There are many things that our cats do on a daily basis, some of which can really make us scratch our heads and wonder why. Perhaps it is the stalking that they do during the night or why they constantly tear the toilet paper off of the roll. One type of behavior that has confounded cat owners for years is why they bury their own food. As it turns out, it is relatively common.
One of the reasons why people are curious about their cats burying food is because they do it in a similar way to how they bury their own waste. They will typically scrape their paw on the floor around the bowl and it’s not uncommon for them to begin pushing the bowl around because they get rather aggressive. So what’s the truth behind this behavior?
Many people are concerned that their cat is sending them some type of a message. After all, is it possible that your cat is burying their food because they don’t like it? Cats will do this to their food, at times even with a type of food that they have enjoyed in the past.
The simple truth behind this behavior is that it is dealing with the survival instincts of the cat. When in the wild, a cat may cover over their own food to keep predators from being attracted to the area. It also serves to keep other predators from knowing that there is a feline hunter lurking about.
Cats will not bury their food to eat it later, they are not scavengers. It is all for their own protection. Even if a cat lives indoors and has never had to deal with other animals, they may still display the survival instinct. It is built into them.
This type of behavior is harmless but there are many people who would rather their cat not do it. That is especially true if the cat becomes obsessed with burying their food. Here are some tips to help stop the problem.
1. Feed the cat smaller portions and see if it makes a difference
2. After your cat has finished eating, do not leave the bowl in position. Take it up, clean any spills and leave fresh water.
3. If you regularly leave food out, try using a “puzzle feeder” so that your cat has to hunt for their meal.
4. Use some type of distraction technique, such as playtime.
Via: Cat Behavior Assoc
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