Why Do Cats Play With Their Food?

Are you a cat owner who’s frustrated with their cat for playing with their food? It’s quite common for cats to bat their food about with their paws or take it out of the bowl before eating it. They might even run around with it or take it somewhere else to chow down.

If you find yourself following your cat around with a mop, or getting the carpet cleaner out regularly, you might be feeling at the end of your rope. Let’s find out why cats play with their food, and when this behavior might indicate a problem.

Why Do Cats Play With Their Food?

Some cats do tend to make a mess with their food, but now think for a moment about how your domestic cat might behave if you weren’t there to give them their food in a bowl. What if they had to find their food themselves, using their instinctive predatory behavior? If you think about your pet cat’s natural behavior, and even the behavior of feral cats or wild cats, it might give you some clues about why they sometimes play with their food.

Here are some of the normal reasons cats might play with their food:

1. They’re Hunters

Cats are hunters, which means they’re used to chasing, stalking, pouncing, and even playing with their food before they kill and eat it. Sounds unpleasant, but it’s perfectly normal for cats. Even though your cat is fed cat food from a bowl, their predatory instinct to have a bit of fun, build up some hunger, and use their hunting skills before dinner might remain.

2. It’s Fun

For cats, dinner time might also mean playtime. In the human world, it’s frowned upon to play with your food because it’s considered impolite. However, felines don’t have the same societal rules that we do. Fundamentally, playing with food is fun, especially if you’re a cat with claws, paws, and lightning reflexes.

3. They’re Bored

If your cat doesn’t have much in the way of toys or activities to keep them occupied around the house, or if they’re left alone for long periods, they might get a bit bored. If they’re bored, they’re more likely to go looking for fun wherever they can find it, which could mean playing with their lunch.

This is especially common in indoor cats who don’t get the opportunity to express their hunting behavior outside.

4. There’s Competition For Food

If you have more than one cat, a curious toddler, a cat-friendly dog, or other pets it might create a sense of competition for food. This could make eating feel like a bit of a game for your cat. On the one hand, they might bolt their food down quickly so no one else can steal it.

However, if they’re feeling confident, they might play with it for a while to show other competitors that they’ve “won.”

5. They Don’t Like The Food

If your cat is a bit of a foodie and doesn’t think your cat food offerings are up to scratch, they might turn their nose up. Just like children sometimes play with their food rather than eating it when they don’t like it, cats might do the same with their kibble.

When Should You Be Concerned?

Although playing with food can be very normal for cats, sometimes it could be something to worry about. Here’s what you should look for:

1. They’re Not Eating

If they’re not eating anything at all, it could just mean they don’t like the food. However, eating less can be a sign of lots of different health issues, from infections and stomach upset to hormonal conditions or organ failure. So, if your cat’s eating habits change, it’s always best to get advice from a veterinarian.

2. They’re Losing Weight

If your cat has started to look a little bonier, or if you think they might be losing weight, you should make an appointment with a vet. Playing with their food and eating less when their body seems to need more calories to maintain their weight could be a concern.

3. They Drop Food

Playing with food is one thing, but if your cat is dropping food from their mouth while trying to eat, there might be something wrong with their mouth. Dental disease, ulcers, or tumors in the mouth can all cause pain which can make eating more difficult.

So, if your cat keeps dropping food, eats on one side of their mouth, or cries out when they’re eating, schedule them for an oral examination at your local veterinary clinic.

4. They’re Vomiting

Nausea can have a big impact on appetite. So, if your kitty isn’t feeling like eating much, they might be feeling sick. If you notice your cat is vomiting or is going to their food bowl and just sniffing or playing with it, get them checked over by your vet.

5. They’re Drooling

Drooling in cats can be a sign of bad teeth, mouth infections, ulcers, or even a wound or tumor in the mouth. This might mean your kitty doesn’t want to eat because it’s painful. They might still go to their food bowl and mess around with it because they’re hungry, but they probably won’t eat much.

6. Their Breath Smells

Halitosis isn’t just unpleasant, it’s also a sign of certain health issues in cats. Of course, it’s unlikely that your cat’s breath is going to smell fantastic, but foul odors might mean tooth and gum disease, kidney disease, or an abscess.

Final Thoughts

It might not seem like great manners when your cat plays with their food. However, it’s part of a cat’s natural instinct to play with their food before eating it. Although there are a few warning signs to watch out for, for the most part playing with food is just part of being a curious cat. Make sure your cat has plenty of toys and gets good nutrition, then try to accept their funny ways.

Also Read: The 10 Best Cat Foods In 2022