Why Do Dogs Bury Bones and Hide Toys?

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 17, 20263 min read

Dogs are descended from wild canids who sometimes had to store extra food for lean times. That instinct lingers in the family dog.

The caching instinct

Wolves and foxes bury excess food. Pet dogs may carry treats and toys away, dig a hole and cover them with their noses. Some dogs only do it occasionally, others make it a ritual. See why do dogs dig.

Why dogs do it

• Inherited instinct: save resources for later.
• High-value items: bones and chews are especially worth saving.
• Competition: multi-dog homes may prompt more hiding.
• Boredom: an interesting activity.
• Stress or insecurity: keeping items safe.
• Play: hide-and-seek with a favorite toy.

Indoor burying

Dogs without a yard may try to bury items in cushions, blankets or laundry. They may nose at the surface as if covering a hole. It is the same instinct, expressed indoors.

Is it guarding?

Hiding is not the same as guarding, but they can go together. If your dog stiffens, growls or snaps when you approach a hidden item, take the behavior seriously. See dog resource guarding explained.

Health and safety

• Spoiled food: buried bones can rot and cause stomach upset.
• Pests: food attracts rodents and insects.
• Soil bacteria and parasites.
• Damaging plants and lawns.
• Dangerous items: toxic materials may be buried and re-eaten.

Avoid giving cooked bones, which can splinter. Ask your vet about safe chews.

Managing the habit

1. Offer limited quantities of high-value chews.
2. Supervise and remove leftovers.
3. Create a digging zone where burying is allowed.
4. Provide puzzle feeders to use up energy.
5. Rotate toys to avoid overload.
6. Check hidden spots such as under cushions.

Multi-dog homes

Feed and chew in separate spaces to reduce competition. Keep an eye on dogs who steal each other's stashes.

Common mistakes

• Punishing hiding.
• Taking items by force, which can increase guarding.
• Leaving large piles of chews.
• Ignoring spoiled food in the yard.

Troubleshooting

• My dog buries items in the bed: offer a blanket or hiding box.
• My dog digs up the yard to bury: build a digging zone.
• My dog growls at stashes: call a behaviorist. See when to see a dog behaviorist.

A simple plan

1. Limit chews to one or two at a time.
2. Supervise and collect leftovers.
3. Offer a digging area and puzzles.
4. Teach a trade for stolen items.

Real-life examples

A beagle buries biscuits under garden shrubs. A small indoor dog nudges treats under the couch cushions. A lab hides his ball behind the sofa, then retrieves it later. All are following ancient instincts.

Reducing the urge to hide

Dogs who feel that resources are scarce hide more. Offer meals on a predictable schedule, give chews one at a time and avoid taking items away suddenly. Calm, steady routines help dogs relax, and many then bury less. Puzzle feeders can satisfy the urge to work for food in a safer way.

Finding hidden stashes

Check beds, couches, laundry baskets and corners for forgotten items. Remove spoiled food and wash bedding regularly. Doing a weekly sweep keeps smells and pests away, and lets you spot unsafe objects before they cause trouble.

Cooked and raw bones: a safety note

Cooked bones can splinter and cause injuries, and any bone can crack teeth or cause blockages. Ask your vet which chews suit your dog. Whatever you give, supervise and collect leftovers, so nothing gets buried that could harm him later.

The takeaway

Hiding and burying are natural. Keep it safe, tidy and fun, and enjoy your dog's squirrel-like side.