Why Does My Cat Try to Bury Her food?
Last updated: 8th Dec 2023
Pussycats love scratching. They scratch to edge their nails, cover their toileting, mark their home, and occasionally just for the heck of it! But when your kitty scrapes around her bowl or tray to bury their food, that serves a different purpose. It means she’s trying to bury her food. But why?
A few possible reasons why Cats try to bury their food
Rest assured, it’s pretty standard and generally nothing to worry about. There are several propositions as to why pussycats scratch around their bowl. In the wild, pussycats are both bloodsuckers and prey. One recommendation is that pussycats bury any leftover food to avoid attracting bloodsuckers to the smell of meat – a safety medium to avoid attracting unwanted attention.
They will also bury leavings to avoid spooking off implicit refections( since half-eaten cadavers could warn their prey that a commodity is hunting in the area). Still, it may try to bury it to cover the offending odor If a cat dislikes the smell of the food.
Still, they may scratch around the food bowl, trying to bury the rest for the latterly. If you feed your cat further food, they can manage. Pussycats are naturally veritably clean brutes, so they’re clearing up after themselves.
Another proposition is that they’re trying to bury any leftover food so they can return to it later, keeping it safe and cool. This is less likely since pussycats aren’t naturally scavengers. This may be a possibility in the wild if food is in short force.
Should I be worried if my Cat buries her food?
In utmost cases, no. This is a natural gesture and is pretty common. Still, if your cat is trying to bury her food and isn’t eating her usual quantum or isn’t well in herself, this may be a problem. Your cat may be trying to bury their food because they’re feeling squeamish, so they want to cover the smell of the food.
Or your cat has a reduced appetite or seems bad in themselves; also call your veterinarian for advice If the geste is new.
How can I stop this behavior?
Most of the time, you don’t need to! Scratching around the food bowl is a normal and natural behavior. However, if it bothers you or damages your floor, you may want to try to prevent the behavior. Here are some tips that can help stop your cat from scratching around their food bowl:
Offer your cat smaller, frequent meals
Remove any uneaten food promptly
Opt for dry food for grazing cats
Divert their attention with toys if they scratch
Utilize puzzle feeders for hunting instincts
Serve meals on scratch-resistant surfaces
If you have any concerns about your cat’s appetite, seek advice from your veterinarian. Otherwise, there is no need for an alarm if your cat scratches around their food bowl. Now, you won't be baffled the next time your cat looks like she’s trying to bury her leftovers!
FAQs
What should I do if my cat tries to cover her food with her paw?
If you see your cat using her paw to cover her food, it's important to respect her behavior. Avoid interrupting or correcting her, as this behavior is a natural instinct for her. Instead, you can observe from a distance and ensure that the food bowl is placed in a quiet and secure location. Additionally, consider providing smaller, more frequent meals for your cat to satisfy her instinctive desire to hide her food for later. Maintaining a clean and comfortable litter box nearby is also essential, as this can help fulfill your cat's need to bury or cover things, such as her food.
Is it normal for my cat to try to bury her food around her food bowl?
Yes, it's entirely normal for cats to exhibit burying behavior around their food bowl. This behavior is often an extension of their natural instinct to hide and protect their food. It's essential to acknowledge and accept this behavior as a part of your cat's instinctive tendencies. Avoid scolding or forcing your cat to stop this behavior, as it's a natural aspect of her feline nature.
Should I be concerned if my cat buries her food using the floor around her food bowl?
Burying food around the food bowl by using the floor is a common behavior in cats and doesn't usually warrant concern. This behavior is a natural instinct for cats, and it's a way for them to protect and save their food. It's important to allow your cat to express this inherent behavior without interference. However, maintaining a clean eating area for your cat and ensuring proper hygiene around the food bowl is still advisable to prevent any potential mess or hygiene issues.
How can I prevent my cat from attempting to bury her food?
It's important to understand that attempting to prevent your cat from burying her food may not be necessary or effective. Trying to stop this instinctive behavior can lead to stress or anxiety for your cat. Instead, ensure that your cat's feeding area is clean, comfortable, and located in a quiet spot to help decrease her instinct to cover her food. Providing smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day can also minimize her urge to bury her food, as she may feel less need to save it for later. Additionally, maintaining an accessible and clean litter box nearby gives your cat a suitable alternative for fulfilling her natural burying instincts.
Does the amount of food I give my cat affect her tendency to try to bury it?
The amount of food you give your cat can influence her burying behavior to some extent. Providing smaller, more frequent meals can help satisfy your cat's natural instinct to cache or hide her food for later. Cats might be less inclined to bury their food if they feel that there's an ample and consistent supply of food available throughout the day. However, individual cat behaviors can vary, and some cats may attempt to bury their food regardless of the feeding routine. Understanding your cat's unique tendencies and respecting her natural instincts is essential in creating a comfortable feeding environment for her.
When I give my cat wet food, she tries to bury it. Why is that?
Cats burying their wet food is a typical behavior, and it usually stems from their instinctive drive to hide and save their food for later. Wet food closely resembles the texture and consistency of prey in the wild, prompting cats to exhibit their natural burying behavior. If your cat attempts to cover her wet food, it's an entirely normal response to the food's resemblance to what she might hunt and cache in the wild. Understanding this behavior as a natural instinct and supporting it by providing a secure and comfortable feeding area can help your cat feel more at ease during meal times.
My cat doesn't like to eat food without covering it. Is this normal?
Some cats prefer to cover their food before eating it, which can be a normal behavior for them. This preference often reflects their instinctive desire to protect and stash their food for later. If your cat shows a strong preference for covering her food before eating, it's essential to respect this behavior and accommodate her preferences. Providing a quiet and secure feeding area, as well as smaller, more frequent meals, can help alleviate her need to cover the food before consuming it, creating a more comfortable feeding experience for her.
What should I do if my cat tries to bury her food in the litter box?
If your cat attempts to bury her food in the litter box, it's essential to address this behavior to prevent any contamination or hygiene issues. The likeliest reason for this behavior is the close proximity of the litter box to the feeding area. To discourage this behavior, consider relocating your cat's food and water bowls to a separate location from the litter box. It's also crucial to ensure that the litter box is clean and inviting for your cat to use, so she doesn't feel the need to bury her food in it. Offering a clean, comfortable, and quiet feeding area can also help minimize this behavior.
