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Expert Advice for Your Cat's Mealtime Issues

cats decoded More on PawNation: Behavior, Cats, Celebs, Food, Mealtime, Victoria Stilwell

By Kelli Bender Aug 16, 2012

  • Flickr User: Pacificat Ragdolls
    19 of 19
    Next: More Expert Cat Advice

    ANSWER:

    "That’s a gesture, since cats are very clean animals. It’s a habit for some cats. When they finish eating, they paw around the food bowl. Sometimes they are pushing back some of the food that got out of the food bowl and onto the ground. For other cats, it is just a way to make sure all their food is gathered, and it is also indulging in a behavior that gives cats comfort. After eating, felines can gain comfort from this digging, turning it into a ritual behavior."

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13 Comments

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vanhines

How do I know if my cat is crying or talking?

September 07 2012 at 12:16 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
doniharris82

MY ONE CAT EATS NORMAL BUT SHE IS POOPIN ANY AN EVERY WHERE.. THEN DIRAHA.. SO POOPIN ON MY SHOES IN MY DINNER ROOM.. BUT MY OTHER CAT ISNT DOIN THAT AT ALL.. AN HIS POOP IS NORMAL.. IT GOTTON TO THE POINT I WANT TO GET RID OF HER BUT BECAUSE OF HER AGE THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO SIGN PAPERS FOR THEM TO PUT HER TO SLEEP.. IM ITIRED OF WHAT SHE IS DOIN... BUT I DONT WANT THEM TO PUT HER TO SLEEP..

September 07 2012 at 11:54 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to doniharris82's comment
talbotshel

I had a cat that did the same thing for five years...had blood diarrhea too. I had her worked up but no cause was found. I think the reason she didn't use her litter box was that she probably had bowel cramps with elimination and came to associate the box with the pain. We had to have her put down when it became a daily event and she had lost five pounds.

September 07 2012 at 12:14 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
dsfds

My cat started chasing us and jumping on our laps to get at anything we were eating. He even wanted to lick the frost from our drink cans and glasses. I found him laying in the corner
looking sick. Took him to the vet and they had to pierce his tummy to get the air out. He was swelling up. They gave him an iv and vitamin shots . Took him home and for the last three days he is in bed with me slowly dying .Not in pain,giving pain liquids. So watch for any weird things your cat starts to do. He is not in pain and slowly going down hill. After nine years we will miss him.

September 07 2012 at 10:51 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
clairevirga

Yes, my cat did the same thing, he would pee on the places right by even the wider litter boxes I put down. A couple of times I slipped and fell on his pee. Went on for several years. What caused it??

September 07 2012 at 10:33 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
christinebuckery

my cat pees in other places beside the litter boxes. How can I stop that behavior?

September 07 2012 at 9:37 AM Report abuse Permalink +7 rate up rate down Reply
christinebuckery

My cat pees in other places besides the litter box. How can I stop that behavior?
Bucky

September 07 2012 at 9:34 AM Report abuse Permalink +4 rate up rate down Reply
Brenda

My cat hates to go in the car. She cries all the way and she vomits and has diarrhea in her carrier. Is there anything I can do to help her?

September 07 2012 at 9:28 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Brenda

My cat vomits and has diarrhea whenever I put her in the carrier to take her in the car. Is there anything I can do to ease her when I have to take her out?

September 07 2012 at 9:26 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Natalie

They throw up cause of hair balls. Try giving food used for sensitive stomachs. Hairball formula. Will help with throw up and won't be as often.

September 07 2012 at 9:02 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
blkbuetee

My cat throws up

September 07 2012 at 8:47 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
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