Why is my cat scratching next to their food bowl?

Cats often display curious behaviours – including scratching or kneading around their food bowls. These actions are instinctive, rooted in their natural habits and emotional responses. You may have noticed this activity and understandably be confused or possibly even concerned. However, the reasons for this behaviour can all be traced back to their ancestry as wild animals. Read on to find out more about why your cat is scratching around their food bowl.

1. Instinctive cat behaviour

Scratching is an instinct and not a learned behaviour, and not all cats do it. You might notice your cat scratching the floor for a long time or dragging objects such as towels and rugs to their food bowl. It’s not clear why cats do this, but the obvious explanation is that, in the wild, cats bury their prey to keep their territory clean and save food for later.

2. Keeping enemies at bay

Cats rely on their sense of smell and bury their food and faeces to hide their odour from rival cats and larger predators. Mother cats take care of their litter by keeping their territory and kittens clean, providing extra protection. Indoors, they continue this behaviour instinctively, which is why some cats scratch the floor after eating.

3. Kneading the floor

Not only do cats scratch around food, but they also knead. This is a sign of pleasure. Cats and kittens knead each other by gently pressing their paws, one after the other – basically the same way people give massages. Sometimes, cats extend that behaviour to kneading the ground next to their food bowl. If they’re hungry and the surface is soft, they’ll be even more inclined to do it. So, it’s a sweet gesture!

There’s nothing wrong with scratching or kneading, but if you want to protect your floor or avoid the noise, try these tips:

• Keep delicate materials away
• Distract your cat with toys when they start scratching
• Remove their food bowl when they have finished eating

Cats like to eat many small meals a day, and it’s important not to discipline your cat for scratching or kneading. As it’s an instinctive behaviour, your cat won’t understand why they’re being punished. Instead, treat your cat’s scratching near their food bowl as one of the wonderful parts of their ancestry!