Have you ever watched your cat finish eating, only to start scratching the floor around their food? You might have noticed your cat doing this, but it often leaves cat owners puzzled. Many think this scratching behavior means the cat is trying to “bury” the food, maybe like they do in the litter box, and often assume it means the cat didn't like their meal.
But that's usually not the real reason for this strange habit! If you've been wondering about this yourself, you're not alone. Let's explore the actual reasons and answer that popular question, “Why does my cat scratch the floor after eating?”
Why Cats Scratch Near Food?
Cats do some odd things sometimes, and scratching near food is one of them. One common habit you might have noticed is your cat scratching the floor around their food, sometimes before they eat, but often right after.
Seeing this might make you worry, does my pet not like the food I'm giving them? It's easy to think that, and you might worry even more if your cat sometimes turns their nose up at food.
It's all about instinct…
But interestingly, this scratching usually has nothing to do with whether they like the food or not, it's actually a very natural instinct passed down from their wild ancestors.
Out in the wild, cats would often try to hide or “cache” leftover food to save it for later and keep other animals from finding it. That scratching motion you see is like they're trying to push dirt or leaves over the food to cover it up, even when they're on your kitchen floor.
Sometimes, they might even try to pull a nearby towel or paper over the bowl as part of this instinct. So, it's a normal, healthy cat behavior, not necessarily a sign they hate their dinner.
An Old Survival Instinct
This scratching habit often happens right there on the kitchen floor, whether it's tile or carpet. Obviously, there's no dirt or leaves there actually to move around, so why do they do it?
As we touched on earlier, this behavior is still very much alive in our house cats because it comes from a powerful, old survival instinct. For their wild ancestors, catching prey often meant they couldn't eat everything at once.
They needed to try to bury or hide any leftovers. Doing this helped keep other predators from finding their food source and, just as importantly, it helped cover their scent trail so they wouldn't be easily tracked.
Although your cat lives safely indoors with you and doesn't need to worry about hiding food from rivals or predators, that deep-down instinct to cover things up after eating can still kick in. It’s a leftover habit from their wild past, hardwired into their behavior – just part of being a cat!
When Cats Cover the Bowl
While many cats just scratch the floor nearby, some take that instinct a step further. You might actually see your cat trying to physically cover their food bowl after eating.
Since they can't use dirt or leaves indoors, they get creative! Cat owners have seen them use all sorts of things, pulling a nearby kitchen towel over the bowl, dragging a piece of newspaper onto it, or using whatever else is handy nearby.
Why do they do this? It's the same basic instinct we talked about, trying to hide their food to keep it safe. It's just their smart way of adapting that wild behavior to their home environment, using the materials they have available. Pretty smart, right?
A Mother Cat's Instinct
That instinct to hide food after eating is strong in all cats, but it can be even more intense for mother cats protecting their kittens.
Studies have even shown that mother cats are finely tuned to their kittens' needs, reacting differently depending on how urgent a kitten's cry sounds. This shows just how fiercely protective they are.
So, if you're asking, why does my cat scratch the floor after eating? And you happen to have a female cat who recently had kittens, her strong maternal instincts could be the main reason! That scratching is her way of trying to erase any trace that could put her little ones at risk.
To help a new mother cat feel more secure, make sure she and her kittens have a safe, quiet, and private space away from household traffic. This might help her relax and reduce the scratching behavior around her food. But even if she continues doing it, don't worry too much – as long as she's eating well and caring for her kittens, it's just her powerful natural instincts at work.
Could That Scratching Actually Mean Happiness?
Sometimes, that scratching motion near the food isn't about hiding food at all! If you watch your cat closely, it might actually be a sign they're feeling really happy and content. This can happen before, during, or after they eat, which can seem a bit confusing at first.
This behavior often relates back to when they were tiny kittens. You know how kittens sometimes push their paws against their mother while nursing? That kneading motion helps the milk flow. Many cats carry this comforting behavior into adulthood. You might see them making biscuits or kneading on soft blankets, your lap, other pets, or even just the floor when they feel safe, relaxed, and happy.
So, when answering “Why does my cat scratch the floor after eating?”, sometimes the answer is simply contentment! Suppose your cat is kneading the floor near their food, perhaps purring or meowing happily at the same time. In that case, it's very likely they're showing excitement for their meal, enjoying it immensely, or expressing satisfaction afterwards. It's often just their way of showing pure pleasure associated with feeding time.
Hope this helps explain that funny floor scratching habit near the food! If you found this interesting, you might also enjoy reading these related articles:
- Cat Scratch Furniture Protector That Saved Thousands of Sofas
- Ways to Redirect Your Cat's Scratching Behavior
- Know Your Cat’s Scratching Style
