Many pet parents often notice their cats scratching around food bowls. While this behavior may seem odd, it isn’t harmful in itself.
Cats often paw at their food for various reasons, including instincts, overfeeding, dissatisfaction with the meal, and more. By understanding why your cat does this, you can help eliminate this annoying habit.
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Instincts
Cats often scratch around their food bowls for various reasons. Some of these may stem from instinctual needs.
One of the primary reasons cats scratch their food is to hide it from predators. This behavior comes naturally as cats are prey animals/obligate carnivores who must protect their food and other resources.
Cats use kneading and scratching to mark their territory and communicate with other felines. Their actions leave visual and scent marks on surfaces they paw, as well as an invisible chemical pheromone message to alert other cats of their presence.
Some cats may even bury the leftovers and return later, which is an instinctive behavior that occurs if you have recently switched your cat’s diet.
Overfeeding
Your cat may begin scratching around their food bowl if they’ve been overfed. This behavior is common among overweight cats, as well as kitties with digestive issues or chronic illnesses like diabetes.
Cats often cover or attempt to bury leftover food as a means of hiding it from predators. This instinctive behavior is normal for cats to protect their territory, so you shouldn’t worry about it.
If your cat is eating too much, try dividing their food into smaller meals and feeding them more frequently. This will help control their appetite and lower the likelihood of overfeeding, obesity, or other health issues.
Dissatisfaction with the Food
Cats often scratch around their food bowls for various reasons, but it’s usually nothing to be concerned about unless the behavior changes suddenly. According to Charleston-based house-call veterinarian Dr. Barrett, this could be indicative of digestive issues in your feline friend.
Cats often scratch around their food to try to burrow away any remnants and hide it from predators. This instinctive behavior has been practiced for centuries and may be a remnant of their wild ancestors’ lifestyles.
Another potential cause of scratching may be that your cat isn’t satisfied with the food you’re serving them. You could try switching up their brand of kibble, giving smaller portions more frequently, or dividing their food into multiple meals throughout the day.
Pawing and scratching behavior is rarely indicative of a medical issue, but it does indicate your cat may not be feeling well. If this behavior is accompanied by decreased appetite, weight loss, vomiting or diarrhea, you should visit your vet right away for further assessment.
Cleanliness
If your cat is scratching around their food bowl, it could be an instinctive behavior. Cats tend to be very clean creatures and will want to maintain a neat eating area for several reasons.
Additionally, they may try to mask the scent of their food if they feel like there’s too much left behind in their bowls. This is particularly true if you feed them wet kibble which has a stronger aroma.
This may also be their way of cleaning up spills or messes in their bowls. Regularly cleaning around your cat’s bowl is recommended, as it helps prevent food from getting contaminated with bacteria and dirt. The same goes for the litter box – a clean home will make for a happier, healthier pet as well as being an improved choice for other family members and other pets.
