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Cats do the cutest things.
Most cat owners have noticed that they like to paw around their food bowls, especially after eating.
If your cat does this and wants to know why, youre in the right place!
The main reason why cats scratch around their food is linked to their instincts.
The information provided herein is for informational purposes only.
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Do all cats scratch around their bowl?
No, not all cats scratch around food bowls.
Like humans, cats are individuals with different personalities that influence their behaviors.
However, there are many more reasons for this behavior.
Do cats paw around their water bowl as well?
They usually do this as a form of territorial marking or to show that theyre anxious.
In the wild, the scent of leftover food could attract predators or scavengers, jeopardizing their safety.
To prevent this, they usually bury food after a meal to hide its scent.
This behavior of hiding food is known as food caching.
Our house cats still have their hunting instincts intact.
Maternal behavior
While your cat is domesticated, it still retains its maternal protective instincts.
In the wild, mother cats with kittens will often bury their food to prevent attracting predators.
Image credits:Mohak Makin
Female cats are fiercely protective of their kittens.
Your cat may be scratching because it is trying to cover up their leftovers.
Overfeeding cats can lead to many adverse conditions, such as obesity, immunosuppression, and reproductive issues.
Disapproval
Your cat may be scratching around food to show you it doesnt like it.
Your cats pawing may be a way of asserting territorial ownership and marking the feeding area.
Cats are naturally clean animals that like to clean up after themselves.
Kneading
Your cat might not be scratching but kneading the floor.
Many cats knead as a way to show pleasure and contentment.
This breadmaking action shows a positive association with eating, indicating that you have a happy cat.
Should you stop cats from pawing around their food?
In most cases, this instinctive behavior doesnt cause any harm.
It can mean different things, from territorial marking to comfort-seeking, and should cause no worry.
If this pawing behavior starts suddenly and becomes excessive, it could mean an underlying health or behavioral issue.
It could also be a pointer to environmental stressors like routine changes, new pets, etc.
In any case, if this becomes a harmful behavior in any way, consult your veterinarian.
This prevents them from scratching in an attempt to bury their leftovers.
Wet food spoils quickly; leftovers should be removed within a few minutes after mealtime.
Also, avoid leaving dry food out for a long time.
To prevent this, measure out appropriate portions of food based on your cats weight and activity level.
Never punish your cat for scratching
Scratching is a natural and instinctual behavior in cats.
Punishment can be counterproductive and detrimental to your relationship with your pet.
These stressors can cause harmful behaviors like aggression and excessive grooming to arise as well.
Observe your cats environment and eliminate stressors that may be causing this behavior.
Distracting your cat with positive activities redirects their focus and creates a positive association with mealtime.
These feeders make your cat work for their food by engaging their natural hunting instincts.
This can effectively redirect their focus away from scratching and towards a more constructive and satisfying behavior.
Always consult your veterinarian if you notice any changes in your cats behavior.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my pet make a mess with their cat food?
How do I get my cat to stop making a mess with food?
Prevent your cat from making a mess with food by using non-tip bowls or placing a non-slip mat underneath.
you’ve got the option to also opt for a slow feeder or puzzle feeder.
