Amelia Taylor – Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
If you’ve ever watched your cat finish eating and then start pawing or scratching at the floor near their food bowl, you’re not alone. This behavior can look confusing almost like your cat is trying to bury their meal. While it may seem strange, it’s completely natural and deeply rooted in feline instincts. Knowing why your cat is scratching the floor next to her food can tell you what they are trying to say and if you need to make adjustments.
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It’s an Instinct to “Bury” Food
Cats in the wild bury leftover food in order to keep the smell from predators or other animals. Although your cat is a domesticated animal with no necessity to conceal her dinner, that deep-seated instinct still exists.
What it means: Your cat is secure and comfortable enough to go by her natural instincts indoors. They are playing at covering up what remains of their food the way they would cover up waste in a litter box.
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They’re Saving Food for Later
Another frequent explanation is that your cat may be “saving” their food for future consumption. Cats in the wild occasionally bury extra food to come back to later if hunting is unsuccessful. Scratching the ground replicates hiding food for later consumption.
What to do: If your cat eats only part of her meal and scratches afterward, try serving smaller portions more often so there’s less leftover food to trigger this behavior.
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The Bowl or Food Smells Strange
Cats have a very good sense of smell, and sometimes they don’t like the bowl’s smell, the floor’s smell, or even the food’s smell. Plastic bowls especially tend to absorb smells your cat doesn’t like.
What to do: Wash a stainless steel or ceramic bowl and use it every day. Feed your cat away from strong-smelling household odors like cleaning chemicals or perfumes.
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They’re Marking Their Territory
Scratching is not just about hiding — it’s also marking. Cats have scent glands in their paws, and when they scratch near their food, they’re leaving their scent to mark ownership. It’s a sneaky way of claiming, “This is my food.”
What to do: There’s no reason to prohibit this activity. It’s harmless and just the way cats communicate.
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Doesn’t Like the Feeding Area
Occasionally, scratching at the floor in front of food is your cat’s indication that they doesn’t like the spot. Perhaps the site is too exposed, noisy, or proximity to their litter box.
What to do: Move their bowl to a quiet corner where there’s not a lot of traffic or loud machinery. Cats like to dine in quiet, secluded areas.
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Just Playing
Not all scratches are of great depth. Cats habitually scratch with their paws to investigate texture, feel the surface, or frolic around after meals. In young or playful cats, scratching the floor might be simply an amusing post-meal activity.
What to do: Have a scratching post or mat close by to divert their energy.
