy and she is like a magnet to that when it is time for bed." She added that the one thing she learned from looking after this subreddit is that "if you put a belt on the floor or put tape on the floor, they will even gravitate to that."

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#9

Not Only Has The Catrap Worked, But Gary Has Basically Moved In At This Point

Not Only Has The Catrap Worked, But Gary Has Basically Moved In At This Point

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When asked why our beloved furballs keep falling for these entertaining traps, the moderator revealed she has pondered this for years. "The one comment I see most often on Reddit is that they get comfort and security from tight spaces," she said and added that this behavior is amusing and never gets old.

The creator of this subreddit also had a few pieces of advice to share with you, dear readers. "If you want your kitty to sleep in a specific spot on your bed, use a folded towel. My cat used to sleep at my feet which I was not comfortable with since I could kick her in my sleep. Putting the towel near my pillow solved this issue, plus she is now within reach of pets and scratches. Win-win for both of us," she told us.

#10

He Realized The Box He Entered Is No Longer Stationary

He Realized The Box He Entered Is No Longer Stationary

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#11

Imaginary Cat Trap

Imaginary Cat Trap

"Nobody has had a more productive day than my mother"

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This seemingly strange cat behavior can leave many pet parents quite baffled. Even though we know their quirks are based on their instincts, people can have difficulties figuring out what their pets are trying to tell them. After all, cats are famous for having some of the most perplexing behaviors in the world that make pet parents ask one question over and over again: "Why is my cat so weird?"

Dr. Marci L. Koski, a certified feline behavior and training consultant, explained that there are several reasons for this overwhelming urge to hide. Essentially, it demonstrates how they evolved as both wild predators and prey. They are naturally stealthy because they need to get fairly close to their victim and also glide through their environment unnoticed.

"They are instinctually driven to hide and conceal themselves when they are sneaking up on a prospective prey item, and avoiding being prey for other predators (i.e., any carnivore that is larger than they are)," she wrote.

#13

My Niece Is Fostering Kittens, And Her Daughter Left A Toy On The Floor

My Niece Is Fostering Kittens, And Her Daughter Left A Toy On The Floor

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#14

Not My Cat But A Very Successfully Executed Trap

Not My Cat But A Very Successfully Executed Trap

"Bean likes to be carried around in empty soda cases"

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Hiding in their little jungle we humans call home also offers a place of refuge from the noisy family, annoying dogs, and other stress-inducing factors. Hiding under beds, in the back of closets, and in laundry baskets provides a safe spot and gives them comfort.

Moreover, they may try to tell their owners that they could be ill or not feeling well. "If your cat all of a sudden decides to start hiding for long periods of time or changes her hiding behavior, you will want to make a trip to the veterinarian to make sure everything is okay," Koski said and added it pays to be observant and notice when and where your furball is most likely to hide. That way, you can determine how she’s feeling and whether or not it is something to be concerned about.

#17

Refused To Use His New Bed Until Now - Check Mate Buddy

Refused To Use His New Bed Until Now - Check Mate Buddy

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#18

Got A Weird Looking Cat In The Trap

Got A Weird Looking Cat In The Trap

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When it comes to hideout places, few things catch our cats’ attention in the same way as the plain old cardboard box. It may not look so appealing to us, but kitties keep climbing into these lairs every chance they get. Other than the fact that they provide them with a sense of security and help reduce anxiety, they also find them physically comforting. "Boxes can greatly reduce a cat’s stress and help cats regulate their body temperatures," Daniel Rotman, CEO of kitty litter company PrettyLitter told Reader’s Digest. The optimal ambient temperature for cats is upwards of 85 degrees Fahrenheit, so small and enclosed spaces can provide insulation that helps them retain body heat.

#19

The Unexpected Guest Fit So Perfectly In This Cattrap Including The Tail

The Unexpected Guest Fit So Perfectly In This Cattrap Including The Tail

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#20

He Dragged The Box All The Way Over To Me To Show Me It Worked!!

He Dragged The Box All The Way Over To Me To Show Me It Worked!!

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#21

Just An Old Lady With Her “Blankie”. Her Favorite Possession

Just An Old Lady With Her “Blankie”. Her Favorite Possession

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Even when we begin to grasp the intentions of our beloved cats’ movements, their quirky behaviors do not lose their charm. However, it turns out that by describing their activities as amusing, we might be missing out on what’s lying beneath the surface. Dr. Jo Lewis, an award-winning British feline expert vet and author of What’s My Cat Thinking? told Bored Panda in a previous interview that cats "are usually trying to tell us something far more significant than 'hey, I’m so cute!'"

#22

I Put This Down To Sweep The Floor And Accidentally Made A Cat Trap

I Put This Down To Sweep The Floor And Accidentally Made A Cat Trap

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#23

I Have Never Met A Cat Who Loves Cat Traps As Much As Gary

I Have Never Met A Cat Who Loves Cat Traps As Much As Gary

Ksilverstar25 Report

"We have to be careful we don’t misinterpret what are actually important clues about their health and wellbeing," she continued. "More often than not, behaviors that we label as 'cute' … are a clue to how they’re feeling in that moment. They might be hungry, but they may also have learned to enjoy the attention or food that you lavish on them when they do that particular 'cute' thing and simply want more of the same. But they might equally be signaling that you could be doing a lot more to better meet their needs."

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We may label the cheeky or naughty cat behaviors as cute when in reality they’re driven by a cat’s basic survival instincts, an illness, or side effects from medication, Dr. Lewis added. For example, when your beloved feline surfs your kitchen countertops for scraps, "she might have an artificially increased appetite from illnesses like an overactive thyroid, diabetes, or medications like steroids."

Sometimes, their behavior is not even about the food at all: "They might simply need some attention, the chance to interact with you more and this is the first opportunity that day when you’ve been home and sat in one spot." So if you assume they’re just acting cute, "you could be missing out on diagnosing and treating an illness, or be overlooking an opportunity to understand them better."

#28

Unintentional Tiny Trap

Unintentional Tiny Trap

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#30

My Rug Has A Built In Cat Trap That He Naps On Every Single Day

My Rug Has A Built In Cat Trap That He Naps On Every Single Day

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#31

Threw My Belt On The Floor. Trap Working As Intended

Threw My Belt On The Floor. Trap Working As Intended

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#32

Trying To Get Out Of Helping With The Groceries!

Trying To Get Out Of Helping With The Groceries!

Prince-of-Bengals Report

#33

All It Takes To Keep Him From Gate-Crashing My 6th Grade Class Is A Strategically Placed Potholder

All It Takes To Keep Him From Gate-Crashing My 6th Grade Class Is A Strategically Placed Potholder

Potential_Shake9250 Report

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16asf270406 avatar
Yawa
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My cat gave up and sat on my keyboard I had my camera on, Good thing my whole class likes cats so we teased him by dangling things in front of are cameras, No more Latin.

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#34

My So Laid Out Her Crochet Project On The Floor To Measure It. Not Even 30 Seconds Later...

My So Laid Out Her Crochet Project On The Floor To Measure It. Not Even 30 Seconds Later...

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#37

Caught Me One!

Caught Me One!

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Jiska Veldhuizen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My cat does this too. Whenever there is the tiniest spot of sun she is going to lay in it

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#38

I Caught A Double. How Rare

I Caught A Double. How Rare

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#39

The Vet Has Informed Me That This Is A Nearly-Universal Occurrence

The Vet Has Informed Me That This Is A Nearly-Universal Occurrence

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#43

This Portable Trap With A Convenient Handle Works Very Well

This Portable Trap With A Convenient Handle Works Very Well

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#44

Trapped My Cat By Putting 2 Pieces Of Paper On The Floor And Waited

Trapped My Cat By Putting 2 Pieces Of Paper On The Floor And Waited

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#45

Caught This Foster Potato This Morning

Caught This Foster Potato This Morning

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#46

Two Cats. Two Traps. Later Two Naps

Two Cats. Two Traps. Later Two Naps

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#47

The Plant Is No Longer With Us…but We Kept The Tank Because He Loves It

The Plant Is No Longer With Us…but We Kept The Tank Because He Loves It

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Lisa Hoffmeyer
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mine did it so often with planters they killed the plants. Now only outside plants in this home.

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#48

Cleaned The Aquarium And 5 Minutes Later...

Cleaned The Aquarium And 5 Minutes Later...

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#49

Does This Count? She Always Sits In This Circle Of Cables

Does This Count? She Always Sits In This Circle Of Cables

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#50

I Received The Happiest Scream When I Walked Into The Room And Found Her In This Trap

I Received The Happiest Scream When I Walked Into The Room And Found Her In This Trap

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kathrynbaylis_1 avatar
Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The cat screamed, “Thank you sooooo much for my cool new bed!”

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Note: this post originally had 61 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.