Has your cat ever pretended to bury her/his food? Even after eating it? Like they are burying their waste? My lovely Lotto usually does that, and I heard many similar stories from the other cat owners. At first, I thought she is doing that because she didn’t like the food; but no, she is sometimes doing it after eating some.
The other kitties at home don’t do that, except Leo (the number one Tuxedo). He is doing the exact same thing, eating a part of his food, then pretending to bury it. It was definitely clear that he liked the food because he ate it, so there must be another reason.
And after some research, I learned that yes, there is another reason why cats pretend to bury their food. Here’s a short explanation:
Why do cats pretend to bury food?
Cats are semi-domesticated animals. Their ancestors are African wildcats. And if you look at a photo of an African wildcat, you probably think that they are almost the same animals. And yes, they really are. Cats changed so little, for example, compared to dogs which evolved from wolves. The domestic cat and the African wildcat are so similar that the African wildcat easily interbreeds with feral domestic cats.
Cat studies of all types are hindered by the many physical and behavioral similarities between domestic cats and their wild relatives. In fact, it is often difficult or impossible for even the trained eye to tell them apart, and interbreeding has created many hybrids between the two.
So, in the wild, a wildcat (or since they are almost the same animals, a domestic cat) may attempt to bury or cover any uneaten food in order to avoid attracting any predators in the area. It is also an attempt to not alert any other potential prey that a feline hunter is in the vicinity.
Is it possible the cats pretend to bury food to be able to eat it later when they are hungry?
No – cats aren’t scavengers so they don’t bury the food to consume later – it’s strictly for protection purposes. Even an indoor cat who has never been outside sometimes retained this survival instinct. n overall, it is totally harmless behavior.
What can you do to prevent it?
You may consider giving your cat food in small portions. Watch the amount your cat typically eats in a meal, and next time, give her/him food in that quantity.
Another option is, you can take away your cat’s bowl when s/he finished her/his meal. In fact, cats don’t like it if their food is open for a while because it loses its aroma. Take the food bowl up, clean any spills on the floor and leave fresh water available.
Related: Why do cats afraid of cucumbers?
Sources
- African wildcat on Wikipedia
- “House Cat Origin Traced to Middle Eastern Wildcat Ancestor” on the National Geographic website
- Why Do Cats Bury Food? on the Cat Behavior Associates website
- How to Save an Abandoned Kitten [The Real Story of Olive] - March 7, 2024
- 25 Things You Should Never Do To Your Cat! - October 17, 2023
- Behavioral Signs of 10 Common Cat Illnesses: What to Watch For - October 13, 2023
What other wild animals cover their food after eating? Raccoons? Skunks?