• @givesomefucks@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    8510 months ago

    Poop smells.

    Small non communal prey animals want to bury it so predators don’t find them.

    Ambush predators like cats want to bury it so prey doesn’t smell it.

    Herd prey don’t hide it because they’re not hiding from anyone. And pack hunters like wolves don’t for the same reason.

    So modern cats want to hide it instinctually. Their urine as well because just the tiniest hint of cat piss is enough for mice to flee a property.

    • SuperDuper
      link
      fedilink
      5910 months ago

      Meanwhile, my dog: it’s raining outside so I guess I’ll just take a shit on the deck.

      • @afunkysongaday@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        7
        edit-2
        10 months ago

        Also, I’m going to bury it. Yes I know previous poster said us pack animals don’t do that but who gives a shit I am not part of your system. I also know this deck is built out of solid wood planks so of course I am not actually burying anything, I’m just scratching up your deck really badly. But this I will do and nothing can stop me.

    • maegul (he/they)
      link
      fedilink
      English
      2610 months ago

      I’ve got cats that are so desperate to bury their urine/feces that they will dig and scrape at whatever is around to do so, including the wooden floor. We noticed this when we’d empty the litter box into a bag and leave the bag by the door to take to the bin. If a cat found the bag they’d immediately start scraping at anything around to try to bury it, no doubt because of the scent.

      • @Skyhighatrist@lemmy.ca
        link
        fedilink
        510 months ago

        Yeah, that’s pretty typical. Every cat I’ve ever known has done the same thing. Not just poop though, anything smelly must be buried.

    • Dr. Wesker
      link
      English
      1710 months ago

      Small non communal prey animals want to bury it so predators don’t find them.

    • @n3m37h@sh.itjust.works
      link
      fedilink
      410 months ago

      Their urine as well because just the tiniest hint of cat piss is enough for mice to flee a property.

      Then why do I have mice in my walls?