Why Do Cats Scratch Around Their Food?

As a cat owner, you may have noticed that before and after your feline eats, it kneads, scratches, or paws the floor as if it’s burying or digging something. Most people get worried and think it is abnormal behavior. However, this action is quite common in cats; there is nothing wrong with your little furball.

Cats usually scratch around their food to hide the scent or protect their kittens. Your feline is more intelligent than you think. It might be cleaning the space around its food or communicating with you. 

To give you more perspective in this regard, below, we have mentioned some of the most common reasons why do cats scratch the floor around their food:

Cats and Floor Pawing

Floor pawing behavior is not that rare in cats. However, it’s worth taking into note that no two cats are the same. While one feline has a specific behavior, the other one might simply refuse to do that. In general, most cats will knead, paw or scratch the floor around their food. 

You can think that floor pawing is a natural instinctive behavior, which means it’s not genetic. Some cats even take this behavior to an extreme by spending hours kneading the carpet or scratching the floor. Some even try to drag objects simultaneously.

Keep reading to learn why do cats scratch around their food bowl:

Why Do Cats Scratch Around Their Food Bowls – Reasons

Most people think their felines are aloof, but these animals are actually quite intelligent. They usually learn most of their useful skills while playing with you. This is the main reason why two cats are not the same. Compared to feral and wild cats, domestic ones are more socialized and unique.

There are numerous causes that can alter a cat’s behavior. To help you out, below, we have mentioned some of the most common reasons why cats scratch around their food and what it means: 

They Don’t Like the Food

When it comes to food, cats are quite picky. If you offer your feline something that they don’t like, they will express their feelings by performing different actions. While some cats wrinkle their nose and leave the food, others might select a different approach and scratch around their food. 

Some cats even try to bury their food into the ground to express their anger. They will knead the floor and bury their food to dispose of it. This behavior is the same as what a feline does in the litter box.

Too Much Quantity

If you offer too much cat food to your feline, you’ll notice that your cat is scratching the floor around after eating a small portion. As cats only enjoy fresh food, this is their way of telling that they won’t be having this cat food later. 

To stop your cat from doing this, you should try to control the quantity you offer them. It will keep them healthy and less stressed.

Clean the Space

Just like humans, cats love to spend time in clean places. That’s why your feline is obsessed with excessive grooming. Sometimes, if you offer your cat their favorite food in small portions, they will still scratch the floor. In this scenario, your feline is trying to clean its surroundings. 

Kneading the Floor

It’s not always a negative thing. Sometimes, cats scratch the floor because they are enjoying it. The kneading behavior in cats is quite common. According to a Rachel Barrack, kittens love to knead their mothers while nursing. Some adult cats even knead their bedding, furry siblings, and owners as well.

So, it’s a possibility that your cat tries to scratch not only the floor but also other objects, including cats, humans, blankets, toys and more. Therefore, you should not get worried and try to enjoy their adorable actions.

Protect Her Kittens

Why is my cat scratching the floor near her food? The food burying behavior is quite important for both female and male cats. Compared to males, this action is more important for female ones because they try to protect their kittens. As kittens are quite vulnerable, the last thing a mother should do is expose their hiding space by leaving the leftovers.

So, if your female feline that just gave birth to kittens is scratching the floor around their food, she might be doing it to protect her babies.   

Hide the Scent

Since your feline is an obligate carnivore, they require hunting to survive. Cats get most of their essential minerals and vitamins from small animals. As a result, even domestic cats have predatory instincts. Furthermore, cats are also prey for more powerful and bigger predators. Therefore, they need to conceal their presence to survive.

Survival instincts are one of the main reasons why cats scratch the floor around their food. They try to bury the leftovers of their prey to conceal their presence. 

How to Stop My Cat from Scratching the Floor?

As mentioned earlier, the floor pawing behavior of a cat is quite normal and completely harmless. However, if your cat is obsessed with scratching, it might cause some problems, such as damage to property, injuries, and more.

Therefore, it’s rational to ask how to stop my cat from scratching the floor? Well, first of all, don’t be too harsh on your feline. Cats are both sensitive and emotional. Even a little spanking can lead to internal bleeding and stress in cats.

To stop your cat from scratching the floor, you can take the following steps that are completely harmless:

• Avoid leaving large portions of cat food
• Distract your feline with a game or toy
• Stay with your cat as it eats, and remove the bowl when it’s finished
• Keep bowl away from objects that can be dragged or damaged

Final Verdict

We hope you have understood why cats scratch around their food. Remember that it is an instinctive behavior. So, you should not punish your cat for doing it. Just distract your feline from kneading the floor and keep him/her away from the food bowl once it is finished.