2 days ago
Why Are Cats Obsessed With Concrete Slabs?
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Cat owners have been descending on hardware stores on an unusual mission—picking up a concrete slab, typically for patios and garden paths, for their feline friend to lounge on.
Costing as little as $2, simple blocks of concrete are bringing unexpected joy to cats everywhere as owners share adorable reactions on social media.
Why Are People Buying Concrete for Cats?
For many pet owners, the trend is about enrichment, comfort, and fun. Indoor cats, in particular, seem to benefit from the novelty of the cool, textured surface.
"I just decided to hop on the trend because I usually avoid trends, but this one seemed like a fun little idea," Zach Hotaling from Atlanta told Newsweek. He recently shared the moment his cats Nanaki and JoJo were surprised with the concrete treat.
Pictures from TikTok of cat owners with a concrete slab, left, for their felines, right.
Pictures from TikTok of cat owners with a concrete slab, left, for their felines, right.
@renusdelph & @boujeemomof3 - TikTok
"My cats are indoor only, so might as well bring the outdoors to them," Hotaling said. In a video on TikTok, he shared the moment his feline were delighted by the gift of concrete.
Gracie Garcia from Texas had similar motivations when she picked up a piece of concrete for her cat Louie. "I saw people online talking about how concrete stays cool, and, since my cat loves lying on cool surfaces in the summer, I thought a concrete slab would be an easy, inexpensive way to keep them comfy—and they love it," Garcia told Newsweek.
Why Do Cats Like Concrete?
Cat behaviorists say there are plenty of reasons cats might be drawn to a humble concrete block—from its shape and height to the texture and temperature.
"If you have an indoor cat, and space, then buying a slab of concrete is a fun idea," Celia Haddon, cat behaviorist and author of Being Your Cat, told Newsweek. "It shouldn't cost a lot, and you might be able to just find one in builders' skip for free. Put it in a sunlit place if you want it to warm up. It will retain the heat well."
There is a psychological appeal too. "One of the funniest things in cat behavior is the way they like sitting in boxes—not just real boxes but rectangular shapes, which give an illusion of being a box," Haddon said.
Louie the cat, left, checks out the concrete slab, and JoJo, right, performs a concrete sniff test.
Louie the cat, left, checks out the concrete slab, and JoJo, right, performs a concrete sniff test.
@renusdelph & @boujeemomof3 - TikTok
"There was a special bit of research with the fun title of 'If I fits I sits: A citizen science investigation into illusory contour susceptibility in domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus),' which concluded that cats have 'contour comprehension,' so that they will sit inside the illusion of a square," Haddon said. "I would say 'If a concrete square slab fits, your cat sits.'"
Anita Kelsey, feline behaviorist and author of The Little Book of Extraordinary Cats, echoed the sentiment. "Concrete can be particularly appealing because of its temperature-regulating properties. The texture of concrete also plays a role, as it's rough and scratchy, which some cats find soothing or stimulating," she told Newsweek.
JoJo, left, and Louie, right, enjoying their concrete slabs.
JoJo, left, and Louie, right, enjoying their concrete slabs.
@renusdelph & @boujeemomof3 - TikTok
Is Concrete Safe for Cats?
While the popular trend of buying concrete for cats is mostly a good idea, there are some considerations.
"Ensure the concrete is clean and has not come from a construction site or any area where it may have been exposed to chemicals, oils, or other harmful substances," said Kelsey.
It is also important to keep an eye on the temperature of the concrete itself. "Concrete in direct sunlight can become extremely hot and may burn your cat's paw pads or contribute to overheating," Kelsey said. "While cats are generally good at self-regulating their body temperature and will likely move if it becomes uncomfortable, it's still best to provide shade, allow access during cooler times of the day, and monitor the surface temperature regularly."
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