Wild cats often bury their food, and even pet cats often pretend they bury food in their bowls.
While some owners assume it shows that means they dislike it, it's not always the case.
Let's find out more about it.
Survival instinct
In the wild, cats are solitary hunters, and burying their food serves as a way to protect it from potential predators.
By burying the leftover food or covering it up, cats reduce the chances of attracting larger predators that may be lured by the scent.
Hiding from competition
Burying food can also be a way for cats to hide their food from potential competitors, whether it's other cats in a multi-cat household or even other animals in the vicinity.
By concealing their food, cats decrease the likelihood of it being stolen or challenged by other animals.
Scent-marking behavior
Cats have scent glands in their paws, and when they scratch or dig at the ground around their food, they leave their scent behind.
This scent marking is a way for cats to claim ownership of the area and the food, marking it as their territory.
Preservation for later
Burying food can serve as a means of preservation for cats.
In some cases, a cat may not be hungry at that moment but wants to save the food for later.
By burying it, they believe they are keeping it safe and fresh until they're ready to eat again.
