Why does my cat bury his food even when it’s in the kitchen in a bowl
There are a few possible reasons why cats try to bury their food, even when it’s in a bowl:
Instinct - Burying food is an innate behavior for cats in the wild. It helps conceal the food from other animals and also prevents the scent from spreading, which could attract predators. This instinct persists even when domestic cats eat indoors.
Preference for freshness - Cats have a strong sense of smell and burying the food may be your cat’s way of keeping the food fresh. The act of scraping litter or imaginary dirt over the food helps mask the scent.
Stress or discomfort - Some cats bury their food when they’re feeling anxious or uncomfortable in their environment. It can be a displacement behavior when they’re stressed.
Marking territory - By burying their food, cats may be trying to define that area as their territory. Covering up the food leaves their own scent on that spot.
Hunger response - Some cats may try to bury food if they’re not hungry right away. It’s thought they are preserving the food for later. This explains why some cats bury treats or favorite foods more often.
So in summary, the burying behavior is just an instinctive habit for many cats, even when indoors. Paying attention to when and how often your cat does this may help uncover if stress or other factors are at play. But in general, it’s perfectly normal cat behavior.
