Why does your cat "bury" its food bowl, and how can you train it to stop if it's bothering you?

Is your cat acting like a tiny archaeologist at mealtime? Discover the surprising reasons behind this quirky behavior and learn how to manage it without stress! Uncover the secrets of your feline's instincts and keep your home tidy. You won't believe what your cat is really trying to do!

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Sometimes a cat may scratch around its food bowl as if trying to bury it. If your cat does this, there's nothing to worry about. The reasons behind this feeding behavior in cats and how to discourage this habit are discussed in the pet blog The Spruce Pets.

Instinct from Ancestors

Many cats scratch and knead the floor around their bowl before or after eating. Some cats might take this ritual to extremes, spending a lot of time on it. Occasionally, cats also drag various items, like a towel or newspaper, to cover their bowl.

This behavior is instinctual, inherited from their wild ancestors. In the wild, larger cats often bury food remnants (as well as feces) to prevent predators from tracking them: buried food has a faint smell.

Interestingly, while some bury their food, a leopard, for instance, hides its leftover prey high in tree branches to keep it away from lions and hyenas. The North American lynx covers its leftover prey with debris to conceal it from other animals.

Cat's Cleanliness

Another reason a cat may want to rid itself of food remnants or their smell is their innate love for cleanliness.

Cats also bury their feces or various items they dislike. This is their way of disposing of waste. Since cats often sleep near where they eat, "burying" their bowl may serve as a form of tidying up in their personal space.

How to Discourage a Cat from "Burying" Food

This behavior is not harmful, but it can sometimes be quite annoying, especially if the cat tears paper and throws it into the bowl or drags towels for this purpose.

If you feel that this cat behavior is causing problems, here are a few tips to manage it:

Place the bowl on a hard surface away from items that can be torn or dragged to cover the bowl;
Stay with your cat while it eats, and remove the bowl as soon as it finishes;
When the cat starts to "bury" the bowl, distract it with a toy or play;
Avoid leaving either wet or dry food in the bowl throughout the day to prevent "burying."

Remember, this behavior is natural for cats, and they should never be punished for it.