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Have you ever noticed that your cat often has a habit of scratching the floor after eating as if they are burying something? Some cats purposely hide food in cups of water, others hide them under carpets or carry food into hidden corners. Not all cats do this, but some cats’ stubbornness causes anxiety in their owners. But, actually, that’s normal for cats. There are several theories to explain this pet behavior
Cats, as we all know, have quite complex personalities. However, this did not stop them from becoming millions of people’s favorite. Even scientists can’t always figure out what’s causing this behavior or the behavior of these pets. Digging for food is one of the most confusing and curious acts of cats. Many owners are perplexed by their pet’s behavior. What could be the reason for this?
cat instincts
Cats, according to experts, have retained their instincts since ancient times. Despite the fact that cats have long been domesticated by humans, they can still exhibit wild behaviors. The act of burying food is one of these manifestations. When we see a cat digging for food, the first thing that comes to mind is the desire to hide it from other animals in order to satisfy its hunger. In the wild, not every animal hunt is successful, which is why the exploitation of reserves plays such an important role. Food storage prevents animals from going hungry until they can find another food source.
Another reason is cats instinctively try to hide food from potential opponents, even when no one is trying to steal. Attracting rivals to their territory is undesirable for them. If there are many cats in the house, the animals will try to hide their food from them.
In the southern countries, the flesh of slain prey decomposes quickly in the heat of the sun and begins to decompose, making it unsuitable for wildlife food. Perhaps this is another reason cats bury their food or try to conceal it under vegetation.
Cats’ behavior appears ridiculous because they are aware that they will not be able to bury food on the floor. Cats have no idea why they bury those things. Whether they eat leftovers later or not, their innate instincts and genetic habits make them do so.
Habit
Habits form as a result of prior experience. It can be both positive and negative. Burying food is sometimes associated with the cat attempting to bury the splashes for fear of the owner scolding and slapping the floor. This was because the animals remembered being scolded and slapped for a puddle when they couldn’t get used to using the toilet.
The other reason is cats dislike their place to eat. There are numerous reasons for this outcome, including the fact that the pet does not feel safe or that an unpleasant odor repels it. Also, do not place the cat food cup near the washing machine: the sound produced by the device can immediately startle the animal, making them feel uneasy and scared.
Do I need to get rid of this habit of my cat? If the cause is the cat’s discomfort, then you need to do so. Try to change the feeding place, spread the mat there. Try not to disturb the animal during the meal. And the most important thing is to make it feel safe, and there will be no food competition with it.
Hungry memories
There are cases where the pet tries to bury the food bowls one by one since he/she must have been very hungry in the past and still cannot forget this unpleasant period of his/her life. This strangeness must be treated with patience. Only affection, cuddles, calmness, and stability can help your pet overcome his or her fear of hunger.
The food is delicious
In addition to the reasons stated above, cats can bury food in the house if they so desire. They experience and express pleasure with their food in this manner. The dish appeared to be so delicious to the point that it woke up their animal’s ancestral genes and decided to hide the food. Please keep in mind that feral cats do not hide all of their prey and only eat the most delicious
Foodies, of course, only value what they like best. If your cat starts digging after eating or dinner with an appetite, it means he appreciates your kindness and care.
How to prevent this behavior of a cat?
Cats scratching or burying food is just normal behavior to hide their tracks or protect the food from surrounding animals. Actually, this behavior actually does not bring much danger to cats and owners, on the contrary, this action of them is quite cute. So there’s no need to discourage this behavior of cats, just let them do what they like
But what if your cat causes damage to your furniture, carpets, or floors as a result of this behavior, or if you are irritated by the cat’s behavior? Then some of the methods listed below may assist you in controlling your pet.
- First, give them less food than usual, and don’t try to overfill the bowl so they don’t have a lot of leftovers to bury.
- Second, do not put more dry food in your cat’s bowl before she has finished eating, as this indicates that you are encouraging her to scratch the floor.
- Third, keep the food bowl on a hard surface that won’t be damaged by the cat’s claws and away from items they might use to cover the food.
Inconclusion
The cat is a perplexing and complex animal. To take better care of your cat, you must be patient and delicate as a cat owner, try to spend more time taking care of and playing with your cat. Hopefully, the above information can help you somewhat better understand your cat and strengthen your relationship.
