How hiding boxes help shelter cats
A study evaluated the effect of hiding boxes on the stress level of shelter cats. Twenty-three cats between 1 and 10 years of age entering a shelter were randomly divided between the group with a hiding box and the control group without the hiding box. Stress levels were assessed on days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 12 according to the non-invasive Cat-Stress-Score (CSS). Body weights, adoption rates, and length of stay at shelter were also determined.
The study found that the mean Cat-Stress-Score decreased for all cats, but cats with a hiding box showed a faster decrease, reaching a lower steady state seven days earlier than the control group. Nearly all cats in both groups lost significant body weight during the first two weeks. There were no differences were found in the adoption rates and the length of stay between both groups.
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