Have you ever given your dog a particularly tasty bone, only to watch him carry it around finding the best place to hide it? Maybe he used his nose to nudge it into the perfect position behind the sofa, or dug up the garden to bury it with no thought for your daffodils? If you wonder why he doesn’t just stop to enjoy it immediately, here are some reasons to consider.
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1) Ancestral Instinct
The most common reason for burying food is primal instinct. If we turn the clock back thousands of years to look at their ancestors – wolves – this begins to make sense. Although they have changed hugely in appearance (think Pug vs Wolf), some instincts remain ingrained in their DNA.
Wolves have a habit of burying any extra food during the summer; hiding it underground where it is protected from other animals, and kept cool so it doesn’t rot so quickly. This behaviour is called ‘caching’. They dig up the cached food during winter when food is scarce; an excellent survival tactic when your next meal is not guaranteed. Your dog probably knows exactly when to expect his next meal, but the instinct to cache still pops its head up every now and again.
Some breeds, particularly those originally bred to hunt like Terriers, Beagles, and Dachshunds for example, are more likely to bury food. Dogs will often bury highly valued items; so don’t be offended if your dog hides a delicious treat rather than enjoying it straight away, it’s high praise!
2) Anxiety
Burying food could be for a more unfortunate reason, such as anxiety. Dogs who have had to compete for food in the past, or think it may be in short supply, may try to hide food away from others to ensure they get it. They may be possessive over food because they fear it being taken away – guarding it by growling or running away with it if you approach them. This is sometimes known as resource guarding.
You may encounter dogs with food anxiety issues at rescue centres. Once re-homed, the behaviour may gradually disappear as they become settled and trusting in their new routine. But it may need careful management to train them out of this behaviour. You should seek advice from your veterinary practice, especially if there is any aggression around food, as this can escalate to bites and injuries.
3) Overfeeding
When dogs are given too much food, they have 2 options – eat it anyway, or save it for later. Many will opt for the first option which can result in them becoming overweight. However, some more picky dogs may opt to hide it instead. You should assess the amount you are feeding your dog if he regularly hides food, to make sure he’s not being overfed. A good guide for a healthy weight is that when you run your hands along his sides, you should be able to feel his ribs with gentle pressure. You can always contact your vet for a weight assessment and advice if you have any concerns.
Should I stop my dog from burying their food?
Watching your dog burying food can be a funny quirk that brings lots of laughter to the house. It can be very stimulating for them to fulfil their natural instincts and often it’s just a harmless game. However, there are some things to be aware of as this behaviour has the potential to cause some harm.
Perishable food such as meat may start to rot if left undiscovered for too long
Especially as your pet is unlikely to bury it well like his wolf ancestors would. If it is dug up and eaten when rotten, it may cause tummy upsets like vomiting or diarrhoea. If this is happening regularly, you should try to prevent it. You could stop offering the items he is prone to burying in the first place, or it may be easier to intervene after the item is buried, as trying to stop an instinctive behaviour can cause your dog some distress. Try to watch where he buries the food, then go back to remove it before he has a chance to dig it up and eat it.
Resource guarding or protective/defensive behaviour
If your dog is burying food because of anxiety or shows any possessive behaviours around food such as growling or guarding, you should seek advice from your vet straight away. Resource guarding may start as tense body language, progress to growling and even biting if they believe the item is going to be taken from them. This behaviour can extend to toys and other valued possessions, so it’s important not to let it get out of control.
Damage to property!
Lastly, it may be the least of your dog’s worries, but this behaviour can do extensive damage to your garden. Digging is a natural behaviour for your dog so can be hard to stop. Ensuring he is well stimulated in other ways with training games, enough exercise, and distracting him from digging can all help. Again, your vet can provide advice if you have any concerns.
If in doubt, talk to a vet, or get a referral to a good clinical animal behaviourist!
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