Why Indoor Cats Have Stronger Hunting Instincts

The posture your cat takes that seems like "resting" might actually be deeply connected to a certain need they have while living indoors.

A study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science in 2021 reported interesting results. Researchers compared the reactions of 31 cats (some living exclusively indoors, others with outdoor access) to prey-like toys and sounds such as bird calls, crinkling paper, and small animal noises. The results showed that indoor-only cats began searching for prey-like sounds more quickly and investigated them for longer. This was contrary to expectations, as outdoor cats are presumably more "experienced hunters." The researchers hypothesized that the lack of opportunity to encounter real prey might actually heighten indoor cats' sensitivity to potential signs of prey.

Another review paper (Delgado & Hecht, 2019) indicates that a cat's play inherently incorporates the full predatory sequence: searching for prey, stalking, ambushing, pouncing, and catching. Of these, toy play most often satisfies the "pouncing" and "catching" aspects. However, the quieter, initial stages of "ambushing" and "observing prey while hidden" are often difficult to fulfill in a domestic environment.

Cat Cellar was originally planned as furniture that doubles as a scratching post and an interior piece, but it seems to be often used as a "hiding place for ambushing." The multiple holes along the S-shaped wavy structure don't allow a full view from the outside, and the field of vision becomes narrower when inside. This seems to align perfectly with a cat's instinctive posture of observing prey from a den. The path through the holes to the other side isn't just a simple passage; it appears to be a small adventure combining movement and exploration.

Furthermore, since it's constructed from thin cardboard panels, the presence of another cat in a different hole can be subtly felt. In multi-cat households, it's common to see one cat sneaking up to peek at another who is hidden in a hole, often escalating into a chase. This can also be considered a form of communication, a variation of their natural hunting behavior.

Indoor cats, living safely with plenty of food and comfortable temperatures, often lack the opportunity for "time spent hiding and observing the world," which is natural in the wild. The research finding that "indoor cats are more sensitive to prey" can be reinterpreted to mean that indoor cats, in particular, need a place to fulfill their predatory instincts. This is a quiet, inward need that dynamic toy play alone cannot satisfy. We would be delighted if Cat Cellar could serve as furniture that fulfills a part of this need.

In addition to its function as a scratching post, it can be used in various ways in daily life: as a place to rest, a hiding spot, and a small hunting ground. We hope you will choose it as an item that subtly satisfies your cat's instincts while maintaining its aesthetic as an interior piece.

If you have any questions about how to use it, please feel free to send us a message via our official LINE. Our customer service staff will be happy to assist you.

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※References: Strickler, B. L. & Shull, E. A. (2021). Inexperienced but still interested – Indoor-only cats are more inclined for predatory play than cats with outdoor access. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 241, 105383. / Delgado, M. & Hecht, J. (2019). A review of the development and functions of cat play, with future research considerations. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 214, 1–17.