Have you ever watched your feline friend diligently scratching around their food bowl after finishing a meal, mimicking the act of burying something? It’s a common, often perplexing, behavior that many cat owners observe in their beloved pets. While it might seem strange at first glance, this action, often referred to as “cat trying to cover food,” is rooted in a combination of instinct, environmental factors, and even personal preference. This article will delve into the fascinating world of your cat’s food-covering habits, exploring the reasons behind this behavior and offering guidance on how to address it.
The Curious Case of Food Covering: A Look into Evolutionary Instincts
To truly understand why your cat might be engaging in food-covering behavior, it’s essential to look back at their wild ancestors. Domestic cats, despite their pampered lives, retain many of the instincts that helped their forebears survive in the wilderness. One of the most powerful of these is the drive to protect resources, particularly food.
In their natural habitat, wild cats were hunters, relying on their skills to secure their meals. After a successful hunt, they would often consume as much as they could at once. However, prey animals are rarely completely devoured immediately. In these cases, instinct took over. Wild cats would instinctively bury the remaining portion of their kill. This wasn’t just a random act. It served a few crucial purposes.
Firstly, burying their food helped to conceal it from scavengers. The wild is a competitive environment, and other animals, such as foxes, birds of prey, and even other cats, would readily snatch an unattended meal. By burying their kill, cats could reduce the likelihood of attracting unwanted attention and losing their hard-earned prize.
Secondly, burying the food helped to prevent spoilage. Decomposing meat attracts flies and other insects, which can contaminate the food and make it unsafe to eat. By burying the kill in the earth, the cat created a cooler, darker environment that slowed down the decomposition process. This allowed them to return to the food later and consume it without risking illness.
This protective behavior is deeply ingrained in the feline psyche. Even though domestic cats are typically provided with regular meals and don’t face the same scavenging pressures as their wild counterparts, the instinct to bury remains strong. It’s a testament to the enduring power of evolution and the lasting impact of a cat’s ancestral past. So the sight of your cat trying to cover food is not a sign of rebellion but of their innate programming.
Beyond Instinct: Why Your Domestic Cat Is Trying to Cover Food
While instinct plays a significant role in the “cat trying to cover food” behavior, several other factors can contribute to this habit in domestic cats. These factors are often related to their individual preferences, their environment, and their overall well-being.
One of the most common reasons why cats try to bury their food is related to food quality and preference. Cats are notoriously finicky eaters. If they find a particular food unpalatable, they may instinctively try to bury it. This harkens back to their wild instincts where they bury things that might attract predators to their area if left exposed. Perhaps they don’t like the taste, the texture, or even the smell. They might associate the food with a previous bad experience. Regardless of the reason, if your cat consistently tries to bury a specific type of food, it might be a sign that they simply don’t like it. Consider trying different brands, flavors, or textures to see if you can find something they enjoy more.
Another factor that can influence food-covering behavior is hygiene. Cats are naturally clean animals, and they often have strong preferences for cleanliness, especially when it comes to their eating area. If a cat leaves food in their bowl and finds it to be old, it may have an instinctive urge to keep the feeding area clean. This digging behavior is an attempt to keep the surrounding area free from food debris. Regularly cleaning your cat’s food bowl can help reduce this behavior.
Territorial marking and scent is another potential reason behind the food-covering behavior. Cats possess scent glands in their paws. When they scratch or dig around their food bowl, they release these scents, effectively marking the area as their own. This is especially common in multi-cat households, where cats may feel the need to defend their resources from other animals. The “cat trying to cover food” could be just a ploy of marking territory. By scratching around the bowl, they are leaving a scent message that says, “This is mine!”
Boredom or displacement behavior can also be a trigger. If a cat is feeling bored, stressed, or anxious, they may exhibit digging behavior as a way to relieve their pent-up energy. This is particularly true if they are experiencing changes in their environment or routine. These behaviors help to alleviate feelings of anxiety, uncertainty, or frustration. Providing your cat with plenty of toys, scratching posts, and opportunities for play can help reduce boredom and anxiety, and potentially curb the digging behavior.
Finally, this behaviour can also be a learned behaviour. Cats are social animals and are known to imitate or mimic behaviours from other cats. If a cat grew up with a cat that was constantly digging and “burying” their food, they might have picked up this habit themselves and they might learn this habit and keep doing it because they get a reward for it.
Determining When to Be Concerned: Differentiating Normal Behavior from Potential Problems
In most cases, the “cat trying to cover food” behavior is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. However, there are times when it can be a sign of an underlying issue.
Changes in appetite are one of the most important things to watch for. If your cat suddenly stops eating, becomes excessively picky, or exhibits other unusual eating behaviors, it’s important to consult with a veterinarian. These changes could be indicative of a medical problem, such as a dental issue, gastrointestinal upset, or another health condition.
Excessive digging or scratching, especially if accompanied by other behavioral changes, could indicate anxiety or a more serious behavioral problem. If your cat is spending an inordinate amount of time digging around their food bowl, or if they are exhibiting other signs of stress, such as hiding, aggression, or excessive vocalization, it’s important to seek professional help from a certified cat behaviorist or your veterinarian.
Pain or discomfort can also be a factor. Rule out any dental issues or other painful conditions that might be affecting your cat’s eating habits. If your cat is experiencing pain, they may associate eating with discomfort, which could lead to them trying to bury their food.
Management Strategies: How to Address Food-Covering Behavior
If you are concerned about your cat’s food-covering behavior, there are several things you can do to manage it.
Experiment with food. Try different brands, flavors, and textures to see if your cat prefers something else. Offer small portions more frequently to reduce leftovers and minimize the need for burying.
Keep the feeding area clean. Regularly clean your cat’s food bowl and surrounding area to remove food debris. This will help to create a more hygienic environment and discourage burying behavior.
Provide mental stimulation. Make sure your cat has plenty of toys, scratching posts, and opportunities for play to reduce boredom and anxiety.
Create a calm environment. Minimize stressors in your home and provide your cat with a safe and quiet feeding area.
Consider separate feeding stations. In multi-cat households, provide separate feeding stations to reduce competition and territorial behavior. This can help to alleviate stress and discourage food-covering behavior.
Conclusion: Unveiling the Mystery of the Covering Cat
The “cat trying to cover food” behavior is often a combination of instinctive behavior and other factors such as food preference, scent marking, and environmental stressors. While it might seem strange to us humans, it’s important to remember that cats are complex creatures with their own unique set of needs and behaviors. Understanding the reasons behind your cat’s food-covering habits can help you to provide them with the best possible care.
In most cases, this behavior is harmless and simply a reflection of your cat’s natural instincts. However, it’s important to be observant and look for any signs of underlying issues. By paying attention to your cat’s behavior and addressing any concerns promptly, you can ensure their overall well-being and strengthen your bond. If you have any doubts or concerns, don’t hesitate to consult with a veterinarian or a certified cat behaviorist. They can provide personalized advice and help you to understand your cat’s behavior even better. After all, a happy cat makes for a happy home.
