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Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO
Created:Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5089
Total number of notes:60366

1234.0. "Odd habit?" by NCMWVX::EVENSON (Don Evenson @MWO DTN 446-2470) Sat Apr 02 1988 21:30

    As a new owner of a 4 month old Abyssinian (see intro in 2.158), I have
    a question. Our kitty has this strange habit of "pawing" beside his
    food dish whenever he eats. The action is very similar to that used in
    the litter box when he is finished there. 
                                              
    Two questions,                            
                                              
    1. Is this something peculiar to Aby's, or just this cat?
                                              
    2. Any theories on why a cat would want to throw dirt on his
       food? Of course there's no dirt to toss, but that's what it looks
       like he's trying to do.
                                              
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
1234.1Another digging AbyssinianNZOV07::PARKINSONReunite Gondwanaland!Sun Apr 03 1988 00:0313
    Interestingly enough, our Abyssinian, Kimi (aged 4) does the same
    thing. Our Burmese has never done this. We were told by Kimi's breeder
    that his mother did the same thing.
    
    It seems a bit like covering the food for later, but we've noticed
    that Kimi only seems to do it when he doesn't like the food, and
    he's letting us know graphically. You will, I am sure, soon discover
    that Abyssinians are absolute masters of the putdown, subtle and
    otherwise. They are definitely the bossiest cats out!
    
    Enjoy him.
    
    SLP
1234.2CIRCUS::KOLLINGKaren, Sweetie, Holly; in Calif.Sun Apr 03 1988 02:275
    Do you mean the covering up pawing, or the sort of pawing with each
    paw beside the dish when they are getting settled in to eat?  Various
    theories have been discussed in this notes file for the former,
    I have no idea what's going on with the latter.
    
1234.3X-Ref...SKIVT::P_MARGOLISPaula BethMon Apr 04 1988 12:432
    See Note 1188...
    
1234.4mine, tooMEIS::TILLSONWhen I DECW$Paint My MasterPieceFri Apr 22 1988 19:4210
    
    Our Abys do this, too.  Tanya (our little tawny aby) also makes
    the "scratch and cover" motions on the blankets on the bed before
    she lies down.  I haven't the vaguest notion why, though.
    
    Welcome to the wonderful experience of being totally owned by an
    Aby; it's an experience like no other.
    
    Rita