Why Do Cats Bury Their Food?

When cats bury their food or scratch around their bowls, they show an instinctive behavior that stems from their wild ancestors. This is normal.

In the wild, cats often bury leftover prey to avoid attracting predators. Burying the food hides their scent.

They might be saving the food for later. Sort of like us taking home a “doggie bag” from a restaurant.

They might be full, or they may not like the food if they didn’t eat it.

On rare occasions, a cat might do this if they are stressed. They might do this if they are a fussy eater or if there is something wrong with the food.