Sure, cats are domesticated now—or at least for the most part, depending on the day. But when our feline friends bury their poop, there’s one reason for this behavior: It harks back to their wild ancestors, who lived by the “leave no trace” principle. ,Q: My cat covers their poop in the litter box every time they do their business. But why do cats bury their poop? Is this normal? A: Yes, it’s completely normal for cats to bury their poop. Felines are highly renowned for their cleanliness—even when it comes to covering their feces. As with many other weird cat behaviors, this, too, is in their nature. Burying poop is deeply rooted as a survival instinct. We spoke with Mieshelle Nagelschneider—cat behaviorist, author of “The Cat Whisperer,” and owner of The Cat Behavior Clinic in Seattle, Washington—to learn more about this intriguing (and rather considerate) behavior.