What is it about?
Hiding boxes are a useful intervention for cats, thought to contribute to reduced fear and stress levels. This knowledge summary paper set out to determine if this was true according to recently published studies, critiquing the studies and determining strength of evidence. Ultimately, a robust clinical bottom line was made for practitioners.
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Why is it important?
This Knowledge Summary intends to help clarify the efficacy and use of hiding boxes in veterinary practice. There is moderate evidence suggesting that the use of hiding boxes in hospitalised cats is associated with reduced stress. The strength of the evidence is considered moderate due to varying limitations (e.g., small sample sizes) in the reviewed studies. Despite these limitations, incorporating a plastic or single-use disposable cardboard hiding box into existing feline-friendly cage environments is recommended.
Perspectives
Researching this topic and delving deeper into the world of published research has been a joy for me and the next step in my career in veterinary nursing. I want to show veterinary nurses that we can be researchers too and contribute to the growing body of evidence! Knowing my article has a wide reach and many practices, cats, and animals will be impacted positively as a result really fuels my soul. My hope is many more cats will experience more positive veterinary clinic stays where they can hide in a box when they feel scared/stressed. I also I did this project to challenge myself and prove to myself I could do it. Publishing my first paper is a major milestone and dream achieved to me. I must thank my mentor Jen, my family and my reason for everything - my beautiful heavenly furbaby, my bestest friend furever G <3
Leah Foster
Eastern Institute of Technology
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Thinking inside the box: do hiding boxes reduce the fear and stress of hospitalised cats?, Veterinary Evidence, December 2025, RCVS Knowledge,
DOI: 10.18849/ve.v10i4.727.
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