It is relatively frequent that dogs bury their food, indeed, sometimes objects too. Behind this behaviour several kinds of reason may stand, and it is worth clarifying also when the owner must intervene.

advertisement

If someone lives in a house with a garden, they may notice mainly then that the dog buries the food. Naturally it is instinctive behaviour, which in the time of the ancestors had a serious role in ensuring survival, however by now it has not completely faded. If your four-legged one also regularly buries their food, or indeed their toys, then it is even more recommended to observe when they do that.

There Are Times When Overfeeding Stands Behind the Burying of Food

One explanation of the behaviour is to be sought in the ancient motivation: the dog is no longer hungry, however they would like to keep the remaining food safe, so that later, if they need it, it may be there. Because of this they bury the food. This points to that they probably received too much to eat. But it is typical that they scrape away the bones when they have chewed them enough. If this is not regular, or indeed only the bone, chew toy goes under the ground, then you do not need to worry about overfeeding.

Here we must note that if the dog receives bone, we must proceed very carefully. It is not all the same what kind of bone we give to our favourite and in what form, because the wrong choice may carry serious consequences. From this article of ours you may learn everything about the topic.

Very Precious Stuff

Concerning the bone let us move on to the next possible explanation: if something is very valuable for the dog, and they would not like someone else to grab it, then the burying may seem an excellent solution for them. This is why it may happen that beside a tasty leftover or bone they may also bury the toys.

Just Playing

It happens that the digging itself brings joy to the animal, and also gives them a task. This may also be the reason if from time to time they bury the toys, or even the food, bones. For some breeds, among them terriers or dachshunds, this behaviour is expressly characteristic.

They Are Anxious, or Some Kind of Trauma Affected Them

Negative experiences may also lead to the burying of the food or the toys. This may be if, for example, earlier they had to compete for the food, because of which this kind of possessive behaviour developed. But with neglected, abused and/or left-alone dogs this gesture may also be observed more frequently. Since the traumatic past is more typical in the case of rescued, shelter-adopted dogs, thus if the burying of the food appears with them, then it is worth seeking the help of an expert, for example a trainer or behavioural specialist, for solving the problem.

Must One Intervene If the Dog Buries Their Food?

And we have arrived at an important question concerning the topic: does the behaviour mean a problem, and if yes, how must the owner intervene? In the case that the dog hides the food as a consequence of anxiety or bad experience, then this underlying problem must be examined and treated.

Overfeeding must also be excluded from the possible reasons. If, however this would be the case, then simply less food must be given to the dog. About this however consult also with the veterinarian.

In another case it may cause a problem that the food is buried if it is perishable, for example raw meat or perhaps bread, which as a consequence of the burying may spoil, may mould. If later the dog consumes these, it may have health consequences.

It is recommended to ensure that the dog may not bury perishable food

How May the Behaviour Be Prevented?

• In the case that your favourite is only playing, on one hand you may set up for them a place where they may dig to their liking. This may be a fenced-off corner of the garden, or even a sandpit. More attention, shared games, as well as training may also help to occupy the four-legged one’s energies.
• If you suspect some kind of trauma in the background, then together with the expert you have called you may unravel the problem and also find the solution for it.
• And if your dog becomes ill from the exhumed food, on one hand take them to a vet, on the other hand in the future ensure that they may not bury the potentially dangerous foods. Remove the leftovers of these from them.

advertisement