Ever seen your cat scratching the floor after eating?
Watching your cat scratch the floor makes you think that it is just their silly dance to celebrate the food. Cats have many freaky habits. One of the most confused habits is that when they scratch the floor after eating. It is more confusing when they do the same thing with the food they usually enjoy.
Many cat owners ask, “Why is my cat scratching the floor after eating?” This question usually pops up in the mind because this behavior is common among cats of all ages. Some cats do it occasionally. On the other side, most of the cats make it their habit. It can happen to wet or dry food.
Contents
Treating Food Dish Like a Litter Box
Some cats treat their food dish like a litter box. This behavior is linked to the same instinct that makes cats bury their poop. Wild cats cover their waste to avoid attracting predators. When a cat scratches around its food bowl, it might be trying to hide the food. This instinct can be stronger in some cats than others.
A cat may feel the need to cover its food if it is full. Some cats also develop this habit if they are in a multi-cat household. In this condition, competition over food is common. They might try to save the food for later. It is like they are in the wild. This behavior is usually harmless. If there is excessive scratching around the food dish, then it could be a sign of discomfort.
Instincts Passed Down from Wild Ancestors
Cats are natural hunters. Their instincts are established in the wild to survive. Big cats like lions and leopards bury their leftover food to hide it from predators. This helps them return later to eat without risking their safety. Domestic cats live in a safe environment but still carry this survival trait. When your cat scratches the floor after eating, it might be an attempt to bury the food.
Indoor cats have no real threat around their food. They still act on these instincts. This explains why some cats try to cover their food with blankets or even clothes. They are not rejecting the food. They might just be following the old habit. The same thing applies to their waste. Which is why cats try to bury their food.
I first noticed this behavior when my cat tried to bury her wet food on Reddit. It seemed funny at first. She would scratch the floor dramatically as if she were trying to dig a hole. After some research, I realized this was a common behavior among cats. Watching her do this made me appreciate how even a house cat has the wild spirit.
How To Stop This Behavior
Cat food for picky cats can be a good choice to stop this behavior. The easiest way to stop your cat from burying food is to feed them a small portion. When there is too much food to eat, then cats will try to bury them. You can also feed them diet cat food to keep them away from this habit. When I used this strategy, I personally noticed a big change in the behavior of a cat. This method works especially for wet food.
Keeping the feeding area clean is another way to make your cat avoid this habit. Cats are sensitive to their environment. Messy and noisy can make them feel uncomfortable. I still remember when my cat used to do the same. I tried this method to make my cat avoid this behavior. Now, my cat doesn’t do this anymore.
Conclusion
Cats trying to bury their food is a natural act. It always doesn’t mean to not worry. If this instinct is increasing more than average, then you should try to feed them the best cat food. You have to feed them less food according to their routine. Understanding why cats do this behavior is very important to keep your cat away from it. A calm and clean feeding area must be needed. You can also try to decrease their food content.
FAQ’s
What does it mean when a cat tries to bury its food?
It is usually an instinct to hide leftovers from predators. You can keep their area clean to avoid this behavior.
Why are my cats scratching the floor near her food after eating?
Your cat is scratching the floor near her food because of natural instinct. Wild cats usually do this act to hide food from predators.
Why does my cat try to cover his food like poop?
There could be some reasons for covering food, like poop. The reasons could be dirty feeding areas. It is also a natural instinct to bury the leftovers.
How to get a cat to stop trying to bury food?
You can try cleaning their feeding area to stop them from burying food. You can also decrease their food content.
