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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.

#1

I Waited Two Days For This Picture

I Waited Two Days For This Picture

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#2

I Know It Isn't A Box But My Cat Loves To Sit On Kitchen Cloths!!

I Know It Isn't A Box But My Cat Loves To Sit On Kitchen Cloths!!

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If
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's better than a forbidden spot on a forbidden spot

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

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!). 😹

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Jen M
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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!

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

Square, rectangular, they will sit on it. Mine sat on an envelope once and I spent hours looking for it

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rahb1
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I thought that was what kitchen cloths were primarliy designed for?

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catslave6
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the expression on this cat's face! ;>) Conscious contentment, happy cat.

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

I think the 'I'm sitting on a piece of paper so I'm higher than the floor' is hilarious.

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

My cat will go out of his way to sit on the TV remote so at least this cat's a**e is comfortable!

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

Cats like to sit higher than the rest of the area. Empty room? Place a sheet of paper on the floor. Leave. Come back later and a cat will be on the paper. Add a brochure to floor - away from the paper- cat will be attracted to that. This is not as reliable as a box, but it's fun to test.

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

And papers and laptops and clothes...pretty much anywhere but the darn cat bed.

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

My cat does the same. I yell KITTY BUTT and toss that puppy in the wash.

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

The Holidays are coming up which means it will take 3x as long to wrap gifts since I live with cats

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lauralett50
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My cat will lay on the thing on the table , so technically, not on the table.

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#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!

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!

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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

For Some Reason This Particular Bag Of Groceries Was Heavier Than The Rest

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Shyla Bouche
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What aisle were the cats on? I have lots of trouble finding them at my grocery store.

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#5

Owner Sacrifices Own Life To Not Disturb The Kitty

Owner Sacrifices Own Life To Not Disturb The Kitty

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"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.

#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

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

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#9

He Forgot His Poptart Outside The Trap!

He Forgot His Poptart Outside The Trap!

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Epona
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate it when I forget my Poptart outside the trap!! 😲😱/s

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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.

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"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

Unconventional, But Effective

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#12

Yusuf Can't Believe We Ever Close This Thing

Yusuf Can't Believe We Ever Close This Thing

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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.

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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

Hercules Was Caught And Then Fell Asleep

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Headless Roach
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Leaving so many of those tiny bite marks on the box is clearly exhausting

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#14

The Elliptical Trap. At Least Someone Uses It!

The Elliptical Trap. At Least Someone Uses It!

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#15

This Unusual Trap Has Snagged A Victim

This Unusual Trap Has Snagged A Victim

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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.

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"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

I Caught A Void

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#17

My 20 Pound Maine Coon Requires A Larger Trap. This One Works Every Time!

My 20 Pound Maine Coon Requires A Larger Trap. This One Works Every Time!

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

My cat, Blue, pushes my wash basket round the patio. I think he may be a little attention seeker.

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#18

Louie Usually Gets Trapped In The Sink

Louie Usually Gets Trapped In The Sink

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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."

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"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

Waiting Politely In Line For The Sink Trap

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

I almost didn't even see the one waiting on the toilet seat. Adorable!

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#21

He Did Not Fit… And Yet He Sat

He Did Not Fit… And Yet He Sat

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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."

#23

Took Out A Drawer To Clean It Up, Cats Think It’s Their New Cat Bed. I Guess This Trap Is Working…

Took Out A Drawer To Clean It Up, Cats Think It’s Their New Cat Bed. I Guess This Trap Is Working…

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

I get that cats like enclosed spaces, but they also like soft places and this is very much not soft. Cats are delightfully weird!

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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

My Jeans : Surprisingly Effective Cat Trap

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#26

How Often Should I Feed My Pet Fish?

How Often Should I Feed My Pet Fish?

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#27

My Kid Constructed Her First Cat Trap Today And Caught 2

My Kid Constructed Her First Cat Trap Today And Caught 2

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#29

These Boxes Were On The Ground For 5 Minutes

These Boxes Were On The Ground For 5 Minutes

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#30

Even If It’s Impossible, She Has To Try

Even If It’s Impossible, She Has To Try

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#31

Peekaboo! I Caught You

Peekaboo! I Caught You

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#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

I Took One Piece Of My New Chair Out Of The Box And Immediately Discovered That I Wouldn't Be Taking Any More Out

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#35

The Box Is Also An Arm Rest

The Box Is Also An Arm Rest

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#38

Well.. We Wanted A Void Anyway (Just Joking, We Got Her Today. But She Loves The Bag)

Well.. We Wanted A Void Anyway (Just Joking, We Got Her Today. But She Loves The Bag)

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

Let me guess: She's playing in the bag that contained her brand new toys, instead of the toys?

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#40

It Took 10 Seconds

It Took 10 Seconds

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#41

He Made Himself Comfortable And Sat Like That For 5 Minutes

He Made Himself Comfortable And Sat Like That For 5 Minutes

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#42

The Stocks

The Stocks

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Amy T
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Notice the servants had to buy a table with a ledge to keep him from knocking things off, yet there is still nothing.... Talented.

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#43

I Guess It’s His Clock Now

I Guess It’s His Clock Now

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#44

Yelling From The Cat Trap

Yelling From The Cat Trap

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#45

(I Was Told This Belongs Here) Plastic Trap Working Its Best

(I Was Told This Belongs Here) Plastic Trap Working Its Best

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#46

Red Trap Is More Effective Than The Blue One

Red Trap Is More Effective Than The Blue One

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

Perhaps if you get a Russian Blue for the other basket…

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#48

Trapped Herself Exactly One Foot Away From A Cat Bed She’s Never Touched

Trapped Herself Exactly One Foot Away From A Cat Bed She’s Never Touched

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#50

I Caught A Cat In My Dragon Trap!

I Caught A Cat In My Dragon Trap!

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Note: this post originally had 56 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.