Cats Like Enclosed Spaces
One of the main reasons cats like to lay in drawers is that enclosed spaces provide feelings of safety and security. According to research, cats are naturally drawn to small, confined areas because it satisfies their instinct to seek out dens where they can retreat and hide from potential predators (https://meowbox.com/blog/2014/9/why-cats-love-small-spaces). When a cat is in an enclosed space like a drawer, they are surrounded on three sides, which mimics the comfort and protection of a den. This allows them to feel more relaxed and at ease.
Additionally, the confined area gives cats a sense of privacy and the ability to retreat for some “me time.” Unlike dogs that are pack animals, cats are more solitary creatures. Drawers give them a personal cubby space away from other pets or household activities. Cats enjoy having an enclosed spot that is their own territory to curl up in and unwind (https://www.purina.co.uk/articles/cats/behaviour/common-questions/why-do-cats-like-boxes).
Overall, laying in drawers satisfies a cat’s natural instinct to seek out small, den-like spaces to feel safe and secure. The confined area appeals to their solitary nature and desire for personal space and privacy.
Drawers Are Warm
Cats like sleeping in drawers because the drawers contain residual body heat and are often warmer than other surfaces in the home. As obligate carnivores, cats developed to conserve as much energy as possible in order to survive (1). Seeking out warm places allows cats to regulate their body temperature and expend less energy staying warm. The enclosed space of a drawer retains heat from previous use, providing a cozy warm spot for cats to curl up in.
Compared to countertops, floors, and other areas of the home, drawers tend to be warmer thanks to absorbing heat from human hands opening and closing them. The residual warmth appeals to cats’ preferences for comfort. According to veterinarian Dr. Debbye Turner, “cats love warm places and often sleep 16 to 20 hours a day” (2). A nice heated drawer is an ideal napping location for cats looking to stay toasty.
(1) https://www.ourcatsworld.com/2016/02/cats-like-warm-things-and-heres-why/
(2) https://www.quora.com/Why-do-cats-like-sleeping-on-warm-things
Hiding Spot
Cats are ambush predators that like to stay out of sight when hunting. Having cover provides cats with a tactical advantage. Part of their predatory nature means cats prefer having places to hide and observe their surroundings unseen, allowing them to sneak up on prey more easily. Drawers give cats an enclosed space that replicates the confined hiding spots they would seek out in the wild.
Citing from https://meowbox.com/blog/2014/9/why-cats-love-small-spaces, cats are “hardwired to seek out confined spaces in order observe their surroundings while staying hidden.” By hiding in enclosed areas like drawers, cats can scope out the room around them while remaining concealed.
Comforting Scents
One reason cats like sitting in drawers is because the drawers contain clothing and fabrics that have the scents of family members. Cats have a powerful sense of smell and rely heavily on scents to gather information about their environment and the other beings in it.[1] Familiar scents like those of their human family members provide cats with comfort and security. When surrounded by the smells of their trusted humans, cats likely feel safe and reassured.
Research shows that cats do not recognize each other or humans visually so much as through scent and sound.[2] That is why unfamiliar smells can be unsettling or alarming to cats. On the other hand, the scent of their human family, which permeates the fabrics in clothing drawers, is soothing and familiar. Cats who sit in drawers are essentially enveloping themselves in the smells of home and family.
Additionally, cats mark objects with their own scent glands as a way to familiarize their environment. When a cat sits in a drawer full of scented clothing and fabrics, they are mingling their own scent with scents they find comforting. This further solidifies the drawer as a safe space smelling of things the cat knows and trusts.
So for scent-driven creatures like cats who rely so heavily on smells for information and security, surrounding themselves in familiar comforting scents by lounging in a drawer full of family-scented clothing makes perfect sense.
Darkness
Cats prefer darkness when sleeping because their eyes are adapted for superior night vision [1]. Cats can see in light levels six times lower than what humans require to see, allowing them to function well in dark environments [2]. Bright light is uncomfortable and painful for a cat’s sensitive eyes. Dark spaces also provide cats with a greater sense of security and safety. The darkness allows cats to hide from potential predators and avoid overstimulation [3].
Texture
Cats enjoy kneading and nuzzling fabrics in drawers because of the soft textures, which many cats find extremely soothing. A cat’s sense of touch is very acute, and the soft, pliable textures of fabrics like blankets, socks, and clothing provide pleasurable tactile stimulation for cats. Kneading and scratching these materials also lets cats extend their claws and work the material with their paws, which can satisfy natural instincts. The textures found inside drawers are likely much softer and more inviting than other surfaces in a home. As comfort-seeking creatures, cats will gravitate towards the most ultra-soft and cushy textures available. The blankets, clothes, and other fabrics tucked away in drawers give cats an irresistible place to sink their paws into and knead to their heart’s content.
Fit Their Size
Cats are drawn to small spaces that they can fit their whole body into while curled up. Drawers often provide just enough room for a cat to curl themselves into a ball or stretched out comfortably. The confined space makes cats feel safe and secure, allowing them to relax fully. According to [1], the ideal cat bed or enclosed space should allow room for them to lay on their side with legs extended. Drawers tend to meet this specification, with just enough space for cats to fit snugly with some wiggle room. The tight quarters allow cats to be in close contact with the walls and floor of the drawer all around them, which they find comforting. The confined space is similar to a cat cave bed or enclosed cat carrier, giving them a sense of being protected while they rest.
Get Owner’s Attention
One reason cats jump into open drawers is that it gets a reaction from their owners. Cats enjoy mental stimulation and interaction, so jumping into a drawer they know they’re not supposed to be in is a great way to get attention. As soon as the owner sees the cat in the drawer, they’ll likely walk over to take the cat out. This provides the cat with that desired reaction and interaction from their owner.
Cats that repeatedly jump into drawers are often bored and looking for more playtime and engagement. The drawer is essentially a toy to the cat. So it’s important for owners to provide their cats with sufficient daily play sessions, puzzle toys, and activities to keep their minds engaged. With enough mental enrichment, cats will be less inclined to act out in ways like jumping into drawers simply for attention. But an occasional drawer jump may still happen if the cat sees their owner nearby and wants to initiate a fun interaction.
High Up
Cats have an instinctual desire to perch in high places where they can survey their territory. As predators, being up high allows cats to spot potential prey and threats more easily 1. Upper drawers provide height and elevation that satisfy this innate need. When cats sit atop open drawers, they gain an aerial view of the room that makes them feel more secure and in control of their environment.
Curiosity
Cats are naturally curious creatures. Their inquisitive nature drives them to explore new spaces, smells, and textures. Cats use their senses to learn more about their environment and satisfy their curiosity. As cats encounter new places, they investigate using sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch to gather information. According to Rover, “Cats are smart. So, they are curious, and because they are curious, they are always learning” (https://www.rover.com/blog/why-are-cats-so-curious/). One reason cats lay in drawers and squeeze into tight spaces is to satisfy their curiosity about new environments. The unknown corners and smells of a drawer entice a cat to explore and learn. By crawling into drawers, cats can experience new textures, temperatures, sights, and smells that fulfill their curious cat nature.