From Hunter to Hoarder: Why Cats See Food Bowls as Treasure Troves

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A reader recently sent in this photo and asked, “Do your cats do this? Suzie does this EACH time she eats, she puts a toy in her dish, sometimes more than one. I find it so comical but don’t understand the meaning, do you have any ideas? I have found as many as 8 toys in one day….!”

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My cats don’t do this – so I went to the streets to ask! Click the link below to read the readers comment.

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Many readers commented that their cats do this too – and also that their cats put toys in the water bowl.

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There were several responses, but the overwhelming reason why is because it’s primal and they’re doing it to bury their food from predators.

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Petcha.com says, “Cats often put their toys away in a “safe” place after playing with them, and cats look upon their food area as a secure part of their territory.

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This behavior is similar to cats in the wild who often take their prey back to their nest area to hide it from potential predators.”

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